Guide on How to Stay Sober During the Holidays

Both the holiday blues and SAD are temporary and usually go away after the season. However, many people are recovering not just from substance abuse but also a co-occurring mental health condition such as anxiety or depression. The holidays can exacerbate those pre-existing conditions, which can make the season more difficult to navigate without the right mental health support. Now I see the holidays through my kids’ eyes and remind myself what Christmas was like as a child.

• For example, you might feel stressed due to the financial burdens of the season.
• 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.
• Make sure to focus your time and energy on those who support your sobriety.

Before the holiday season begins, devise a plan to protect your sobriety. This may mean attending more meetings at your treatment center or sober living house, participating in an online support group, or spending sober holidays more time with your sponsor. One effective way to stay sober during the holidays is to establish your own set of sober traditions. Start by planning activities that do not involve alcohol or drugs.

Reaching Out For Help If You Relapse

Drive yourself to events, giving you the freedom to leave when necessary. Ensure that your sober support network is aware of your whereabouts and maintain regular check-ins with them. If strong cravings strike, don’t hesitate to create a polite excuse and make your exit. Thanksgiving is a holiday centered around both food and family gatherings. For individuals in recovery, the presence of alcohol at the dinner table can pose a significant challenge.

Writing down your plans ahead of time can give you a roadmap for what to do when and if you encounter specific situations. 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. Let Mississippi Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center help you start your journey towards recovery.

Support Helplines And Chats For Addiction Recovery

It’s fine to simply say, “I’m not drinking tonight.” Who knows — maybe you’ll inspire someone or help them feel less alone. 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. If you’re looking for resources and tools to help you stay on track in your recovery during the holidays, AddictionResource.net has got you covered. Isolation and loneliness can be major triggers for relapse, especially during the holidays.

Even more so than usual, sober holidays are about togetherness. Unfortunately, during this time of year, we tend to see an increase in alcohol consumption among all age groups and, in some cases, an increase in recreational drug use. Thanksgiving Eve is also known https://ecosoberhouse.com/ as Blackout Wednesday, the first heavy drinking weekend of the holiday season; heavy drinking is normalized. If you are living in an area where you don’t have much friends and family, attending local holiday events is a great way to integrate yourself socially.