In Clement Clarke Moore’s beloved holiday poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (often called “The Night Before Christmas”), the poet describes children on Christmas Eve:
The children were nestled all snug in their beds;
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
You might well wonder just what a sugar plum is (if so, here is your answer), but you probably would quickly acknowledge that sugar in one form or another plays a significant role in our approach to the big year-end holidays. There are cakes and pies and cookies and fudge and candy and cocoa and on and on. It is all delicious—and seemingly unavoidable.
Sugar, however, can be problematic for a person in recovery from a substance use disorder for reasons beyond potential weight gain or tooth decay. And the sheer amount of sugar on offer during the holiday season can change a potential problem into an actual problem in a hurry.
What is the danger and how can you avoid it? We are glad you asked.
The Dangers of the Sugar Rush
Most everyone is familiar with sugar rushes—the feeling of almost euphoric energy that is frequently followed by a significant crash. While these rushes are often associated with children, they certainly impact adults as well.
For a person in recovery, that cycle of a rush followed by a crash can mimic the cycle of substance use. That is to say, a sugar rush can remind your brain how it felt to use drugs—and that reminder can quickly lead to cravings for the very substances you have worked so hard to leave behind.
Now, that might seem unlikely to you. After all, few people would suggest that a slice of pie or a cup of cocoa or a cookie shaped like a Christmas tree is particularly similar to drugs or alcohol. But in the brain, the dopamine response to sugar resembles the response you might once have triggered through substance use. As a result, overindulgence when it comes to sweet treats can be a threat to your recovery.
But even if sugar does not lead you directly back to drug use, it can still be a problem in recovery.
A Different Kind of Sugar Substitute
We are all familiar with the various sugar substitutes that are on the market. For a long time, companies and consumers have been looking for a sweet but healthier option to replace sugar.
For our purposes here, however, when we are talking about substitutes and sugar, we are focused on what are known as substitute addictions.
A person in recovery from a substance use disorder can sometimes find themselves struggling with a different sort of addiction. Gambling might become a problem, for example. Or they might find themselves working many more hours than their job requires. Excessive exercising—which turns a healthy habit into a problem—can also be a substitute addiction.
Issues around food can also become substitute addictions. That includes developing an issue centered on sugar. Given that sugar can mimic the effects of substance use, it makes perfect sense that a person given to addictive behavior might find themselves consuming too much of the sweet stuff.
What to Do When Sugar Is Not So Sweet
We have noted that sugar can seem inescapable during the holiday season. In fact, it can be pretty darn prevalent throughout the year. As a result, it is important to have a sugar strategy in recovery.
Committing to moderation is a good first step. During the holidays, that might mean focusing on really enjoying one cookie rather than snarfing down three or four. It might mean drinking a little less cocoa or passing on a second piece of pie. Making thoughtful choices around food is always a good idea—and that is certainly true when it comes to sugar.
It is also important to remember that you can turn to your support system if you find you are struggling with sugar. You can talk it through in your recovery meetings or with your sponsor. You can talk with your therapist. You can even ask a supportive friend or family member to discreetly help you keep an eye on your sugar intake at holiday gatherings.
You can keep your holidays sweet if you keep an eye on how much sugar is in the mix.
We Can Help When Visions of Recovery Dance in Your Head
We admit that “visions of recovery” is not as evocative an image as “visions of sugar-plums” when it comes to ideas that might dance in your head. Still, if you are struggling with drugs or alcohol, we sincerely hope that visions of a life in recovery are on your mind. The sooner you act on that vision, the better.
At The Farley Center, located in Williamsburg, we provide personalized, evidence-based treatment plans to help each person we serve put drug or alcohol use behind them. Medically supervised detoxification and robust rehabilitation are at the heart of our program. But our work does not end there. You can count on us to provide ongoing support via our alumni program. That program also keeps you connected to other Farley Center alums who understand your journey and your challenges.
Take it from us: nothing is sweeter than recovery.
