The holidays are around the bend and while fun, cheerful, and positive, it also brings added stress with money, travel, and scheduling suddenly taking a priority in one’s life.

For those who have an active addiction, their stress is amplified for the reasons mentioned above as well as a couple others.

There are one of two likely scenarios that approach one with an active addiction during this time:

• They have to hide the addiction from their friends and family.
• Being in a familiar setting might force the addict to face underlying issues that are the root cause of the addiction.

This can seem inevitable since people are socialized to around friends and family during the holidays, there are strategies to get past this time.

• If you know your family is going to ask some uncomfortable questions, practice answering them prior to seeing them.

People will use this strategy become making a public speech. Those who practice their answers will feel more comfortable responding to questions that they do not want to answer. If there is someone around that can do a little role-playing with you do it! Having someone ask you different questions will make you more comfortable and adaptable when the time comes.

• If your family prides themselves on achievement or stories that trigger negative emotions, practice your reactions.

Bringing up the past can lead to unhealthy thoughts and practicing reactions such as smiling or laughing. Being prepared will tame your body and mind’s natural stress response in what can be tossed your way.

• If you know you will encounter people who influenced your addiction in the past, act those scenarios out.

People are great influencers and knowing how to combat their persuasion is key. Acting out how the conversation between you and person X, who wants to smoke, will make you more confident in handling the situation when it arises.

The holidays bring stress to everyone, addicted or not, and finding ways to prepare yourself will help you prevent relapse back into addiction.