Recovery is a journey, and it’s essential to be kind to yourself along the way. Remember that recovery is not a perfect process, and it’s okay to make mistakes. You’re doing the best you can, and that’s something to be proud of.
- Family dynamics can also be triggering, especially if there are unresolved conflicts or tensions.
- Sober Holidays Tip #17 Remember that being in recovery doesn’t mean instant heaven or a perfect life.
- Remember that you have another brand new year to have a wonderful, sober life.
Why Are the Holidays Challenging in Addiction Recovery?
Recognize when you’re neglecting your emotional, physical, or psychological well-being, and take steps to address those needs. A strong commitment to your recovery plan helps you stay focused on your goals. It’s no easy feat, psychotherapist Hanna Zipes Basel tells PS. “Staying sober during the holidays feels a bit like showing up to a costume party in regular clothes — like everyone’s in on something, and you’re the odd one out.” Even if it’s your habit to stay out late, “you don’t have to do what you’ve always done at this particular Christmas party,” Haydel says. Drop in for the first hour, then allow yourself to leave when you wish.
It also gives you a way to occupy your hands, helping you side-step your alcohol cravings. Although these tips can be helpful, family can sometimes be the biggest challenge when staying sober during the holidays. It’s important to have open and honest communication to make this season enjoyable and safe. The holidays can make it tough to stay sober, especially with all the parties and get-togethers where there’s usually alcohol around.
They may misunderstand you or forget that you don’t intend to drink alcohol. If you do accidentally take a sip of an alcoholic beverage, don’t panic. It’s only a sip, and it doesn’t mean you’ve relapsed—or that you should entertain the thought of relapsing now.
On the Eighth Day of the Sober Holidays: Keep Alcohol-Free Drinks Handy
The holiday season marks a special time to gather with loved ones to celebrate gratitude, abundance, and the new year. Unfortunately, many people equate celebrations with alcohol consumption, whether that means having a festive cocktail at dinner or a champagne toast at midnight. If you bring your own drinks to a party, you’ll always have something to sip on, and it can help you avoid the pressure to drink alcohol. Mindfulness practices, such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing, can help you stay grounded during stressful moments.
Scheduling support meetings before and after holiday gatherings can provide you with the reinforcement you need to stay on track. These meetings offer a safe space to discuss your concerns, reflect on your experiences, and recharge your commitment to recovery. Addiction rehab requires continuous effort and self-reflection, especially during emotionally charged times like the holidays. Support from sober friends or sponsors is crucial to prevent relapse during these stressful periods. Stress-reduction techniques provide a simple, yet essential strategy for helping to prevent relapse in addiction recovery, especially during a busy or stressful holiday season.
Building New Holiday Traditions in Recovery
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. At family gatherings and social events, tote around your favorite non-alcoholic drink.
- When combined with counseling, this approach is proven highly effective.
- Everyone is running on empty, and the annual fight is just waiting to happen.
- The holidays can be tough, and it’s okay to not be perfect.
- Embrace the journey, cherish your victories, and make this holiday season one filled with peace, joy, and fulfillment.
- Remember, hosting your own sober gathering allows you to create new traditions and show others that holiday celebrations can be enjoyable without alcohol.
Difficult Memories
Know the schedule, identify potential triggers, and decide in advance how long you’ll stay. Consider making a brief appearance or avoiding an event if it centers around heavy drinking or drug use. If the gathering becomes overwhelming, have an exit strategy ready. Planning ahead gives you control and reduces anxiety about the unknown. Staying sober during the holidays doesn’t mean missing out on the season’s joy and connection.
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If the office New Year’s party is really all about drinking or other drug use, make a brief appearance or don’t attend. It’s unrealistic in all of these scenarios to say, “I can soldier through sober holidays it.” That’s what Step One of the Twelve Steps teaches us, right? So why put yourself in the position of having to “power through” an obstacle course of relapse triggers? Staying sober and safeguarding your recovery must always come first.
If you know other people in recovery, they may be particularly grateful that you organized something. Caring for yourself will give you the reserves to manage both holiday stress and drinking urges and help you to feel your best throughout the season. Pressure to drink (real or perceived) can make https://devprodbilling.axilcrew.dev/2021/07/12/can-you-develop-alcohol-intolerance/ some gatherings feel uncomfortable and downright stressful. Moments when friends ask why you’re not indulging in the spiked eggnog, or insist that you participate in a champagne-fueled toast on New Year’s Eve. Many local recovery clubs have meeting marathons during the holidays.
Focus on the Meaning of the Holidays
Gratitude reinforces the importance of your recovery and reminds you of the many reasons to stay committed. Ria Health offers several FDA-approved medications for alcohol use disorder. When combined with counseling, this approach is proven highly effective. Her mother-in-law makes hateful comments in Julie’s direction regarding everything from her parenting to her weight. Julie is often criticized for her husband’s mistakes within his family. She’s seen as the reason he drinks and gets in trouble.
Christmas morning can be a challenging time for those maintaining sobriety. A healthy breakfast is crucial to set the right tone for the day. It helps stabilize your mood and provides the energy needed to drug addiction treatment face potential challenges. Support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) provide a valuable sense of community, especially during the holidays.