Managing our recovery can be very confusing for our family and close friends. This is because they often don’t know how to interact for fear of “triggering” us and causing us discomfort. Ultimately, their timidity is a very thoughtful gesture. It is our job, as sober people, to show them that we are living our best lives in recovery, and they need not worry or be timid around us. Eventually, this will help them navigate being at events with recovering alcoholics, celebrating holidays with recovering alcoholics, and buying gifts for recovering alcoholics.
Gifts for Recovering Alcoholics
When it comes to buying gifts for recovering alcoholics, it is important to remember that our likes and dislikes probably haven’t changed much since getting sober. In fact, we have probably increased our focus on what we like and love because we are not wasting all of our time in active addiction. For example, if a loved one liked surfing before getting sober, chances are they still like it now.
However, there are many gifts that make more sense to give now that a loved one is in recovery. These gifts include books on recovery, music, and other media that are centered on recovery, as well as gifts that focus on positive activities, such as coupons for a workout class or cooking class.
There are also many gifts that veer away from alcohol but still dabble in that world. This might be a gift certificate to a non-alcoholic-centric bar or a recipe book for mocktails. However, when it comes to these gifts, it is important to feel out where that person is in their recovery. These gifts may be slightly triggering in early recovery.
Avoiding Stigma Toward Addiction
When it comes to being around recovering alcoholics, it is also important not to stigmatize addiction. This is more common than many people may think.
There are three types of stigma that often surround alcoholism and substance use disorder (SUD). According to the peer-reviewed journal, Current Opinion in Psychiatry, “The first [stigma], stereotyping, occurs when public conceptions link labeled individuals to negative characteristics; e.g., viewing people with SUDs as dangerous. The second is emotional reactions: the affective responses to stigma endorsed by the general public (e.g., fear, disgust) towards those with SUDs. The third concept, status loss and discrimination, occurs when individuals with SUDs are perceived as less valued and treated unjustly (i.e., discriminated against) by others.”
It is also true that people may stigmatize alcoholism and other addictions by misclassifying them. For example, many people still think of addiction as some type of moral failing or “choice.” This is simply untrue. Addiction is a disease. According to the peer-reviewed journal, Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience (JPN), “[Addictions] share characteristics with other medical diseases, yet have their own unique features. As with type II diabetes, hypertension, and many cancers, there are genetic, biological, and environmental influences. As with Tourette syndrome, patients can inhibit their compulsive behaviours, yet sustaining these choices is difficult and contextually modulated.”
Feeling Comfortable Around Recovering Alcoholics
Lessening the stigma surrounding addiction (and recovery) also helps everyone to feel more comfortable around each other. This is true if you are a recovering alcoholic or if it is one of your loved ones.
This is also important because it opens up the critical pathways to honesty that can help an individual in recovery stay sober. For example, if there is a good comfort level in a relationship, then there is a greater likelihood that someone is going to say something if they are noticing the signs and symptoms of a potential relapse.
Celebrating Recovery
It is critical that recovery be celebrated. That is why recovery anniversaries or “birthdays” can be so important. They are a good reminder of all of the hard work that both the individual in recovery and their loved ones have put into the process of recovery.
Celebrating recovery is also a great way of showing other people that recovery is possible. We must always remember that recovery is a “We” program and never a “Me” program. It takes everyone working together to cultivate a healthy sober community.
It should also be the primary purpose of those who have been given the gift of sobriety to help others. This is how the critical cycle of recovery happens. Those who have gotten it give it away to others. It is the beautiful paradox of recovery – you have to give it away to keep it.
A Focus on Long-Term Success at The Phoenix Recovery Center
Here at The Phoenix Recovery Center, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” That is why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive, with a focus on the future.
If you are ready to give up the struggle and succeed, the time is now. You can do this! We can help.
There are many thoughtful and supportive gift ideas that celebrate recovery and encourage continued progress on the sober journey. These include supportive and meditative books, coupons to healthy activities (like workout and cooking classes), and invitations to participate in sober, worry-free parties. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the right road to long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. To begin your healing journey complete this short form or call The Phoenix Recovery Center at (801) 438-3185.
