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Pyramid Healthcare is here to help you every step of the way. Contact us today and we’ll figure out how we can best support you during this time. This might look like joining a support group (even if you haven’t relapsed), continuing or restarting therapy or counseling, getting a personal trainer, nutritionist or even life coach. Be mindful of asking someone else to grab you a drink. They may misunderstand you or forget that you don’t intend to drink alcohol.
- There are so many reasons why someone might choose to abstain from booze, and none of them are inherently the business of anyone else—holiday hosts included.
- If the office New Year’s party is really all about drinking or other drug use, make a brief appearance or don’t attend.
- Her mother-in-law makes hateful comments in Julie’s direction regarding everything from her parenting to her weight.
- Remember that every sober day brings your next accomplishment.
Any losses you’ve suffered seem to be more painful at this time of year, and loneliness can be hard to bear. Remember, you CAN go to a party, you CAN gather with family and friends, you CAN have a good time, and you CAN do it while sober. Because when you have a festive beverage in hand, no one will ask you if you need one.
Don’t default to offering an alcoholic drink
When you take the opportunity to connect with others—to see, value and honor their experience—you exercise empathy. You exist outside of yourself, and you begin to notice all the blessings your life already contains. And it doesn’t get more human, or more recovery, than that. If you become a ball of wretched energy during the holidays, perhaps your own expectations have become your downfall. Be the designated driverIf you volunteer to be the chauffeur it will be easier to avoid drink – and you will earn the eternal gratitude of everyone else.
Keep in mind that there’s no need to be ashamed of your past or the journey you’re on now. Whether you’re struggling with your sobriety or just want to make sure that you stay on track this holiday season, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Reach out to a friend, call a hotline, or talk with your doctor. Even if you’re not ready to go cold turkey on alcohol consumption—which is totally fine! —you can still get some guidance from people who know the ins and outs of staying sober while celebrating the holidays in a healthy way.
) Create a game plan
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. Use your alone time during exercise to refocus on your goal to find sober ways to celebrate. Internal triggers are the random thoughts that pop into your mind, making you think that it might be a good time for a drink.
Staying sober and safeguarding your recovery must always come first. Part of the cultural resistance to giving up alcohol on holiday comes from how we learn to drink. From the ceremonial airport pint to the trolley-dash around duty free on the way home, holidays and drinking are entwined in the British imagination. It’s equally true whether you’re a beers-at-Wetherspoon’s person, or the sort of sleek potentate who prefers a G&T in the Concorde Lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5. From Byron to Patrick Melrose to Withnail in the tearoom to the Inbetweeners, British culture bulges with examples of drinking on trips away. Every day that you can mark off your calendar as another sober success day is worth celebrating.
Recognize Your Triggers and Limits
But these thoughts are just distractions—they don’t help you stay sober or move forward with your growth as an individual. When one thinks of the holidays, thoughts might flow to twinkling lights or Christmas trees. It is often seen as a joyous time of the year, but for many, it’s not so glamorous. Some may be struggling with grief from the loss of a loved one or seasonal depression. This time of year is even more challenging for those who are recovering from substance use.
- Remember, the disease of addiction is as powerful the day after a holiday as it is the day of and the day before.
- The holiday season can be brutal—especially if you’re taking a break from booze or quitting for good.
- In the end, the best option may be to leave early or simply stay home.
- Or maybe you’re going somewhere and you’re unaware of what alcohol-free beverages will be available.
Through recovery eyes, a person guarding their sobriety may notice that their uncle drinks more than they remembered or that their sister starts drinking early in the morning. A person who is sober has to bear in mind that they are not there to police anyone else’s drinking habits. “An individual in recovery has to understand that all they truly control in their recovery are the actions they take to support their own recovery. Celebrating a sober holiday is reason enough to be proud of yourself.
This encourages your group to celebrate around food as opposed to drinking. If you’re going to a restaurant, don’t be afraid to take up space and ask the server what nonalcoholic beverages they can make. Nonalcoholic beverages can be triggering for some, so your mileage may vary, but for me they were incredibly helpful. Some nonalcoholic beers made me check the label twice because they were that close to the alcoholic versions. By the next Christmas, it was easier, and by the next, I had zero desire to drink — although I know not everyone’s experience will look like mine. But for me, I couldn’t imagine wanting to tarnish the holidays with another drunken episode — or a hangover.
- In that case, you’re inadvertently putting a sober loved one into an awkward position where they feel like they’re only drinking to appease you.
- If you’re looking for more ways to celebrate that deviate from the traditional party, try visiting the places you’ve been meaning to see.
- Whie parties like this may not be as crazy as the ones from your past, or be chalk full of guests, just know the ones who are there support you the most.
- When was the last time you took the kids to see the Nutcracker?
“A person in recovery should try focusing on how taking action to clearly communicate their recovery will ultimately empower their recovery. If they continue to focus on the potential problems, reactions, judgments, and misunderstandings from their family members, a person in recovery is going to get tripped up,” adds Guara. Sometimes, the hardest thing about sober celebrations is feeling like you’re alone.
Hold the Tequila. The Sunrise Is All Some Travelers Need.
For each event that you successfully get through, reward yourself with a brunch date with a good friend or buy yourself that book you’ve wanted. 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 to be proud of. When was the last time you took the kids to see the Nutcracker? What about inviting your family or co-workers to join a neighborhood caroling group?
Drinking alone went up, and 2020 was the worst year for alcohol-related deaths for 20 years; more than 7,000 were recorded. For some, however, the pandemic has spurred a health drive. As we are a sober travel agency, we can offer trips that other travel agencies cannot – specifically trips that are geared towards the sober traveler. On our Sober Village there are 5 scheduled meetings each day.
How to Deal if You’re Not Drinking This Holiday Season
Staying sober during the holidays can be a challenge, so it’s important to be honest with yourself and others. You should never feel pressured into doing something you aren’t ready for. However, if you are ready to quit drinking or want help reducing https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/8-tips-on-ow-to-spend-holidays-sober/ your alcohol use this holiday season, there are many resources available. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is one of the most well-known organizations that provides support for individuals looking to reduce their alcohol use or quit altogether.
