People may feel a bit disappointed but your true friends will respect and even applaud your sobriety efforts. It is easy to let the holiday demands and activities disrupt our daily patterns and routines. This can take a toll on our physical and emotional well-being. The bottom line is that a sober holiday is much more achievable when the added stress is brought down to a minimum.

Hatch a holiday escape plan, and plan to protect your sobriety

Getting through the holidays sober can be a challenge, particularly for people in early addiction recovery. Here are some tips and resources for preventing or responding to addiction relapse during the holiday season. Although these tips can be helpful, family can sometimes be the biggest challenge when staying sober during the holidays. It’s important to have open and honest communication to make this season enjoyable and safe.

Support Helplines And Chats For Addiction Recovery

You can ask others to bring everything from appetizers to non-alcoholic drinks to paper goods. Try some of these festive holiday activities that don’t involve alcohol. Whether it’s frying up latkes for Hanukkah, or crafting Christmas ornaments around the fireplace, there are many holiday traditions that don’t require a buzz. Consider playing board games, watching holiday movies, or taking a stroll to gaze at the beautiful lights.

Bring a Trusted Friend or Loved One

• Act like you’re the CEO of a company and you’re implementing a strategic action plan to increase the bottom line (your happiness).
• If you want to stay sober during the holidays, look for every opportunity to be of service.
• Without a support system, many people fall back into their old habits and ways.
• Try some of these festive holiday activities that don’t involve alcohol.

If you’re not sure there will be non alcoholic options available, bring your own with you. There are many ways to spread joy, especially through community service or through simply helping sober holidays others. You could serve a meal at a homeless shelter, reach out with hospitality to a newcomer at an AA or NA meeting, or spend time with a neighbor. There are a million different ways to give back, pay it forward and be of service.

Set Realistic Expectations

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. Our telehealth program gives you access to expert medical support, online coaching meetings, anti-craving medications, virtual support groups, and more—all from an app on your smartphone. Similar to starting a new holiday tradition, sometimes the best way to avoid relapse is simply by avoiding the temptation that always accompanies holiday social gatherings. If you’re worried about staying sober, then do good as you minimize your risk by finding a worthy cause to donate your time to during these dangerous days and nights.

Social and work events

Tell them how you are feeling about the upcoming holiday and ask if you can call them if you feel in danger of relapsing. With treatment, people learn how to manage co-occurring disorders without the use of addictive substances. People in early recovery who have spent a lot of time in treatment recently may be especially burdened by financial issues this time of year, causing added stress. The urge is like a wave that peaks in intensity but will pass.

Have A Strong Support System In Place

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. While you don’t owe anyone an explanation for your healthy choices, filling your glass with a nonalcoholic beverage is one way to avoid drink offers.

Why staying sober can be difficult during the holidays

The Dawn Wellness Centre and Rehab is a unique, Thailand-based drug and alcohol rehab centre designed to promote an atmosphere of personal growth, healing, and self-discovery. Licensed by the Thai Ministry of Health, The Dawn offers customised programmes that fit your needs and address co-occuring mental health issues as well. It is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season by trying to make every gathering or event, or packing in some last-minute holiday shopping. The problem is that if you are https://ecosoberhouse.com/ feeling exhausted and overwhelmed, this poses a risk to your recovery.

The United States has a strong culture of alcohol and people who refuse it are often outsiders. You should expect people to be pushy and possibly even rude about it if you don’t know them, and sometimes if you do know them. Your best option is to rehearse how to say no, come up with ways to say no that work, and either be willing to share your state of recovery or find an excuse not to drink.

Get some help from friends and family

John A. Smith is a Senior Psychotherapist at The Dawn and an internationally accredited Addiction Treatment Professional (ISSUP), Certified Life and NLP Coach. He is highly experienced in working with young adults and utilises a range of evidence-based therapies, including SMART Recovery, to help his clients achieve their goals. Choosing recovery close to home means your support system is just a few miles away. You, nor your loved one, are under any obligation to commit to a Legacy Healing Center treatment program when calling the helpline. If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please contact at