How to Stay Sober During the Holidays

Try “running the tape through,” meaning “What will happen if I choose to drink and use? ” Can you envision where you will be if you start drinking or using? Can you bring to mind all the hard work and progress you have made so far in your addiction recovery? We are all too familiar with the treacherous places that relapsing can take us.

Seek Professional Support When Needed

Luckily, Into Action has options for dealing with your family holiday without sacrificing your sobriety or sanity. It’s essential to remind yourself that the holidays are just a season, not a test of https://bandarcolok123.com/creative-gifts-to-celebrate-someone-s-sober/ your entire recovery. If you find yourself struggling, focus on taking it one day at a time. Meditation serves as a powerful tool to calm racing thoughts and reduce anxiety.

• California Care Recovery offers comprehensive professional support addiction treatment with same-day admissions available 24/7, ensuring you’re never alone during this challenging season.
• Bringing your own beverages to an event can help reduce the pressure to drink alcohol.
• The Recovery Zone System provides a practical way to assess your current emotional state and determine what level of support you need in the moment.

Bring Your Own Non-Alcoholic Drinks

• As noted, it’s okay to stay home or do something that doesn’t involve being around people who are using substances.
• Connecting with a sober community for shared activities also offers mutual encouragement.
• Instead of doing this, be gentle on your emotions while being firm in your resolve to fix the problem before it gets any worse and take steps immediately to do so.
• Cut-offs cut deep and wide, their emotional impact reverberating far beyond the combatants.
• Before attending any event, think through the scenarios you might encounter and develop strategies to handle them.

If the idea of surviving the holidays sober fills you with dread and anxiety (or anger or jealousy or fear or sadness), you’re not alone. We’ve survived the holidays sober and are sharing some of our tricks for getting through the season unscathed and as merry as possible. Family dynamics, social commitments, travel, financial stress, employers, children, and more add pressure to the most wonderful time of the year. For those in recovery, the holidays can be even more challenging to navigate. Follow these steps to set yourself up for success this year. Professional resources such as Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) and therapy provide critical support during stressful times like the holidays.

We are a non-network provider for TriCare West.

However, if you ever feel likeyou need assistance in maintaining your sobriety, don’t hesitate to reach outto Myrtle Beach Recovery. We offer short-term and long-term recovery programs,providing a safe place to work through the 12 Steps. I know from experience that the holidays can be hazardous for someone in the addiction recovery community. It’s important to make a plan to enjoy as well as survive the holidays when staying sober is a key to making that possible. These triggers don’t simply create discomfort—they activate the brain’s reward pathways and challenge the neural changes achieved through recovery.

There is nothing more satisfying than helping others learn to live again and piece their lives back together as they become strong, productive members of society. As we continue to grow Amatus Health, the need to stay competitive and differentiate ourselves in unique ways is crucial. Building creative approaches to reach more people will take our company to new heights. This is why I am pleased to announce that we are officially rebranding.

Sobriety during the holidays may even seem completely impossible to some. How do you possibly not drink on the obligatory night Alcoholics Anonymous out before Thanksgiving? Who doesn’t 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.

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Sometimes, the best way to ensure this doesn’t happen is just to accept that you should not put yourself in a position of temptation. As noted, it’s okay to stay home or do something that doesn’t involve being around people who are using substances. Ultimately, all the planning in the world, while helpful, can’t save you at any given moment. There are no excuses—it doesn’t matter if you are experiencing stress or feeling upset. If you are telling yourself anything else, you are lying to yourself. And others might be lying to you, as well—don’t listen.

Medication management including Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) helps sober holidays prevent relapse by addressing mental health symptoms and substance use disorders. Ongoing counseling tailored to individual needs further supports sustained recovery. Staying sober during the holidays becomes significantly easier when you intentionally fill your calendar with meaningful, alcohol-free experiences.

Many people in recovery find it beneficial to “bookend” holiday events with meetings or conversations with AA sponsors. Locating meeting places and times in advance can help you schedule and structure your day around group support. During the holidays, it’s crucial to stay in touch with the people who support your sobriety.

Don’t expect your family to instantly offer you the support you need. When the holidays get busy, it’s tempting to skip meetings, counseling appointments, and outreach calls. Stay connected to recovery, even if it’s less than normal. Living with addiction takes the strength of a superhero, regardless of if you are the addict or the loved one. Throw a couple of kids into the mix, plus a pet or two, and you have a recipe for a super meltdown.