For many people in recovery, they may wonder how they can have a sober holiday. Many American holidays tend to feature a lot of alcohol use which is often expected and encouraged. It can be hard for people in recovery to have to constantly defend their sobriety, especially from those who don’t quite understand what’s at stake.
Thankfully, anyone can get through the holidays while protecting their recovery as long as they keep some simple tips in mind.
Tip 1: Care for Yourself During Your Sober Holiday
Holidays can be incredibly stressful at the best of times. It’s important to remember to take care of ourselves, especially when we feel stressed and anxious. If a holiday event becomes more stressful than fun, it’s time to step back and practice self-care. Take time to get in some exercise, relax, or practice some mindfulness. Remember to eat healthy meals, drink water often, and get plenty of restful sleep. This can be hard with all the activity going on, but it’s important to maintain a healthy routine.
Even a sober holiday can test a person’s coping skills. At Painted Desert Recovery, clients have time to role-play and practice these coping skills before leaving addiction treatment. If it feels like these coping skills aren’t quite enough to deal with a holiday event, it’s always okay to step back and disengage.
Tip 2: Set Healthy Boundaries
Knowing how to set and maintain healthy boundaries is important for everyone, not just people in recovery. They help us maintain healthy relationships with other people and be kind to ourselves. Holidays are hectic, and many times a boundary can be crossed by accident. It’s vital to communicate these boundaries and enforce them to protect your recovery.
For example, perhaps the most common boundary set by those in recovery is to not bring substances into their home. It’s perfectly acceptable to have a sober holiday party at your home with those you love. If someone breaks this boundary and brings substances along, it’s also perfectly acceptable to ask them to leave. When going to a party hosted by someone else, It is also okay to bring a nonalcoholic beverage to share. No host would ever be mad to get extra soda or sparkling grape juice to keep their guests happy.
When confronted about why you are not drinking or consuming substances, you can respond in several different ways. You can use a common excuse, such as needing to drive later or having to get up early. Or you can just say that you don’t want to drink. No is a complete sentence. It’s sometimes helpful to practice your responses before going to a party to give yourself more confidence. Having an exit strategy in place in case you need to leave can also be helpful.
Tip 3: Plan Some Fun Sober Holiday Activities
Several activities can be planned for a fun sober holiday. Contrary to what some people may think, it’s possible to have a lot of fun while being sober. Take a look around your area and see what inspiration you can find. If you live in an area where you have snow during winter, going snow tubing is a fun event to have during Christmas. Going to a haunted house attraction during Halloween, watching fireworks during Independence Day, or watching movies after Thanksgiving dinner can all be fun sober activities.
Remember, if someone objects to there not being alcohol or other substances during the event, remind them that they don’t have to be there. Remain firm that the activities stay sober so that everyone can stay safe. For more ideas on fun sober holiday activities, check with your local sober community.
Tip 4: Keep Connected to Your Sober Community
A support network is there to offer guidance and compassion throughout your life. It’s especially important during a stressful time, such as a holiday. You can look into your local sober community for help in arranging a sober holiday. Throwing sober holiday parties and events is common in sober communities and happens fairly often. It’s encouraged to attend these events so you can get an idea of how to throw your own sober holiday event.
If you need help finding a sober community to be a part of, contact your local addiction treatment facility. Painted Desert Recovery is an example of an addiction treatment facility with a large peer network and sober community. If at any time you feel as though you need help or you are in danger of a relapse, reach out for assistance right away. Everyone deserves help, no matter what time of the year.
Tip 5: Give Back During Your Sober Holiday
There are other ways to bring joy to the holidays besides spending time with loved ones. One way to help take your mind off of your problems and stress to is reach out and help others. Consider volunteering or participating in events to help those who are less fortunate than yourself. Cooking food at a shelter, participating in a clothing or toy drive, or helping an elderly neighbor mow the lawn can be immensely helpful. One small act of kindness can grow over time, encouraging others to help as well.
Also, consider helping your peers in their recovery. If you are able, be a shoulder that a peer can lean on during the holidays. Giving support not only helps them, but it also helps you.
With these tips, anyone can have an exciting and fun sober holiday. By being a good example to others, you dismantle stigma and show others it’s possible to live a sober life as well.
The holidays can be a major trigger for many people in recovery. Substance use, especially alcohol use, is often encouraged by others during holidays. It’s why those in recovery have to work extra hard to be vigilant and take care of themselves, especially when facing peer pressure. Thankfully, there is always help available for those who need it, no matter what stage in recovery they are. At Painted Desert Recovery in New Harmony, Utah, clients learn how to navigate life post-treatment to live a healthy sober life. With support and quality addiction treatment, anyone can achieve recovery, including yourself and your loved ones. To learn more about addiction treatment options available at Painted Desert Recovery, call (844) 540-0353 today.
