If someone pushes your boundaries, don’t feel bad about stepping away or leaving the situation altogether. If you encounter a slip, it’s important to approach it with flexibility and self-compassion rather than harsh judgment. Understand that recovery is a journey, not a destination, and each day is an opportunity to make sober choices.
How to Stay Sober: Navigating the Holidays While In Recovery
A key part of staying in recovery is the rigorous practice of self-care. Understanding your triggers, how to handle them, and how to respect your own boundaries is what keeps you safe, both emotionally and physically. You have the right to remain home, go to a movie, take a walk or hang out with a good friend instead. Moreover, the disruption of routine and structure that typically comes with the holidays can throw off recovery plans and make it harder to maintain healthy habits. Past users may feel vulnerable to old habits without the usual support systems and routines.
Stay connected to other recovery folks
Either way, most addiction recovery agencies, treatment centers, and domestic sober holidays violence resources increase efforts during the holidays. Call a local treatment center like Into Action Recovery Centers or a local crisis line. Make this holiday the last unsafe holiday for you and your family. Take an honest look at upcoming holiday events and whether it’s healthy to attend. If you feel uncomfortable about a family dinner, that’s enough. Difficult is not synonymous with impossible, and yes, millions have managed to stay sober during the holidays and have a jolly ol’ time.
Substance Use
Some families might consider the holidays an inappropriate time to help a loved one get into addiction treatment when, in fact, it could be an ideal opportunity. 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. Maybe you are worried about your own drug use, or maybe you’re worried about the drug use of someone else.
Remember To HALT
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. It’s not your fault you are facing the challenge of addiction. If pride is a factor, imagine a time in the future when you will be the one helping another family in need. Call your local United Way or house of worship for information on help with holiday meals and gifts for children. In the end, the humility you gain will only strengthen your recovery.
Drinking triggers are unique to each individual and it can be hard to resist the urge to partake when they crop up. One thing that helps is thinking about the challenges of past holiday events so you can avoid the same pitfalls. If you are committed to sober holidays one of the best ways to minimize stress in the moment is to practice your response ahead of time. Pressure to drink (real or perceived) can make 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. Recovery is a journey, and it’s essential to be kind to yourself along the way.
- However, with careful planning, mindfulness, and support, it’s possible to navigate this time while maintaining sobriety.
- Together, we can help you stay on the path to lasting recovery.
- If you’re invited to an event that is all about drinking, give yourself permission to skip it, says Adam Cannon, a real estate agent in Pittsburgh who has been sober for 18 years.
- With a few creative strategies, we can still participate in holiday fun without going broke.
During her first sober holiday season last year, Haydel reveled in meaningful conversations and the joy of waking up feeling good each morning with clear memories of the night before. Whether it’s an Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor, a sober relative or a group text with healthy friends, stay connected with people who will support you, Bridwell says. You can also join an online sober group and follow sobriety-related social media accounts. For those struggling with sobriety during the holidays, professional help is always an option.
- In addition to these emotional challenges, the financial and logistical stress of gift shopping, travel, and a packed holiday schedule can leave little time for self-care or reflection.
- Protecting your sobriety is more important than fulfilling obligations or pleasing others.
- Recovery Advisors are available to take your call 24/7, even during the holiday season.
By and large, winter festivities are meant to be a time to relax and unwind. They can afford us a crucial opportunity to rest, recharge, take stock of our lives, give thanks, and plan for the next year. However, for some, staying sober during holidays can seem like a Herculean task. Living with addiction takes the strength of https://drbiswasgoodhealth.co.in/2021/08/20/california-sober-living-homes-rules-compliance-and/ a superhero, regardless of if you are the addict or the loved one.
Don’t let yourself get too tired or hungry or stressed
Gratitude reminds us that the journey of recovery is not one we take alone—it’s a shared experience built on connection and mutual support. To help support your sobriety over the next few months, we feel it’s important to share with you our “12 Tips to Staying Clean and Sober during the Holidays”. At the end of the day, no holiday obligation is worth relapse. If it’s becoming too much or if you’re not sure you can handle it – then don’t test yourself, get out of the situation and into somewhere safe. Addiction triggers can differ from person to person, but they generally fall into a few common categories.
Ten Ways to Help a Loved One Make a Recovery From Addiction
Mindfulness and meditation are powerful tools for managing stress and reducing alcohol cravings Substance abuse during the holiday season. These practices can help you stay present and maintain your sobriety goals. Staying present in the moment is key to navigating the busy and often chaotic holiday season. To help you stay centered, practice mindfulness techniques like deep breathing, grounding exercises, or guided meditation. When you feel overwhelmed, pause and remind yourself of your priorities and the steps you’ve taken to maintain your sobriety. Gratitude is a powerful tool for maintaining a positive mindset.
