Staying Clean During the Silly Season

For many people in South Africa, the summer season (from October to March) is known as the silly season – a time when partying, over indulgence, relaxation and fun are normal occurrences. For recovering addicts and alcoholics in a Twelve Step help group however, this time of year can present an array of opportunities for relapse. The majority of recovering addicts do not come into contact with alcohol or drugs on a regular basis, so during the party season where many functions and gatherings have alcohol present and people over indulging, the pressure can be immense.

Many recovering addicts and alcoholics believe that a relapse is not an occurrence which simply ‘happens’. They believe that the person in question would have to be in a relatively unstable frame of mind for relapse to occur. However, even if a recovering addict is not in a vulnerable space, the Christmas season can present some incredibly difficult and tempting situations.

In South Africa, the Christmas season is not only a period in which a lot of celebrations happen for religious and family reasons, but also as it’s the height of summer, the number of parties, holidays, festivals and buzzing atmosphere is amplified. Added pressures such as family gatherings, work functions and financial difficulties can also be taxing on a recovering addict’s mental and emotional state, leading to temptation.

It works if you work it
During the period of the silly season, it is important for any recovering addict to be extra careful and vigilant in their Twelve Step help group programme of recovery. If an addict is in recovery, they should be applying themselves to their programme to the best of their ability, but even if they have not been doing so, now is the time to start. If their commitment to the programme is lacking a little, there is no better time to renew their dedication than during the party season!

One of the best things an addict can do to remain abstinent from drugs whilst keeping their sanity during this time of year is to make preparations in case they find themselves struggling. For example, many recovering addicts attending work functions, Christmas parties, family gatherings and so on are able to recognise when a situation may be dangerous, especially through discussing their plans with a sponsor (a more experienced member of the fellowship and Twelve Step help group) and if the situation is dangerous and they do have to attend, to formulate an “escape plan”.

This may sound comical and extreme, but when an addict relapses and uses, their life is at risk. If a situation is potentially a dangerous one, it is probably a wise idea for an addict to decline their invitation. However, sometimes an addict needs to attend an engagement such as work functions, family gatherings and friend’s weddings. If a social engagement is becoming tempting, addicts who have prepared a backup plan are more equipped to deal with this temptation. Such a plan could include asking another person in recovery or a ‘safe’ person to accompany them, or to arrange to be collected if they begin to crave. This will help increase the addict’s chances of getting through such difficult times without using drugs or alcohol.

Pick up the phone before you pick up a drug
Another safety practice which addicts like to use is to make sure that they are always able to contact their sponsor or another trusted person in their life such as a fellow recovering addict. Small details such as making sure that their cell phones have air time to make calls and keeping in contact with other recovering addicts is vital. Attending meetings and working a thorough programme of recovery is also imperative to staying clean, even though this is valid all year round. For an addict in recovery, extra vigilance and an awareness of potential situations, people, places and emotions which could trigger a bad craving are what could save a life.

It is important to emphasise that when a person is living a life clean of substances, they are far more responsible and productive than when they were using drugs and alcohol. This does not mean that they should become hermits and never experience any fun. Being in recovery enables an addict to be able to live a normal life again and those who hide away from society and the festivities during the silly season are not living a normal life and have missed the point of being in a process of recovery completely.

During the festive season, the world has a tendency to ignore moderation and celebrate with extremity. Whilst this is not a reason for recovering addicts to panic and become pessimistic and resentful towards their clean life and inability to join in with drinking and drugging, a sensible attitude coupled with a thoughtful and careful approach to the celebrations will help an addict in a Twelve Step help group survive the silly season clean and sober.