12 Tips on How to Stay Sober During the Holidays

Going through the holidays can be difficult, but with the support of others, you can reduce the risk of relapse. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or substance abuse, please contact team for more information on our recovery programs.

Sobriety is a tool to help you achieve your goals and dreams. When you are struggling internally about whether to reach for that drink, remember why you are not drinking anymore. Is it because you weren’t as present with your loved ones are you wanted to be? Were people around you unsafe because of your state of mind? Did you struggle to excel at work or in your career because you were derailed by being under the influence?

Benefits of Recovery Life Coaching for Addiction Treatment

While it may seem like you are breaking tradition, it’s crucial to keep your sobriety as your top priority. Remember, alcohol and drugs both kill and ruin lives, relapsing won’t help anyone. For those that have been in recovery from substance use disorder for a while, some of the greatest joy and inner freedom has come to you from staying clean and sober. It’s important to protect yourself from relapse during this holiday season where the alcohol, excitement, and emotions flow more readily than usual. Self-care is a simple, yet essential strategy for helping to prevent relapse in addiction recovery, especially during a busy or stressful holiday season.

• Friends and family are making plans for the nights ahead – and many are already shipping and settling in for holiday break.
• All too often, addicts are recycled through drug rehab treatment facilities across the country, where they are given the basics of recovery, but little else.
• In your mind, you might think it’s blaringly obvious to the people around you that you’re choosing to be sober and that it’s a big deal for you.
• Develop a plan to protect your sobriety ahead of any holiday event and activity that could potentially trigger relapse to substance abuse.
• The practice of meditation in a hot room where you sweat away distractions is challenging, but it’s also a great way to forget about your worries.
• When you allow your sobriety to guide your choices, you’ll end up making smarter decisions.

Sometimes, it’s easy to distract yourself from a party temptation by bringing sugar-free pocket candies. 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. Here are some tips for having an all-round ball without a drop of alcohol.

Which Holidays Are Tough For People In Recovery?

Maybe it’s difficult for you to get through those quiet evenings or weekends at home where you only worry about the next family gathering or work social. If you find yourself struggling with the upcoming holiday festivities, there are plenty of opportunities for you to get involved in other activities during the holidays. As warmer days turn cold, don’t become stressed as you turn the calendar another month closer to the holiday season. Worrying about challenges that might arise won’t help. Instead, recognize that there might be some issues, and address them before they pop up unexpectedly.

Connecting with others in recovery can boost your commitment to your continued sobriety. No, you do not deserve that drink or drug because it’s been a bad year. Your recovery is much too precious to go down that road. Replace negative thoughts sober holidays with positive ones as soon as you detect them. Odds are that you are experiencing a lot of emotions this time of year, which can add even more to your plate. It’s okay to say no whenever you need to and put yourself first this holiday season.

Tips to Stay Sober on Vacation

It’s easy to drive through a light display or visit a live Nativity scene. Several churches also offer support programs for people overcoming addiction. Being able to pair your religious practices with your sobriety can often help you feel more secure in the process. Keep in mind that there’s no need to be ashamed of your past or the journey you’re on now.

Setting boundaries can be uncomfortable and challenging, especially for people in recovery. However, it is important to know and respect your limits. Your family and friends will prefer that you protect your sobriety rather than put yourself in a situation that might increase the chances of relapsing.

Find A Support Group

Even worse, you may feel different, weak, or inadequate for having a problem with drinking, to begin with. If you’re traveling, plan to attend a meeting wherever you will be and plan in advance.

Many of our staff are in recovery themselves and know firsthand how hard it can be—especially to stay sober during the holidays. Planes don’t have “no alcohol” sections, so the person right next to you might order something alcoholic. Ideally, fly with someone you know, someone who knows you are in recovery and will avoid drinking during the trip. If you’re flying alone and feeling vulnerable, explain your situation to the flight attendant. Ask if he can help you change your seat if anyone next to you orders anything stronger than tomato juice.

That’s what a recovery friend called Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. As mentioned, consider doing an alternative gift-giving approach this year. Pollyanna and white elephant are both great choices that can make for a fun exchange. Get plenty of rest, watch what you eat, get your usual exercise, and take time for meditation. Maintain your recovery routine as much as possible. Plant that thought in your mind right now, and think about it every morning. Stick a note on your bathroom mirror to remind yourself to think about itevery day.

• When it comes up, you look for something to take off the edge.
• Turn off electronic devices for a set period of time each day, including 30 minutes before bedtime.
• When she needed a break, she locked the bathroom door and took five minutes to get quiet and read a slogan.
• Many times, we then want to try to ‘make up’ for that pain that was caused.
• Serve a meal at a homeless shelter, reach out to a newcomer at a meeting, spend time with an elderly loved one or neighbor.
• Don’t allow someone you dislike or have a hard time seeing get in your head.

If people ask questions about why you are not drinking, remember that you are not obligated to explain yourself. When you are trying to https://ecosoberhouse.com/ stay in recovery from addiction, especially during a vulnerable time such as the holidays, you don’t want just anybody on your side.

Holiday blues can be brought on by changes in the weather, changes in your social calendar, stress, or loneliness. It’s common for people who are sober to feel anxiety around the holidays. Lastly, it can also be helpful to have a non-alcoholic beverage in hand to avoid people offering you a drink. While these are effective alternatives to AA and NA, they are also newer programs and offer fewer meetings.