Be proactive in making plans for your friends and family that don’t involve drinking. Think outside the box — maybe it’s an art class or ice skating. Ask yourself what you enjoyed when you were a kid or if there is a hobby you’ve always wanted to learn.

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. I carryKava Stress Relieftea with me wherever I go.

Establishing Boundaries in Addiction Recovery

Another response option is to say you’re watching what you put in your body during the holiday season, which means cutting back on alcohol to avoidnegative long-term effects. Whatever your response may be, have it ready so you aren’t caught off guard.

• For some, this season is the most wonderful time of year.
• If this is a medical emergency or you are feeling suicidal, call 911.
• You need to do what’s best for your recovery.
• Here’s how to make it more comfortable for those who don’t drink or who are in recovery.
• Begin by taking care of yourself during the holidays and remember the importance of proper nutrition, exercise, and sleep.

I pray for myself and for the people I’m going to see. I pray to make it through this event—this day—without drinking or crying or losing my temper. I never wanted my friends or family members to stop drinking or feel like they can’t drink around me. The sight of a beer doesn’t make me lose control. However, if the event or conversation is primarily focused on what we’re drinking, I feel left out.

Whether you are considering entering recovery, newly sober or have been sober for quite some time, the holidays are, without a doubt, a stressful time of the year. Sobriety during the holidays may even seem completely impossible to some. How do you possibly not drink on the obligatory night out before Thanksgiving? Who doesn’t like spiked eggnog on Christmas? Who doesn’t sober holidays need a few drinks at the office holiday party to relax? Hopefully these tips and ideas from like minded people who have been where you are will help you on your journey of recovery and help lessen your holiday stress. If you’ve been in recovery for a while, you may have already started building relationships with sober peers you can spend time with this holiday season.

Explore a future without alcohol.

Now that you’re sober, things can be different. You can take advantage of this time with your loved ones, immerse yourself in the experience, and better connect with family and friends. Not to mention, you will remember the memories made. Planes don’t have “no alcohol” sections, so the person sitting in the very next seat might order something alcoholic. Ideally, fly with someone you know, someone who knows you are in recovery and will avoid drinking during the trip. If you’re flying alone and feeling vulnerable, explain your situation to the flight attendant.

I feel more comfortable if I have one person I know is on my side. That person doesn’t have to abstain from drinking but is usually willing to talk about other things and step in if an overbearing uncle persists in offering drinks. I reach out to this person ahead of time and let them know how I’m feeling and how they can help me. Call someone who is sober and understands what you are going through.

Anticipate Triggers

If you are looking for structured online sober support, we know there are lots of brilliant options out there to choose from. Vacations are meant to help you reset and recalibrate. Learning to drink was part of becoming an adult, but learning not to is part of it, too. It’s a pity it took me 15 years to work that out. I’m going back to Portugal for a fortnight next month, Covid-willing, and I won’t be drinking.

• It’s about choosing something better for yourself.
• Maybe you are worried about your own drug use, or maybe you’re worried about the drug use of someone else.
• When the holidays get busy, it’s tempting to skip meetings, counseling appointments, and outreach calls.
• But for me, I couldn’t imagine wanting to tarnish the holidays with another drunken episode — or a hangover.

And as you may know, that’s hard to do when you get so drunk or high that you don’t remember a thing. It’s hard to do when you sleep in too late and wake up miserable on Christmas morning or New Year’s Day. I spent the first day of 2017 horribly hungover and never had another drink. Five years later, I’m going into this year’s holiday season booze-free. I can piece most of it together through photos, but I openly admit that my memories are spotty, to say the least.

If you’re having a party, be mindful of your guests’ needs.

Lastly, I’d like you to remember that you’re not alone. There are lots of people who opt out of drinking during the holidays, for so many different reasons. What you’re doing—this process of recovery—is hard work. So give yourself a little bit of credit for showing up for yourself today. If everyone starts talking about the “good old days,” leave the room. You don’t want to change your focus to thoughts of your drinking or using days. That can lead to preoccupation and obsession, and then to cravings.

Instead of waiting for all of your friends to invite you to their next mixer or cocktail party, invite them to your sober celebration of the holidays. When you have a non-alcoholic drink readily available, you will not feel pressured to drink alcohol. If close family and friends know you have problems with alcohol, they should help encourage you to stay sober. The risk of relapse increases during the holiday season. The temptation to have a toast with family or friends can be strong. By planning ahead, you will be prepared for difficult times during the holiday season. Look to the people you trust who will stand by your recovery program.

And your Therapeutic Alliance or Addiction Treatment

• Consider game nights, bad sweater contests, white elephant gifting or caroling – in-person or via video calls. Holistic health advocate Dr. Andrew Weilbelieves Conscious Breathing can be a useful tool for achieving a calmer mental or physical state. Holidays are a time of joy – and everyone is happy.

If you come prepared to protect your sobriety, you should be able to outmaneuver addiction and avoid any potential relapses. Family members expect holiday perfection, and they often demand every ounce of your time and energy—and patience. The family menu is a constant carb-load, and traveling puts a strain on your wallet. Packed airports, tight schedules, liquid lunch for Aunt Sally. Everyone is running on empty, and the annual fight is just waiting to happen.

Not drinking was still too new, and I found myself miserable and white-knuckling instead of actually enjoying anything. I had yet to get https://ecosoberhouse.com/ through that season of grief. Coming to grips with the idea that sobriety is not instant heaven is an important step in recovery.

Tips to Welcome the Sober Holidays

One easy and exciting way to do this is by starting new traditions that do not center around drinking or drug use. My family has a legend we talk about from my non-sober holidays past. It’s about the time “Mom”, with a bottle of chardonnay coursing through her system, put hot stuffing into a Pyrex bowl. And while the rest of the Thanksgiving meal was sliced, mashed and dolloped into serving dishes, attempted to keep the stuffing warm on a low fire on the gas stove. Our extensive aftercare program can provide the extra support that may be necessary to maintain your sobriety this holiday season. The holidays place a lot of demands on our time.

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