5 Reasons Why the Holidays May Be the Best Time to Seek Help for Addiction

What’s often called “the most wonderful time of the year” can feel like the opposite to those struggling with addiction. It’s time meant for giving thanks and making memories with loved ones that will last a lifetime — but if your life is being controlled by drugs and alcohol, this isn’t always possible.

But are the holidays really the best time to ask yourself if you need to hit the pause button on your current life and enter a drug or alcohol rehab program?

At Extra Mile Recovery, we think the answer is yes — here are a few reasons why.

You Can Learn How to Avoid Temptations and Triggers in Rehab

There are many fantastic things about this time of year, but there are also plenty of situations that involve heavy drinking, reckless partying, and embarrassing interactions where you try to hide your substance use. If you’re actively abusing drugs or alcohol, all this excess can be dangerous.

In rehab, you won’t be around any of that substance use or those painful social situations. Instead, you’ll be surrounded by like-minded people working towards recovery, and professionals who care about your success, while you address your substance use disorder at a pace that you feel comfortable with.

You Can Learn to Celebrate Responsibly

Despite their meager calls at the end of commercials to “Drink Responsibly,” major alcohol producers know full well that they’ve made moves over the years to position their products as a key component of any celebration. So with so many occasions for celebration coming in quick succession, it’s easy to find yourself in an environment where people aren’t limiting themselves and get carried away yourself.

If that’s already a struggle for you, these holiday celebrations can lead to things getting worse. Rehab, however, can be a great opportunity to avoid putting your self-control to the test this year, and develop strategies and techniques for staying safe and sober for future holidays.

You Can Start the New Year with a New Mission

Every year, at the beginning of the year, people make bold changes to their lifestyle in the interest of their own health. Entering a drug and alcohol rehab program certainly qualifies as a positive, life-changing move.

Substance abuse rehab can provide a platform where you can work on building a solid, structured path forward. You’ll work with professionals who can tailor your approach to overcoming addiction and find comfort in building new fellowships with your peers to help you form a supportive foundation for recovery that will last well beyond rehab.

You Can Develop and Work Towards Long-Term Goals

After you make the decision to enter treatment, a major part of rehab is making plans and setting goals beyond rehab and into recovery. These might involve your work, relationships, house, or hobbies. Getting clean is not an easy thing to do, and requires a lot of strength, and it can help to have external goals to motivate you through the process or lean on in hard times.

At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that addiction and substance dependence are threatening your health and potentially, your life. If you have goals of spending the holidays with your family or moving up in your career, getting the help you need now is the best assurance that you’ll have for a chance to reach these goals.

Rehab Is the Safest Place You Can Be During COVID-19

This COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult on everybody, and in so many different ways. Complicating matters is the urge to gather during the holidays, to see the people you love and to unwind with them, but it comes with serious health risks.

Between the dangers of self-isolated substance abuse, and the risk of contracting the coronavirus at family gatherings or bars, an inpatient drug and alcohol rehab facility in Mississippi might be the best option. You’ll be safe from the virus in a “bubble” of screened people for the duration of your stay. And rather than feeling alone, unproductive, or worse, you can begin to carve out your new path forward in a welcoming, encouraging environment.

Find Recovery at Extra Mile This Holiday Season

Extra Mile Recovery understands the struggle surrounding addiction, particularly around the holidays, but there can be opportunity here too. We’re an all-male inpatient addiction treatment facility in Mantachie, MS, with a personalized, clinical approach to rehab, and we’re here to help with any questions you may have about addiction or inpatient recovery.

If you or a loved one is struggling, there’s no better time than now to get help: Make one confidential call to change your life today!