No one expects to spend the holidays apart from the people they love most. The season is meant to be filled with connection, celebration, and tradition—but when your loved one is in treatment for drug or alcohol addiction, things feel different. You might miss them deeply, feel uncertain about what they’re going through, or struggle to enjoy the holidays knowing they’re not home.
With understanding and a few intentional steps, you can make the most of the season while keeping recovery at the center of your heart.
What to Expect for Your Loved One
If your loved one is spending the holidays in treatment, know that they are in a safe and supportive place. Addiction recovery centers such as Mountain Laurel Recovery Center in Westfield, PA, understand how emotional this season can be and often incorporate holiday traditions into programming to help residents feel connected and cared for.
During treatment, your loved one’s days are structured around therapy, education, group activities, and reflection. The focus remains on building coping skills, understanding triggers, and laying the foundation for long-term sobriety.
Here’s what you might expect:
- Limited communication: Treatment programs often have specific guidelines around phone calls, visits, and messages. This can be difficult, but these boundaries are designed to help your loved one stay focused on recovery rather than the distractions of the outside world.
- Emotional ups and downs: The holidays can stir deep emotions for someone in recovery. They might feel guilt, loneliness, or sadness, especially when thinking about missed family moments. The support of peers and staff helps them process these feelings in a healthy way.
- New traditions: Many recovery centers hold special meals, reflection ceremonies, or group gatherings to celebrate the holidays. While it’s not the same as being home, these moments often remind clients that joy and connection are still possible—just in a different form.
How to Support Them in Treatment and When They Return Home
Even from a distance, there are meaningful ways to show your support and encouragement. Your understanding and compassion can have a powerful impact on their motivation and confidence.
- Send letters or cards filled with encouragement. A handwritten note can mean more than you might realize. Share positive memories, express your love, and remind them that you’re proud of their courage to seek help. Avoid discussing stressful topics or expressing guilt.
- Respect treatment boundaries. If communication is limited, it’s important to honor those boundaries. Reaching out too often or pushing for updates can create stress or guilt. Trust that the treatment team is guiding the process and that your loved one is getting the care they need.
- Participate in family therapy or education programs. Many recovery centers offer family programs that help loved ones learn about addiction, recovery, and healthy ways to communicate. These sessions can help you understand your loved one’s challenges and prepare for their return home.
- Plan a calm and sober-friendly homecoming. When your loved one completes treatment, the holidays can be an emotional time to reunite. Instead of big gatherings with alcohol or late-night parties, consider planning quiet, meaningful activities. Watch a holiday movie, go for a walk, or cook a special meal together. When they return home, focus on connection, not consumption.
- Keep expectations realistic. Recovery is a journey, not a single event. Your loved one may still experience cravings, anxiety, or moments of self-doubt. The best gift you can give is your patience and belief in their ability to keep moving forward.
What to Do for Yourself
When someone you care about is in treatment, it’s easy to put your own needs aside. But your well-being matters, too. Here are some tips that can help you during this time:
- Acknowledge your feelings. You might feel sadness, worry, or even anger that addiction disrupted your family’s traditions. Allow yourself to feel those emotions without judgment. Talking to a trusted friend, counselor, or support group such as Al-Anon can help you process what you’re going through.
- Create new holiday traditions. This year doesn’t have to be a repeat of past holidays. You might light a candle in honor of your loved one’s recovery, volunteer at a local charity, or spend quiet time reflecting on gratitude. Finding new ways to celebrate can help you focus on meaning rather than loss.
- Stay connected with others. Don’t isolate yourself. Reach out to supportive friends or family members who understand what you’re experiencing. Many communities and recovery centers offer family support groups where you can connect with others who have loved ones in treatment.
- Practice self-care. Take time to rest, eat nourishing meals, move your body, and engage in activities that bring you peace. Whether it’s a walk in nature or simply enjoying a cup of tea, self-care helps restore your emotional balance during this season.
- Hold on to hope. It can be difficult to see your loved one away during such a meaningful time, but remember why they’re there. Each day in treatment is a step toward healing.
Finding Meaning in the Season
Even though this holiday season looks different, it still holds the potential for growth, reflection, and love. Your loved one’s treatment is an act of courage and commitment. It shows that they want a better life for themselves and the people who matter most to them.
At Mountain Laurel Recovery Center, we understand how challenging the holidays can be for families affected by addiction. Our team is here to support both clients and their loved ones through this time of change. If you need guidance, education, or simply someone to talk to, please contact us today.