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However, if you’re not quite ready to talk about sobriety with others, especially strangers, it’s perfectly fine to use another response instead. You can simply say you don’t feel like drinking, or offer another excuse like you’re a designated driver or that you have to be up early.
At family gatherings and social events, tote around your favorite non-alcoholic drink. People won’t feel so inclined to offer you a drink, and they won’t get the chance to pester you about your sobriety. We also offer several other programs for those who prefer to continue living at home and attend weekly sessions and meetings for support. Staying sober through the holidays can be challenging. But it is not a challenge you have to face alone.
Have an answer ready if someone asks why you’re not drinking
No one needs to know the real reason you’re leaving early. Saying you’re feeling unwell isn’t an untruth. It’s okay to put your recovery first, stay a little vague and take care of yourself. Many local recovery clubs have meeting marathons during the holidays.
Leave knowing you were able to enjoy yourself and celebrate the holidays with friends – all while staying sober. Finally, if you’re worried that attending an event puts your sober holidays sobriety at risk, I give you permission to skip it. Do your best to avoid hurting anyone’s feelings in the process, and do not stay home by yourself and have a pity-party.
Make sure there is someone else present who knows you have stopped drinking
When she needed a break, she locked the bathroom door and took five minutes to get quiet and read a slogan. Make a new holiday tradition by scheduling a massage for the day after. Springbrook Behavioral Hospital is a 66 bed inpatient mental health facility located in Hernando County. We offer 24-hour psychiatric services provided by licensed professionals in various disciplines. Our hospital offers a variety of programs that can be tailored to patient needs, including an older adult program, dual diagnosis treatment and general psychiatric care. While you may have some supportive friends and family in your life, not everyone will be as accommodating about your addiction.
- Make a new holiday tradition by scheduling a massage for the day after.
- You may feel less left out and less tempted if you have a fun, tasty drink in hand.
- Feelings of loss can show up in a number of different ways, but they often start with recognizing that this is the first holiday season without using the addictive substance.
- • Create a daily activities list and keep it as full as possible.
- It’s important to remember that your abstinence did not teach you how to control your drinking because abstinence does not rewire your brain to become unaddicted.
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. Use this time to take a quieter approach to the holidays as you find sober activities. If you’re worried about how to stay sober during the holidays, consider getting your group of supportive and sober friends together. Try volunteering at the local Alcoholics Anonymous center, so you can talk to people and provide them with encouragement you too might need during the change in seasons. Before you even put up the Christmas tree or string the lights, try to let go. And if something is standing in the way of your path to staying sober, get rid of it.
Seeking Inpatient Care During the Holidays
Especially in an environment that taxes your recovery plan. It is always prudent to have a sober friend on the ready – to call for advice or a ride home. This will be my 6th sober holiday season, but my loved ones know that when I say it’s time to go, it is time to go.
- Not drinking was still too new, and I found myself miserable and white-knuckling instead of actually enjoying anything.
- As Dr. Weil demonstrates in the video below – it takes almost no time, requires no equipment and can be done anywhere.
- I have a 17-month-old child; my desire to be present for her dovetails nicely with my desire not to be hungover when my head is jumped on at 6am.
- No matter your faith, many religious groups offer a variety of family-friendly events to participate in during the holiday season.
- Or send your tips to us at (we’re happy to credit you or post them anonymously).
Stay connected to recovery, even if it’s less than normal. Living with addiction takes the strength of a superhero, regardless of if you are the addict or the loved one. Throw a couple of kids into the mix, plus a pet or two, and you have a recipe for a super meltdown. Luckily, community agencies can help in situations like this.
Sober Holidays Tip: Stress Reduction with Conscious Breathing
Consider these six questions before committing… Trying to stay sober during the holidays is challenging, but not impossible. Look for every opportunity to be of service to someone or an organization. There are numerous different ways to pay it forward and be of service and give back. One more day of living a sober life is one step closer to becoming stronger in your commitment to taking better care of yourself.
Substance abuse often increases during the holiday season. Getting the right health care treatment during the holidays may be the best give gift you can give not only to your friends and family, but to yourself. The https://ecosoberhouse.com/ holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy time together with family and friends. Unfortunately, they do also come with their fair share of stress, presenting a significant challenge for people in recovery.