Addiction Treatment 12 Tips for Staying Sober Through the Holidays

Or maybe you can’t get home for the holidays this year, and you’re not sure who you’ll spend Christmas with. Many people feel their emotions more profoundly during this season—both the good emotions and the not-so-good. The end of the year brings people together with Halloween parties in October, Thanksgiving dinner in November, and a plethora of holidays in December such as Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.

The holidays can be hectic, but it’s helpful to stick with your regular routine of support group meetings. You might even want to attend more meetings than usual to manage any unforeseen stress that comes up. Plan out the meeting schedule you’ll follow at your destination in advance if you’re traveling. You can even reach out to support groups where you’ll be staying so you have contacts there. This helps with accountability, too — if someone is expecting you, you’re less likely to let things slide. Make a commitment to yourself before the holidays that you will stay sober.

Find A Support Group

In all the Christmas stories, Santa needs the help of his elves and reindeer to make the holidays a success, and you need a support team, too. Make a list of people you can call on if times get tough and you need to talk about your feelings. These could be friends, family members, your counselor or sponsor, or members of your support group. Not everyone has a family or friends to be with during the holidays, a time of year when particular focus is put on socializing and spending time with loved ones. The holiday season can bring with it emotional triggers, anxiety around socializing, and other seasonal stressors that may present a challenge when it comes to staying on track in your recovery. Keep in touch with people in recovery or sober sponsor, and join a local support group.

If you’ve slipped more than once, this might be a sign you need additional support, such as more frequent counseling sessions or an intensive outpatient program. Relapse among people with substance use disorder is not uncommon. Early signs of a relapse or slip may be identified by family members, friends, or other loved ones, such as a spouse. Before your holiday schedule becomes packed with parties, get-togethers, family dinners, and more, commit to getting regular sleep.

Spending The Holiday Season Sober

For instance, you can plan on keeping your hands filled with drinks like soda, juice, or sparkling water, so that you aren’t constantly offered alcoholic beverages. Celebrate the holiday season and the fullness of your sober life by taking time for yourself. Proper nutrition, gentle exercise and restorative sleep can do wonders for your well-being. The better you feel physically, the stronger you will be emotionally. Nourish your spirit, too, through personal reflection and connection with those you love. Find some quiet time each day for relaxation and meditation—if only for a few minutes, no matter how busy you are.

Consider the time and space you might need to reset at the end of a long day, socializing with people that might cause you stress. The holidays are supposed to be this magical, happy time for getting together with friends and family, but it’s not always twinkling lights and warm and fuzzies for everyone. Time with family can often be fraught with tension https://ecosoberhouse.com/ and conflict, and if you are adding travel into the equation, things can be even more stressful. While some people experience an uptick in social engagements around the holidays, others may feel especially isolated. You may also find yourself surrounded by people whom you love, but find challenging, or remember and miss loved ones you have lost.

Stay Connected To Your Support System

Now that you’re living a life that is free of alcohol, it’s important that you understand your own strength. Even though you know that you have the full capability and control over your drinking, knowing that this time of year can be surrounded by alcohol may leave you feeling slightly anxious. Get rid of those thoughts and know that you have said good-bye to alcohol forever because you chose to work with Go Sober.

Each holiday season, millions of Americans successfully maintain their sobriety by having a plan in place to avoid and manage triggers. Whether it’s frying up latkes for Hanukkah, or crafting Christmas ornaments around the fireplace, there are many time-honored holiday traditions that don’t require a buzz. And when sober holidays you take initiative over the planning process, it’s easier to ensure the evening is both fun and booze-free. If you know other people in recovery, they may be especially grateful that you organized something. Keeping in touch with your support system throughout the holidays doesn’t just make for a merrier season.

Thanksgiving and the rest of the holiday season do not have to lead to lost sobriety. The best approach involves coming up with a plan to stay sober. A little bit of planning can significantly reduce stress.

• It’s also a good idea to have someone you can call for support.
• The holiday season can bring with it emotional triggers, anxiety around socializing, and other seasonal stressors that may present a challenge when it comes to staying on track in your recovery.