By Abigail Taylor-Trout, Psy.D.
The holidays are quickly coming upon us, which means annual family gatherings, feasts, shopping bonanzas, and gift-giving traditions. It’s a time for togetherness, and also a time of stress, especially for those struggling or have struggled with substance abuse and mental health.
Whether you are currently struggling or have struggled with excessive drinking or substance addiction, symptoms and triggers can be exacerbated through this time of year. And you are not alone in this struggle. The holiday season brings up stressful family dynamics, feelings of loneliness, financial struggles, or there’s more holiday events involving alcohol for your indulgence.
As a result, you may engage in an unhealthy form of coping, and rely on alcohol or other substances to “get you through the holidays.”
Though excessive drinking and substance temporarily dulls the feelings of stress, anxiety, or negative feelings, it’s an unhealthy coping mechanism that cause harm to your physical and mental health and well-being.
So, how do you break free of the unhealthy cycle of holiday drinking and substance use?
There are other, healthier ways to cope.
How to Make Steps Toward Positive Change
At Chester County Well-Being, we talk a lot about increasing self-awareness to affect positive change in your family and work life. Our therapy sessions center around empowering you with expert support and tools and techniques to tackle your substance-related challenges with clarity and confidence.
And, as a clinical psychologist, I’m passionate about supporting you in navigating the holiday stress that leads you on your path to healthier living without having to rely on excessive alcohol, sedative, or marijuana use.
So, I have a few quick tips to set your trajectory on a path of positive change. As always, remember that the content in this blog does not constitute a clinical relationship or replace the need for professional services. And, please reach out for professional help if you’re struggling with addiction and recovery.
Examine Your Triggers
Does your stress increase whenever you’re around a certain person? Are you reminded of a difficult time when you are at someone’s house? Examining triggers through identifying “people, places, and things” that cause more stress or elicit negative thoughts and feelings related to your difficulties with substance use.
Be Intentional
When we have an understanding of our triggers, be intentional about your choices. Whether it be limiting your time around certain people or removing yourself from a certain place, the goal is to be intentional with these decisions in order to reduce exposure to triggers.
Take Care of Yourself
This time of year is full of giving, but we don’t want to forget ourselves. Give yourself time and space to handle additional stressors. Find a time of day that allows you to be present and make a plan to give to yourself—for example, giving yourself extra time for sleep if stressors are affecting your sleep schedule and giving yourself the ability to set boundaries by saying no to those “people, places, and things”. Despite the nature of this time of year, it’s important to put yourself first when struggling with substance and mental health issues.
Get the Help You Need
If you’re unsure how you can handle the holiday stress alone, then let us help. We will meet you wherever you are on this path of healthier living and collaboratively work toward change. During our therapy sessions, we’ll work together to examine your triggers and create a plan that works uniquely for you.
At Chester County Well-Being, we specialize in client-centered, strength-based therapy to empower you in your journey to well-being, including addiction and recovery counseling. You can learn more about me in my bio below and contact us for more details. We’re here to support you.
*Disclaimer: The contents of this blog does not constitute a clinical relationship or replace the need for professional services.
Contact Us
Here at CCWB, we value our clients and acknowledge the courage it takes to seek professional mental health support.
Chester County Well-Being (CCWB) provides a range of mental health services to ensure we meet our community’s needs. We serve individuals, couples, and families in the Chester County area. Reach out to us here.
Our specializations include:
- Grief Counseling
- Therapy for Depression and Anxiety
- Conflict Resolution
- Work and Career issues
- Couples Counseling
- Family Counseling
- Parenting Support
- Stress Management
- Addiction & Recovery
Teletherapy
All our clinicians provide safe and secure teletherapy sessions to anyone residing in PA. Additionally, we provide telehealth options for residents of other states, depending on the clinician. Simply head to our About Us page, and click each clinician’s “read more” tab for telehealth details.
Telepsychology services are provided by Dr. Kuangparichat and Dr. Stern to clients who reside in a state that participates in PSYPACT. Find out if your state is on the list of participating states HERE.
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About the Author
Abigail Taylor-Trout, Psy.D. is a clinical psychologist at Chester County Well-Being.
Abigail is a firm believer in meeting all her clients where they are and working alongside them through their process of self-exploration in a non-judgmental and empathetic space.
Through a collaborative approach, Dr. Taylor-Trout aims to develop and enhance the skills of each client and foster a therapeutic alliance that is genuine and promotes individual growth.
Outside of her therapeutic work, she is passionate about quality time with her family, getting lost in a true crime podcast, and hitting the bag with her favorite exercise of kickboxing.