Adopting new customs not only fosters a healthy festive spirit but also helps solidify a sober lifestyle, making these seasons enjoyable without the crutch of alcohol or substances. By planning ahead with these strategies, you’re setting yourself up for a more joyous and sober holiday experience. As with depression, anxiety is linked to addiction, making feelings of anxiety triggering for many people in recovery. It’s common for people who are in addiction recovery to feel heightened anxiety regarding their sobriety around the holidays. Navigating sober holidays requires creativity and intention.
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Maintaining communication with loved ones
Try some of these festive holiday activities that don’t involve alcohol. If you’ve been https://ecosoberhouse.com/ sober a long time, you may already have a go-to answer when confronted about why you don’t drink alcohol. Still, it never hurts to jot down a few more polite responses in your playbook.
The Power of Gratitude: Key Practice for Successful Recovery
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And when you take initiative over the planning, it’s easier to ensure the evening is both fun and alcohol-free. If you know other people in recovery, they may be particularly grateful that you organized something. 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. Let’s not forget the usual holiday stress from shopping, decorating, baking, expenses, family dynamics, etc. It can be tempting to have “just one drink” to take the edge off.
Our Addiction & Mental Health Helpline is available 24/7, even on holidays. Try downloading one of these five mindfulness apps, or simply try meditating for at least five minutes per day. When stress comes knocking you may find it much easier to separate yourself from your thoughts, and not react. Mindfulness is one particularly helpful strategy to combat stress.
These new traditions can reinforce your commitment to recovery while helping you enjoy the season in a healthier way. Whatever your relationship with alcohol, or your goals, if you feel you’d like some support to drink less this holiday season Ria Health can help. Developing effective coping strategies can significantly reduce the risk of relapse. Create a plan for handling stressful situations, such as exiting triggering environments or steering clear of conversations that revolve around past substance use.
- Your abstinence did not, in fact, teach you how to control your drinking, because abstinence didn’t rewire your brain to be non-addicted.
- From the presence of alcohol at social events to the emotional weight of family dynamics, the holidays can sometimes feel more overwhelming than joyful.
- This structure helps maintain consistency in your recovery routine.
- Keeping a gratitude journal can help you process complex emotions while also celebrating your progress in recovery.
- The holiday season involves increased social events that often center around alcohol.
Support for Me and My Family
- These advanced tips can help you navigate the complexities of holiday travel while strengthening your long-term recovery journey.
- Early signs of a relapse or slip may be identified by family members, friends, or other loved ones, such as a spouse.
- When approached with care and compassion, speaking with someone about their drug or alcohol abuse can be the first step toward healing and recovery.
- Make it a point to verbalize any discomfort you might experience, as this transparency fosters understanding and reassurance in your relationships.
- Given the rising popularity of sober living, it’s no surprise that the travel industry has embraced the trend.
Families should be encouraged to participate actively in discussions about sobriety goals to promote collective efforts to avoid relapse during gatherings. The holidays can be tough, and it’s okay to not be perfect. Recovery is a journey, and showing yourself kindness is crucial for maintaining long-term sobriety. It happens one day at a time, and tomorrow is another day with a fresh start.
Reach out to us today to learn more about how we can help you thrive—not just during the holidays but every day. Selecting gatherings that are not centered around alcohol can alleviate the temptation to drink. Opt for events that celebrate holiday traditions without an emphasis on drinking. Engaging in activities that foster connection and enjoyment, such as community service or sober-themed parties, can help reinforce a commitment to sobriety. But it can also be a very stressful time, particularly for people in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction.
Sober Vacations International has been leading trips specifically for 12-steppers since 1987. Going booze-free on vacation has never been easier, thanks to these zero-proof tour operators, new hotel beverage programs, and other options for the sober-curious. Some standard excuses are that you have to get up early the next day, you can’t mix alcohol with your medication, or you have to pick your child up on the way home. Quitting alcohol completely can be a challenge, but there are more ways to do it than ever before. Here is our guide to giving up (or cutting back) on alcohol. Sober Holidays Tip #11 Be sure there is plenty of light in your life.
Sober Holidays
To make a non-alcoholic version, replace the alcohol with cranberry juice. Add orange slices and cinnamon sticks, then simmer on the stove for a delightful Christmas aroma. Given the rising popularity of sober living, it’s what is alcoholism no surprise that the travel industry has embraced the trend.