» 10 Tips For Staying Sober During The Holidays
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Especially now that I am not quite as dangerous in the kitchen. Now that I can enjoy the holidays without a substance use disorder demanding my full attention. This is the time of year to be thankful, and I am thankful that the memories I am making this year will be well remembered and that sober holidays are the new normal. And as the Grinch opined when he didn’t stop Christmas from coming, “It came! ” This is a great time to put your holiday recovery plan together.
The holidays can be exhausting, expensive and stressful. Take the time this sober holiday to meditate, exercise, sleep and eat. Right now, before the tinsel and the toasts, think about some of the things that might be threats to your sobriety this holiday season. If the annual boat parade is always a booze-cruise, you may want to give it a pass this year. And if your mother/sister/uncle gets on your last nerve, plan your answers to their probing questions and your exit strategy.
- That’s what a recovery friend called Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.
- A simple yet firm “no, thank you” is often enough, especially since long explanations and vague excuses can give you more opportunity to give in.
- You don’t drink, or you’re temporarily not drinking.
Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. You can also exit with an “Irish goodbye,” when you sneak out without telling anyone.
Look to the people you trust who will stand by your recovery program. If you know the holiday is going to be difficult, attend a meeting the night before. Schedule a call with your sponsor on the morning of the holiday. Take a breather from the party and make an outreach call during the event.
Happy Holidays!
While this isn’t the case in every situation, it is important to remember that everyone can play a role. Nearly always, the burden of sobriety falls solely to the person who isn’t drinking. While personal responsibility is paramount for anyone, it’s easier to get by with a little help from a support system.
One myth states, drinking coffee will not make a person sober. Keep an eye on those around you and make sure that they are making safe decisions regarding how they get home. The trick is to find the right friend for the job. Some people count on the friends they make during rehab. Alumni aftercare programs are a great way for you to make friends with people who can provide support when you need it.
Life
Use this time to take a quieter approach to the holidays as you find sober activities. By regularly visiting with those who can help us get through the most challenging times, we’re more likely to feel comfortable when they aren’t there. Talk to others who understand and ask for their tips for a sober holiday.
Over the past few years, there has been a rise in the sober-curious movement. As a result, a growing number of people are either being more conscious about their alcohol choices or trying out sobriety to see what they think. Marilyn Spiller is a writer, sober coach, recovery advocate, and student of the world.
Nonalcoholic beverages can be triggering for some, so your mileage may vary, but for me they were incredibly helpful. Some nonalcoholic beers made me check the label twice because they were that close to the alcoholic versions. By the next Christmas, it was easier, and by the next, I had zero desire to drink — although I know not everyone’s experience will look like mine. But for me, I couldn’t imagine wanting to tarnish the holidays with another drunken episode — or a hangover. At some point between the birth of my youngest child and his second birthday, my wine drinking ramped up.
Recovery isn’t something that you can or should do alone. On the one hand, you don’t want to compromise your recovery and slip back into old ways. However, you don’t want to be singled out or not fit into the party.
The holiday happy hours and beer advent calendars were too tempting to avoid. While holiday drinking in my youth felt purely hedonistic at the time, in hindsight it was one of the ways I measured becoming a grownup. Drinking has emboldened me linguistically, helped forge new friendships and papered over the cracks in old ones.
Remember That Its Only Temporary
If you are recovering from alcohol addiction, this broad spectrum of holiday emotions can challenge even your best intentions for recovery. Stay busy and if possible, attend sober holiday parties.
- Continuously reminding yourself why you are sober during turbulent times can be a real savior.
- It’s not your fault you are facing the challenge of addiction.
- For extra release, stick your tongue out as you exhale and make a “HAAAAAAA” sound, blowing out the air, the heat, and the stress.For a full tutorial check out this post.
- Drinking has emboldened me linguistically, helped forge new friendships and papered over the cracks in old ones.
In fact, these programs are excellent for finding a sponsor to help you stay sober this season. Celebrating a sober holiday is reason enough to be proud of yourself. And don’t forget that no matter how challenging sobriety may seem, you aren’t alone. sober holidays 12 Keys Best Rehab has plenty of resources and a caring staff to help you get through a sober holiday season. Contact us today to talk to us about long-lasting sobriety. Come up with a time in your head when you want to say your goodbyes.
