How to Support a Loved One in Recovery Over the Holidays

If someone you love is in recovery, in treatment, or struggling with addiction, the holidays can feel like a minefield for you, too. You may be the one searching for answers, planning the meals, and wondering what to say. This guide covers the situations families in Tampa Bay face most often: a loved one who is home and in recovery, one who is in treatment over the holidays, one who isn’t ready for help, and you. It draws on the family program at River Oaks Treatment Center in Riverview and on what’s happening around Tampa Bay this season.

Start by Asking What They Need

The most helpful thing you can do is ask. Some people who have been in recovery for a while are fine at events where alcohol is served. Others prefer to avoid them entirely. Ask what would help, and accept the answer without taking it personally. For more ideas, see our five strategies for holiday sobriety.

If Your Loved One Is Home and in Recovery

A few changes can make the season easier for both of you:

• Let them opt out without guilt. If you’re serving alcohol, tell them ahead of time and let them decide whether to come.
• Make a short visit okay. Don’t ask them to stay for the whole party. If they only feel up to a brief hello, accept their limits.
• Welcome a plus-one. A sober friend can be a built-in support and an easy exit.
• Keep the gathering alcohol-free. If spending time together matters to you, leaving alcohol out of the celebration makes it easier for them to say yes. If that isn’t possible, offer festive nonalcoholic drinks.
• Offer practical help. Your loved one may feel overwhelmed. Offer to watch kids, help cook, or drive them to a meeting.
• Skip the interrogation. Don’t ask whether they’re sure they should be there, and don’t monitor what they drink or eat. Say what you mean: “I’m glad you’re here.”
• Know the warning signs. Skipping meetings, pulling away from people, and sudden changes in mood or routine can signal that they’re struggling. Our guide to a relapse prevention plan explains what to watch for.

If a relapse happens, stay calm and don’t shame them. Relapse is often part of the journey to recovery, and what matters is getting back to support quickly. Encourage them to reach out to their therapist, sponsor, or treatment team.

Do Something Together Around Tampa Bay

Spending time together without a drink in the middle of it can mean a lot. Check each event’s details first, because some have bars or sell drinks:

• Tampa Riverwalk Lighted Boat Parade. A free holiday parade of decorated boats along the Tampa Riverwalk.
• Hillsborough River Holiday Boat Parade. A holiday boat parade on the Hillsborough River that starts from the Lowry Park Boat Ramp.
• Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. Ice skating, local shops, and holiday events downtown. It includes a cafe and bar, so plan accordingly.
• Santa Fest and the Downtown Tampa Christmas Parade. A parade along Madison Street that ends at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.
• Christmas Town at Busch Gardens. Holiday shows, treats, and animal encounters, included with park admission.

If Your Loved One Is in Treatment Over the Holidays

It hurts to have someone you love away during the holidays. Treatment now can mean a healthier holiday season for everyone later. Here is what to expect at River Oaks:

• Updates. Staff can share treatment information with you only if your loved one signs a release of information that names you.
• Phone calls. Patients can use their phones during assigned times outside groups, and the time increases as they progress. If you don’t hear from them, it may be because treatment is demanding. Some people choose not to contact loved ones for a while.
• Visits. Family visitation is offered on weekends, and times are listed on your loved one’s program schedule.
• Gifts. You’re welcome to bring gifts, which are searched at the front desk for safety. Outside food and drinks are not allowed, and alcohol-free hygiene items are appreciated.
• Family programs. We offer a weekly educational family program, plus family and couples therapy, in person or virtual.
• Discharge planning. Your loved one’s case manager builds a detailed aftercare plan, and you work with the case manager to plan their return home.

If you have concerns, you can call us at or email riveroaksclientconcerns@contactaac.com. Learn more about our family program.

If Your Loved One Isn’t Ready for Help

Watching someone refuse help is one of the hardest parts of loving them. These steps can make a conversation more likely to go well:

• Choose the moment. Pick a calm, private time when they’re sober, not the middle of a gathering.
• Lead with care. Describe what you’ve noticed and how it affects you, using “I” statements, rather than listing their failures.
• Listen. Let them respond, even if the answer is no.
• Don’t make ultimatums you won’t keep. Say only what you’re prepared to follow through on.
• Offer concrete help. Offer to help them make a call, check their insurance, or visit a program with them.

If it’s time for more structure, read our guides on whether it’s time for an intervention and on interventions.

Florida also has a legal option for families, called the Marchman Act. Under it, a spouse, a relative, or any three adults with personal knowledge of the person’s substance abuse can petition the court for an involuntary assessment and stabilization. The petition is filed with the clerk of the circuit court, and a judge decides whether to grant it. It is a serious step with legal and emotional consequences, so talk with an attorney or your county’s clerk of court before you decide.

Take Care of Yourself, Too

Loving someone with addiction is exhausting, and the holidays add pressure. We encourage family members to find support of their own, whether that’s therapy or a group like Al-Anon. Decide ahead of time what you will and won’t do, and what you’ll say if you’re asked to cover for someone or lend money. Supporting your loved one is different from enabling them. Our guides on how to stop being an enabler and codependency can help.

When to Get Help Right Away

If you think your loved one has overdosed, call 911 immediately. If they are in crisis or talking about suicide, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

If You’re Ready to Talk About Treatment

You don’t have to have all the answers before you call. Our admissions navigators can answer your questions about treatment, insurance, and what happens next, and same-day admissions are available. River Oaks offers medical detox, inpatient residential treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient programs at our Riverview facility. Call , or read our checklist of what to look for in a Tampa Bay rehab over the holidays. If you’re also looking for ways to get through the day itself, see our guide to avoiding relapse on Thanksgiving.