Content
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, more people drink beyond their limits during the holidays than at any other time of the year. While everyone else seems to be so holly-jolly, it can be even harder to navigate an already-difficult time. You might feel “othered,” and ambivalence might be amplified. It’s okay to feel a bit of discomfort when you’re surrounded by happy families, full of the joy of the season. Walk around with a red cup of iced tea or whatever and simply say, “nah, I’m good” whenever someone asks if you need a drink. Be smart enough not to let someone to get a beverage for you, as he or she may not know your situation or might forget your request and bring you an alcoholic drink. While these are effective alternatives to AA and NA, they are also newer programs and offer fewer meetings.
If you’re offered an alcoholic beverage, a simple “no thank you” should suffice, but be ready for the “oh, come on, why not? ” You don’t have to tell someone why, but it’s a good idea to have your response ready in advance. You can even practice it beforehand so it rolls off the tongue and doesn’t feel awkward. If you find yourself face to face with that uncle who just won’t let it go, politely move to the next room and don’t let it rattle your calm.
Engaging in Healthy Self-Care
It’s something to be proud of, and your journey should be a rewarding one. If you find yourself traveling during the holidays, it might be helpful to find a local support group that you can attend to talk about how things went. Whatever the outcome, don’t be discouraged by the little things. If you walked away sober, that alone is something https://ecosoberhouse.com/ to be proud of. Not every happy moment has to be celebrated with a glass of bubbly. One of the great things about the holiday season is that there are plenty of alternatives out there. Instead of waiting for all of your friends to invite you to their next mixer or cocktail party, invite them to your sober celebration of the holidays.
The feeling of joy and thankfulness is contagious around the holidays. And if there’s one thing recovery has taught us, it’s that being with others can help us on our journey. Reach out to a local shelter or soup kitchen to see if they need some help around the holidays. Have a loved one or neighbor who can’t get around easily?
Start new holiday traditions
The National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, about 30% of the United States’ population doesn’t consume alcohol. You are in good company when you aren’t drinking or using drugs. Diana is an addiction expert and licensed marriage and family therapist who has been in the field of mental health sober holidays for over 10 years. Sometimes, as alcoholics and addicts, we manage things better when we’re in the midst of a crisis than afterward. The preferable method for checking in is either calling or Facetiming the support person. As an industry professional 12 Keys has become one of my most trusted resources.
- Whether it was a pleasant emotion such as joy or happiness, or unpleasant emotions such as stress or anxiety, you may have turned to alcohol to help you manage your feelings.
- The support person can be a sponsor, a family member, or a friend that is reliable.
- Connecting with others in this way can be a new experience that takes courage.
- You aren’t ruining the holidays by focusing on your health and those who care about you will understand why you’re unable to attend.
You’ll just need a bit of preparation and a lot of dedication to get through until January. Here are seven tips for staying sober during the holidays. If you think about it, all holiday parties are optional. If you don’t think the activity is going to be good for your recovery, it’s okay not to go. You can politely decline the party invite, but make a lunch date with the host for another day. When we can focus on others, we find more joy and gratitude. Make a special family recipe and deliver to friends.
IPV & the High Rates of Substance Use Among Victims of Domestic Violence
If you are a people-pleaser or someone who has trouble expressing yourself, you might struggle to tell others what your needs are. If you do manage to establish and communicate your boundaries, you might still find that sticking to them is difficult. If you feel that you are wavering in expressing or upholding boundaries, remind yourself why you established them in the first place.
- Have a list of phone numbers, either of a sponsor, good friend or even the Alcoholics Anonymous helpline, so you can call someone when you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
- It would be great if you’re able to speak to your sponsor or speak with a sober friend regarding the expectations and emotions you have about the holidays.
- At Acqua Recovery, our masters-level clinicians may suggest boundary setting as a relapse prevention technique.
- In other words, “this too shall pass.” There’s no reason to stress over one holiday season in your lifetime — it’s just another 24 hours of working on your recovery.