If you know the office Christmas party is going to have plenty of booze and partying, then maybe plan on making a brief appearance and leaving before things get crazy. Sober Holidays Tip #17  Remember that being in recovery doesn’t mean instant heaven or a perfect life. Coming to grips with the idea that sobriety is not instant heaven is an important step in recovery. Most people with addiction expect their upside-down world to immediately turn right side up.

Bring a Trusted Friend or Loved One

This may be an ideal time to let go of past hurts and recriminations so you can move forward with a more positive outlook. If those thoughts begin to creep in—those rationalizations about your eminent capability to now handle your liquor—shut them down immediately. Your abstinence did not, in fact, teach you how to control your drinking, because abstinence didn’t rewire your brain to be non-addicted. Instead, talk it out with your sponsor or sober friends.

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Perhaps there’s a caroling group you can join, or a holiday bazaar where people sober holidays share homemade arts and crafts. Odds are, there are some fun sober ways to celebrate in your community. By embracing sober traditions, you can create meaningful and fulfilling experiences during the holidays while staying true to your recovery goals.

• Is there a Christmas tree lighting ceremony in your town?
• From visiting family, to packed airports, to pricey expenditures and more, the end of the year brings unneeded stress that can potentially trigger a relapse.
• Say yes to social events that are important to you, and skip the rest.
• What situations could possibly set you on the road toward relapse?
• Our busy lives seem to go into overdrive as the year comes to a close.
• People in recovery may be more at risk if they are estranged from their families or lack a support system.

Resources For Staying Sober During The Holidays

Attending meetings will remind you why you’re staying sober and give you tools to deal with temptation when it arises. The holidays can be stressful, but stay as busy as possible. Volunteer at a local soup kitchen, go ice skating with friends, or start a new holiday tradition with your family. The more you keep your mind off drinking, the less likely you will relapse. It can be helpful to have someone to lean on during the holidays. If you’re feeling tempted, reach out to a friend in recovery https://ecosoberhouse.com/ or your sponsor.

Have a Coping Strategy

Julie dreads holidays with her in-laws but feels like she has no choice in the matter. Sober Holidays Tip #14 Bring recovery reading when you travel. Get ebook versions of The Big Book, The Recovery Book, and other recovery literature on your phone or ebook reader before you leave town. Recovered is not a medical, healthcare or therapeutic services provider and no medical,psychiatric, psychological or physical treatment or advice is being provided by Recovered. Ifyou are facing a medical emergency or considering suicide or self harm, please call 911immediately.

• Whether you’re abstaining completely or just trying to be more mindful of your drinking, sobriety is a personal journey that looks different for everyone.
• Campaign in an effort to remind drivers to never get behind the wheel after drinking, either over the holidays or at any other time of the year.
• So why put yourself in the position of having to « power through » an obstacle course of relapse triggers?
• This could be a room, your car, the garage, or even a close friend’s house, where you can go to in order to regroup, recharge, and de-stress.

Develop a support network

Choose the strategies that resonate with you and adapt them to suit your needs. With determination and the right support, you can navigate the holiday season with confidence and stay firmly on the path of sobriety. 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.

Be mindful of what you’re drinking—and thinking

Moreover, reinforcing limits allows your family and friends to offer the type of support you need in your recovery journey. Is a private faith-based and gender-separate rehab center located in Azle, Texas. We offer long-term residential addiction treatment for men and women struggling with drug & alcohol addiction. Our drug and alcohol addiction treatment center serves the communities of Azle, Fort Worth, Dallas, and as far as Oklahoma and New Mexico. Our tips for staying sober take into account the stressors of the holiday season and give you ideas to create a manageable action plan for the busy weeks ahead. The holidays can make it tough to stay sober, especially with all the parties and get-togethers where there’s usually alcohol around.