7 Tips to Survive the Holidays Sober

Whether you’re celebrating at a family gathering, work function or holiday party, it can often feel like many activities are centered around drinking. As a result, it can be easy to feel alienatedwhen you stop drinking. Many newly sober people may feel as if they’re out of place at events where others are drinking socially. Turnbridge operates leading mental health and substance abuse treatment programs throughout Connecticut. This blog is a resource for people seeking addiction and mental health recovery information and inspiration, and the latest Turnbridge news and events. Some families might consider the holidays an inappropriate time to help a loved one get into addiction treatment when, in fact, it could be an ideal opportunity.

• Note this is written for people who plan to be around other people.
• Whatever your response may be, have it ready so you aren’t caught off guard.
• You turn down a glass of red wine at a family dinner and deny yourself a champagne toast at the stroke of midnight to welcome the New Year.
• Does three hours with your mother leave you craving a drink?
• Call your local United Way or house of worship for information on help with holiday meals and gifts for children.

Celebrating holidays without drinking and drugs can be hard when you feel like everyone around you is experiencing the season without a care. But what others are doing is not what matters. What matters is that you continue to take care of your body, mind, and soul. The disease of addiction becomes more powerful during the https://ecosoberhouse.com/ holiday season. It’s important to remember that recovery is a one-step at a time endeavor, no matter the season it is in. Come up with a time in your head when you want to say your goodbyes. If something comes up that makes you uncomfortable or proves to be too much of a temptation, that’s also a cue to head for the door.

Get your sobriety toolbox ready.

I also give myself permission to leave and do not have to justify my decision to anyone. My sobriety is my most precious gift, and I have the right to protect it without having to make people understand. It’s non-alcoholic and sober holidays doesn’t taste like alcohol, but it’s in a bottle and feels more special than drinking pop out of a plastic cup. Remember, as a host, it’s your party and you can imbibe if you want to, but others may not have the luxury.

You don’t push sobriety on others or ask them why they do drink, and you are not required to justify or explain your choice. You don’t drink, or you’re temporarily not drinking. I didn’t engage in conversations about cows or chickens, and I didn’t feel sad about not eating the gravy. I just didn’t eat meat or meat products, and that was it. The holidays can be a fun and exciting time of year, but also a stressful and emotional time as well.

The Multiple Pathways to Recovery

That friend can remind you of why you’re having a sober holiday and the good things that will follow if you make it through this situation without a drink. Think about that moment when you can step back, look at what you accomplished and feel proud. For the first few weeks of your sober holiday planning, track the times when you’re tempted to have a drink. In the future, when you come up against similar triggers, have a plan for how to respond to them.

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. Forewarned is forearmed and with a solid plan, you’re going to make it through this sober holiday season with bells on, whether you are in recovery for a month or ten years. At social events and family gatherings, it might be wise to stay around your favorite non-alcoholic beverage.

Avoid Risky Situations

Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome is a group of symptoms that occurs as a result of abstinence from addictive chemicals. If you’re new to recovery, PAWS can impact sleep, concentration, coordination, memory and emotional reactions. Healthy food, regular schedule and loved ones who are educated about the disease of addiction are key to managing PAWS during the sober holiday season. Parties don’t have to be off the market if you’re trying to stay sober. But if it’s your first sober holiday, it can be more of a challenge — remember to be selective with the events that you attend. It’s not bad to say no to a party that seems to have a heavy focus on alcohol, or where the hosts tend to be those who celebrate with booze.

• For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.
• Groups including veterans and first responders often have additional sober holiday challenges.
• Follow old family traditions or start some of your own.
• This act of vulnerability not only benefits you directly but can also be viewed as an act of service to the individuals you are reaching out to.

By not drinking and using, you’re able to keep yourself and your loved ones safe on the ride home. Sober holidays also mean guilt-free mornings. You don’t have to wake up worrying about what you might have said the night before, or embarrassing things you might have done. You’ll remember everything you said and did – so even if you spit out some faux pas, at least you’ll know about it. If you’re trying to get through the holidays without drinking, I’ll share a few things that helped me.

Recovery and the Holidays: Tips for Celebrating Sober

Pop a hard candy in your mouth when you feel yourself getting nervous or worrying about what other people might think. Move on to another part of the room or change the group of people you might be surrounded by. No matter what’s causing you to have a less than stellar time, find a way to change it. Remind yourself that just one drink usually leads to more. Think of all the work you’ve already accomplished to get to this point, whether you have gone through recovery or rehab or spent time away from your family. You’ve come so far and you have accomplished so much. Remember that every sober day brings your next accomplishment.

For many of the reasons mentioned earlier, substance abuse tends to ramp up over the holidays. Addiction treatment initiated during the holidays could be the best gift you give to your family, your friends and yourself. For many of the reasons mentioned above, there is more of a need for substance abuse treatment over the holidays. Think of utilizing these helpful tips during the holiday season or attending addiction treatment as a gift to yourself. Once the holiday time rolls around, it’s more susceptible for individuals struggling with substance abuse to struggle with staying sober during the holidays. It’s a challenge during this time of year to stay in abstinence and recovery during the holidays.