Yet this time of year has been somewhat hijacked by the idea of total indulgence and consumerism; and can be quite challenging for those new, or seasoned, in recovery. The good news is there is still much to celebrate, sobriety being one of them, and there are ways to find joy in the holiday season that align with our new way of life. While the holidays are a time of celebrating with family and friends, they can also be a time of tension and stress. American culture places alcohol at the center of most of our celebrations, making the holiday especially challenging for those in recovery.
Have A Plan, Then Make Another One
You may even need to avoid them during holiday gatherings. Certain people, including family members, can be triggers that cause a relapse. Oftentimes, you have to avoid them when you feel weak. If you’re going to a party, it’s a good idea to practice sober holiday planning.
- Stay busy and if possible, attend sober holiday parties.
- You have to take responsibility for your actions.
- While you might feel obligated to attend family gatherings, you should avoid certain ones.
- Being able to turn to a friend when you experience alcohol cravings is very important.
Familiar holiday traditions and big group gatherings in a sober environment can be a big help in making the holidays feel special. Many of these events also take time during the day, when it’s less likely that alcohol will be present. If you’re looking for more ways to celebrate that deviate from the traditional party, try visiting the places you’ve been meaning to see. The holidays are a great time to catch up on historical tours, museum visits and art shows. Many places offer special hours during the holiday season to welcome guests who are visiting family from out of town.
Avoid Risky Situations
I am happily married with four kids, financially stable, and work at a church . My sobriety is stable now, but I don’t https://ecosoberhouse.com/ take it for granted. So, over the years, I’ve figured out what my triggers are and put protective measures in place.
If you can’t afford to buy each child the latest tech gadget, think of a Christmas experience you can manage within your budget. Her mother-in-law makes hateful comments in Julie’s direction regarding everything from her parenting to her weight. Julie is often criticized for her husband’s mistakes within his family. She’s seen as the reason he drinks and gets in trouble. That’s what a recovery friend called Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. Offer non-crappy nonalcoholic beverages like soda or flavored seltzers. Here’s how to make it more comfortable for those who don’t drink or who are in recovery.
Your health and stability are far more valuable than one night of holiday celebration. The holiday season is often about spending time with family members. If you have a strained relationship with your family, spending a significant amount of time with them could cause stress and even symptoms of depression or anxiety.
How To Identify Your Triggers
Not every happy moment has to be celebrated with a glass of bubbly. One of the great things about the holiday season is that there are plenty of alternatives out there. Instead of waiting for all of your friends to invite you to their next mixer or cocktail party, invite them to your sober celebration of the holidays. It fills the glasses of our friends and family members at nearly every kind of celebration, whether for a promotion, new baby or in most cases, the esteemed holiday party.
Go Into It Knowing Youre Not Going To Drink
These powerful images can give us a false sense of failure, making use feel like we aren’t meeting the standard of what the holidays should be. If you have a friend who is sober with you it could help you feel less alone and less tempted to drink or use drugs. This may not be possible for everyone, so make sure to remember to utilize your support system and have a sponsor or trusted friend on speed dial. Personally, I pray to God, but even if you’re not sure what you believe or if you believe in anything at all, I encourage you to try. I ask for help the whole way to events where alcohol will be present. I pray for myself and for the people I’m going to see. I pray to make it through this event—this day—without drinking or crying or losing my temper.
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Then you can break down those defensive walls and forgive other people, and you can approach the holiday season with a stronger sense of gratitude. On top of that, you can’t attend your home group meeting, and you haven’t heard from your sponsor in two days. Here are seven tried-and-true tips and strategies that will prepare you for the holidays, help you avoid relapse and protect you from any uncomfortable situations. Perhaps the most important tip in staying sober during the holidays is always feeling gratitude.
Schedule coffee with a recovery friend or make a counseling appointment the day after the holiday. Take an honest look at upcoming holiday events and whether it’s healthy to attend.