Every late-November through December we are encouraged—sometimes even pressured, directly and indirectly—to celebrate the holidays that mark each year’s conclusion. Regardless of how difficult the holidays may be, focus on the fact that you are alive and sober today. The holiday season is just one small part of your journey – there is so much more ahead. Twelve-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous can be extremely helpful during the holidays. Attending meetings will remind you why you’re staying sober and give you tools to deal with temptation when it arises. The holidays can be stressful, but stay as busy as possible.
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Plan ahead, surround yourself with supportive people, and stay connected to recovery resources. If you or a loved one need guidance or support this holiday season, Buckeye Recovery Network is here to help. Contact our team to learn more about our outpatient addiction treatment services.
Avoid Risky Situations
The holidays have a way of being the most wonderful time of the year, yet also being filled with plenty of temptations and triggers. Parties with family, food, travel, and shopping…it’s not easy to put your sobriety first among all the chaos. If you’re a recovering addict, it’s easy Drug rehabilitation to feel lost amid the joyful commotion. Your recovery community becomes a lifeline when facing holiday challenges.
Ioana has a Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and has been a freelance writer for over ten years. Ioana uses her passion for psychology, research, and mental health to create reliable resources on various topics relating to addiction and treatment. Let them know your commitment to sobriety and what kind of support you need from them. Moreover, focusing on the pleasant experience of non-alcoholic drinks and meals increases your satisfaction and reduces the fear of missing out on festive alcohol consumption. Keeping physically active during the holidays can reduce stress and improve your overall well-being.
The world of festive-but-free beverages is exploding, with everything from 0 percent cocktails to non-alcoholic wine. Or, simply concoct a mocktail and add a distinct bag charm or keychain to your glass. The more you say no, the easier it will roll off of your sober tongue. Practice saying no thank you in front of a mirror or with a trusted friend. Incorporate meditation or mindfulness techniques into your routine to create mental space between triggers and reactions.
Practice Self-Care During Family Gatherings
- You have to take care of yourself and fill your own bucket.
- Pour your drink into a wine glass to avoid peer pressure and ward off uncomfortable conversations.
- And if you’re going to a party with alcohol, eat something beforehand, so you’re not tempted to drink on an empty stomach.
- The holidays are a short period, but your recovery is worth protecting.
If you’re worried about navigating holiday triggers, our team is here to help you build a plan. Reach out to New Choices Treatment Centers in San Antonio today for immediate, compassionate support. Contact your treatment provider, therapist, or a facility like New Choices Treatment Center if you notice these patterns intensifying. Seeking help proactively demonstrates strength, not weakness. These practices will enable you to observe cravings without giving in to them, recognizing that they are temporary sensations rather than commands. From work to managing family and friend obligations, one can easily become overwhelmed.
You deserve a holiday season defined by clarity, health, and hope, not pressure or fear. The holiday season can amplify early warning signs of relapse. Understanding these signals helps you intervene before they escalate. Motivational interviewing (MI) is central to Cenikor’s person-centered, empowerment-based approach. It helps you reconnect with why recovery matters, which can immensely help while crafting ways to stay sober during the holidays. Every decision to remain sober, especially in challenging environments, is a victory.
A relapse can be defined as a return to drug use after a period of abstinence. It can be a difficult and frustrating experience, but it is important to remember that it is not a failure. If you are newly clean and sober, we want to extend you some hope. Feel confident that the best years of your life lie ahead of you. The 12-step programs (Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous) offer many promises.
- For this reason, the holidays can be tough and anxiety-provoking for people who are in addiction recovery.
- Recovery from drug or alcohol addiction is a major achievement.
- To increase the chances of success at sobriety, ask your friends and family to share any organizational responsibilities you may have.
- While you don’t owe anyone an explanation for your healthy choices, filling your glass with a nonalcoholic beverage is one way to avoid drink offers.
These signs can include feeling restless, irritable, or having racing thoughts about using substances. You may sober holidays also experience sudden mood swings or physical sensations like tension in your chest, sweating, or an increased heart rate. We have some ideas about how to strengthen your recovery, including eight tips for staying sober during the holidays. Are you looking for more information about how you can stay sober this holiday season, or how you can help someone else stay sober? There are numerous online resources with information surrounding treatment programs, support groups, and additional tips on staying sober throughout the holidays. Getting through the holidays sober can be a challenge, particularly for people in early addiction recovery.
One of the most effective ways to stay sober is to plan ahead. Consider hosting your own free-from-alcohol gathering where you control the environment. Having a solid plan allows you to avoid events where alcohol consumption may be the focus. Let trusted friends or family members know about your goals for the season. Share your plans to stay sober and communicate how they can support you.
The better you feel physically and emotionally through self-care, the stronger you’ll be, which means you’ll likely have an easier time staying sober during the holidays. The holidays often involve alcohol-centric gatherings, family dynamics, and increased social obligations, which can be daunting. Emotions like loneliness, stress, or grief can also arise, potentially triggering past behaviors. Before diving into solutions, it’s essential to understand the specific challenges that can arise during the holiday season. Knowing what to expect can make it easier to navigate situations where alcohol or other substances may be present. Whenever you feel like you could use more support this holiday season, you can reach out to a helpline.
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- Being open about your liquor-free lifestyle with friends, family, and your support group can make a significant difference.
- 9 Many people in recovery find it useful to recruit a helper for moral support.
- A few key components are essential for maintaining a healthy and successful recovery.
Travel plans, social obligations, and packed schedules can interfere with your ability to attend therapy sessions, recovery meetings, or engage in self-care practices. This disruption to your usual structure can leave you feeling ungrounded and more vulnerable to triggers. Planning is crucial when it comes to staying sober during the holidays. Before attending any event, think through the scenarios you might encounter and develop strategies to handle them. This could include deciding in advance what drinks you’ll have, identifying a support buddy who can help you if things become tough, or even planning an early exit strategy.