The holidays are filled with celebrations, reconnecting with family, and sometimes too much cheer. While holiday drinking is a long-established tradition for many, excessive indulgence can strain relationships and damage trust.
If your celebrations took a wrong turn this year because of too much drink, it's time to rebuild trust with your friends and family.
How Drinking Impacts Your Behaviour
Alcohol can lower inhibitions and impair judgment, causing you to act in ways that hurt others.
While under the influence, your actions can range from making insensitive comments to aggressive behaviour that causes emotional pain and damages relationships.
These hurtful actions can have long-lasting results, lasting until long after the holiday ends and ruining relationships if you don't repair the damage.
Start with a Sincere Apology
A genuine apology is the first step towards healing and rebuilding trust.
It demonstrates remorse, shows that you accept the pain you caused, and are committed to making things right. A sincere apology is not about excuses or justifying lousy behaviour--it is about taking responsibility for your actions.
How to Apologise and Mean It
Reflect on the Incident:Â Take time to understand what happened, why it was wrong, and how it affected others.
Choose the Right Time and Place:Â Choose a private space to talk openly and honestly.
Express Genuine Remorse:Â Be sincere in your apology. Use words like "I" to show that you are taking responsibility and not passing the blame.
Acknowledge the Impact:Â Acknowledge the hurt and damage your actions caused. Validate the other's feelings, and don't devalue the impact of your behaviour.
Commit to Change:Â Tell them the steps you will take to prevent a repeat of your actions. This could include setting boundaries, abstaining from alcohol, or getting support to help you manage your sobriety.
How to Rebuild Trust
Rebuilding trust takes time and constant effort. It requires open communication, consistent actions, and a willingness to work on the relationship.
Consistency in Actions:Â Be dependable in your words and actions. Follow through on your commitments and show that you can be trusted.
Open Communication:Â Keep the lines of communication open and honest. Be willing to listen and talk about concerns the other person may have.
Seeking Professional Help:Â If necessary, a counsellor or therapist can help you heal by showing you healthier communication strategies.
Maintaining Healthy Relationships
Preventing future incidents is key to maintaining healthy relationships. This involves:
Setting Boundaries and Limits with Alcohol:Â Stay aware of how much you are drinking. Set limits or practice abstinence.
Create Healthy Coping Mechanisms and Stress Management:Â Talk with someone about how to cope with stress and difficult emotions without using alcohol.
Taking responsibility for your actions, expressing genuine remorse, and committing to change are essential for rebuilding a damaged relationship. It will take time and effort, but the payoff of a healthy and fulfilling connection is worth it.
If you are struggling with an alcohol use disorder, book a free consultation with Reset My Future to discuss personalised strategies for recovery and support.
