CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- With Halloween nearing and the holiday season close behind, celebrations some look forward to every year can actually be a source of stress for those in recovery from addiction. Health experts provided tips to make the most of this time of year. At Avenues Recover y in Chesterfield, residents still get into the Halloween spirit. Decorations can be seen around the facility, and Clinical Director Euronda Travis said she was looking forward to decorating some pumpkins. "You can want to enjoy the holidays and not risk your recovery," Travis said. If holiday activities center around partying and drinking, Travis said they can be triggers for those in recovery from addiction to alcohol or drugs. However, it's still possible to celebrate and stay sober. Travis said it comes down to making smarter plans. "Alternative things to bars and parties could be volunteering, handing out candy with your support group or with the church," Travis said. "Doing things, volunteering at your kid's school, things that you don't automatically associate with drugs and alcohol." If Halloween has centered on partying and drinking in the past, Travis said it can be hard to change that mindset. "There's a lot of instinct to isolate," Travis said. "Because it is hard to integrate yourself into activities that have not always been sober activities. You don't want to be the friend in recovery. You just want to be the friend, right?" Travis said if you have a friend you know could be struggling, reach out. "Ask them what their plans are, if they would like to make plans," Travis said. "Also give them a soft out. 'Hi, I'm going to X event. Would you like to go? If not totally understand, maybe we could do something else.'" "Don't assume that they don't want to celebrate the holiday, because in most cases they do," Travis said. ...read more read less