Follow us on social media for your daily dose of solutions to drug and alcohol addiction. Decide ahead of time what you will and won’t put yourself through and have a “Holiday Escape Plan” in place for when it’s time to go. Make sure to have your own transportation or a dependable person in your support system who will offer you a ride when you need it.
How to cater for everyone at events
Regularly attending support group meetings provides a safe space to share your experiences, gain valuable insights from others, and reinforce your commitment to sobriety. Explore and engage in sober activities during the holidays. Seek out events and gatherings that do not revolve around alcohol. This can be an excellent opportunity to discover new hobbies, meet like-minded individuals, and enjoy the festivities without the pressure to drink. Engage in activities that bring you joy and help you relax.
RecoveryAnswers.org in 30 Seconds Addiction Treatment & Recovery
- The holidays don’t have to be difficult for people in recovery.
- Then, you and your loved ones can work together as a team to recover together and avoid holiday relapse.
- An estimated 40% to 60% of people who receive treatment for substance abuse experience relapse at some point.
- Hot cocoa, apple cider, booze-free variations of hot toddies or eggnog—the list of festive drinks you can enjoy without alcohol is quite long.
- Addiction relapse may be identifiable by physical signs of substance use, changes in behavior, or other cognitive or emotional symptoms of intoxication.
- On the other hand, identifying your triggers and strategies to manage them puts that power back in your hands.
By clearly communicating your boundaries, you empower yourself and others to respect your decision to stay sober. Mindfulness and self-care practices can be powerful tools in maintaining sobriety during the holiday season. Take time for yourself, practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation, engage in activities that sober holidays bring you joy, and prioritize your overall well-being. The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but for individuals in recovery, it can also be a time of increased stress and temptation. It’s important to recognize and address these challenges head-on to maintain sobriety and enjoy a healthy and fulfilling holiday season.
Addiction Treatment Programs
There may be a community in your neighborhood that is celebrating without alcohol. You can check out different groups on meetup.com or you can search for sober meetup groups. You can also celebrate with mutual support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous. Members will often organize sober holiday events and it can be helpful to surround yourself with others in recovery. If you know that you are going to be around family members, friends, or colleagues that will trigger you to misuse drugs or alcohol, plan ahead. You can create a relapse prevention map that you can refer to throughout the event.
Sober Holidays: 5 Tips for a Brilliant Booze Free Break
The best way to manage triggers is to avoid them altogether, especially early in recovery. Keep building on your recovery foundation and reevaluate the party invites next year. «Attend gatherings with a friend who’s also sober or understands your journey,» Sultan said. Several strategies can help mitigate the temptation to drink with family, friends, or coworkers. Consider looking for additional support during the holidays through a recovery support group, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
The Role of Alcohol at Family Gatherings and Holiday Events
According to the NIAAA, people who drink alcohol while in the sun are less likely to apply sunscreen in the first place. Alcohol also lowers the sun exposure levels needed to burn, which can increase the risk of skin cancer. Choose at least 30 SPF and use a full ounce of sunscreen, experts previously told USA TODAY. A year ago, if you’d asked what my favourite thing to do on holiday was, I would have probably said “drinks by the pool”, or “a nice glass of wine at a lovely restaurant”. When you experience a relapse, taking more self-care can help you physically, mentally, and emotionally.
- The holidays can be stressful, but stay as busy as possible.
- We’ll help you develop coping skills, find healthy outlets for stress, and build a support network to help you through tough times.
- Isolation and loneliness can be major triggers for relapse, especially during the holidays.
- Whether it’s peer pressure from friends or family members who are drinking, the holidays can be a difficult time to say no.
- For a gift exchange, it can be fun to have a white elephant grab bag where everyone brings a gift for under ten dollars.
Tips for Staying Sober Through the Holidays
However, for people in recovery, it can remind them of all the negative things that happened in the past year. During the holiday season, it’s important to find ways to enjoy and even host festivities without alcohol. One great alternative is mocktails, which are alcohol-free drinks that can be just as delicious and festive. You can experiment with new, alcohol-free recipes and create your own signature mocktails.
For many people, the holiday season is a time to relax and let loose. There’s an increased focus on family, friends, and festive activities, all of which can trigger memories of past drinking or drug use. Add to that the pressure of gift-giving and attending parties, and it’s no wonder that so many people struggle to stay sober during the holidays. Planning also involves thinking about who you are going to go on your first sober holiday with.