The Holiday Season can bring great joy, but also be stressful for anyone with substance use issues. For teens and adolescents struggling with substance use disorders, extra stress brought on by the holidays can trigger use or relapse.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse notes the importance of human interaction during this time of year and encourages relatives and friends to reach out - in person or virtually - to someone with a substance use disorder to offer support.
Other suggestions to help kids who may be struggling this holiday season include:
Discuss potential triggers with your child - understanding what their triggers are such as stress, certain people, or different environments, can help to minimize them. Talk with your child about how to recognize trigger warning signs and create a plan to combat them.
Ensure that basic needs are being met - common triggers can stem from feelings and emotions caused by being Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired (HALT). Provide a variety of healthy food/snacks and encourage plenty of rest.
Seek out support - encourage your child to talk with a trusted adult, counselor, or health care provider to find strategies to get through challenging times and situations.
Try something new - suggest an activity that can improve a child's mindfulness or self-care - yoga, meditation, or massage. Create a new family tradition such as volunteering at a nonprofit organization. Helping other can shift the focus to something positive to make everyone feel good.
Model good behavior - be mindful that your kids are always watching and listening. Adolescents tend to imitate their parents' behavior so be a good role model.
Most of all, caregivers should try to remain calm and supportive. If you notice clues that your child is falling into harmful ways, let them know that you are there to help. It can make all the difference.
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