Although the holidays are a wonderful time for many people to celebrate with friends and family, it is also a time for depression, anxiety, stress, and despair. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, these feelings are a few of the reasons some people begin or relapse into using ketamine. Fortunately, there are ways to stay away from ketamine during the holidays, particularly if you are feeling the stress of the holiday season.

1. Volunteer Your Time

Volunteering is an excellent way to stave off loneliness and help out at the same time. During the holiday season there are many volunteer opportunities available. You can:

• work at a homeless shelter,
• volunteer at a rehab,
• give out presents for charity organizations,
• prepare meals for those who cannot,
• deliver meals to those in need,
• help cook meals for the homeless,
• wrap presents for Christmas toy drives,
• help collect presents for toy drives,
• work in booths during holiday charity events,
• join an animal rescue or rehab, and
• help out at your local animal shelter.

Many organizations are glad for the help this time of year when their regular volunteers are busy with other activities or on vacation.

2. Stay Busy with Mundane Tasks

Occupy your time with fun tasks to avoid ketamine cravings.

Clean your house or reorganize your garage or attic. Stay busy. The less time you have on your hands the less likely you will be to seek out ketamine. Keeping busy is an excellent way to both get things done and avoid drug use. If you are thinking of using, find something else to occupy your mind. Unfortunately, television does not usually work for this purpose.

Try to find something physical, that you actively have to participate in such as sports, cleaning, or other organizational tasks. If your home is already cleaned and organized, offer to help out a friend or family member that is preparing for a holiday party.

3. Utilize your Support Network

Your support system is there for a reason. Call on those that you have in place to help you avoid the holiday blues and stress. They are there to help. Explain to them what is going on and why you need their help.

4. Join a Group or Organization

During the holidays, there are group activities that you can join such as carolers, Santas, the holiday elves, and others whose purpose is to spread holiday cheer. This will help you meet people and get you out of the house. Sometimes when holiday depression and the desire for ketamine takes hold simply being around others helps to lighten the mood and prevent you from using.

5. If you Truly Feel you are Going to Use Get Professional Help

Sometimes you need a helping hand that only a professional can provide. There are many inpatient and outpatient options available during the holidays. If you need information on an inpatient or outpatient ketamine rehab, call us at 800-915-1270 (Who Answers?). We can get you to the help that you need.