How to Stay Sober During the Holidays Mental & Emotional Alcoholics Anonymous Cleveland

Mentally rehearsing what I was going to share with others about my decision to stop drinking eased a lot of anxiety in my early days of socializing sober. There are a lot of stigmas that come with sobriety, and it can be exhausting to navigate the never-ending stream of “why don’t you drink? The fear of being judged and not fitting in can feel crippling in early sobriety. You can let this person know that you are going to a gathering or party where there are likely to be triggers. When you experience an urge or craving you can step outside and call this person. Start planning your strategy now, with these #soberholidays tips from The Recovery Book and the workbook companion My Life in Recovery.

Tell Those You Trust That You’re in Recovery

Caring for yourself will give you the reserves to manage both holiday stress and drinking urges and help you to feel your best throughout the season. During the holidays, AA and NA have many gatherings that serve as safe and smart alternatives to alcohol-infused parties. The sober and sober-curious movement has been steadily growing for the last few years, with an increasing number of people deciding to ditch the booze and go “dry” instead. Growing up with two parents in recovery through AA, I used to believe the only reason to quit drinking was full-blown alcoholism until I realized that “Am I an alcoholic? Whether you are newly sober or 5 years into your recovery, it can be difficult to gear up for sobriety during the holidays.

How To Set Boundaries With Your Loved Ones

“If we put our family in front of our recovery, we might prioritize them so much that we end up relapsing and losing our family.” Many people want to support their loved ones, friends, and coworkers on their sobriety journey. “Don’t hesitate to let the host or close friends know about your commitment to sobriety,” Sultan said. “Most will be understanding and might even make accommodations for you.” “Attend gatherings with a friend who’s also sober or understands your journey,” Sultan said. To help support your sobriety over the next few months, we feel it’s important to share with tips to stay sober you our “12 Tips to Staying Clean and Sober during the Holidays”.

What Are Signs Of Addiction Relapse?

• She attends Al-Anon while her husband is in and out of Alcoholics Anonymous.
• Maybe you are worried about your own drug use, or maybe you’re worried about the drug use of someone else.
• “It’s OK to firmly yet politely decline offers to drink,” Sultan said.

Relapse among people with substance use disorder is not uncommon. Have a bedtime routine that allows you enough time to process what happened during the day. Maybe you need a few minutes to meditate before going to bed.

• Call your local United Way or house of worship for information on help with holiday meals and gifts for children.
• Before your holiday schedule becomes packed with parties, get-togethers, family dinners, and more, commit to getting regular sleep.
• If those thoughts begin to creep in—those rationalizations about your eminent capability to now handle your liquor—shut them down immediately.
• You may need to distance yourself from these events to protect your sobriety.
• This helpline is answered by Legacy Healing Center, an addiction treatment provider with treatment facilities in California, Florida, Ohio, and New Jersey.

• Feel confident that the best years of your life lie ahead of you.
• Remember that heavy drinking can be dangerous, even for people with no addiction disorders.
• Walk through potential party scenarios and how you will react.
• We’ve come up with 12 practical tips to help you maintain your sobriety throughout season.

This helpline is answered by Legacy Healing Center, an addiction treatment provider with treatment https://ecosoberhouse.com/ facilities in California, Florida, Ohio, and New Jersey. Don’t worry about facing this holiday season in recovery alone. Consider looking for additional support during the holidays through a recovery support group, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA). One of the best strategies for preventing a relapse is to identify your triggers and come up with strategies for either managing or avoiding those personal triggers when possible. Isolation and loneliness can be major triggers for relapse, especially during the holidays.

• Gone are the days of being limited to water and diet coke.
• Prioritize your wellbeing and make up an excuse for your absences.
• She’s allowed us to share her story, but we’ve changed her name to protect her anonymity.
• For the addicted person and their family, more stress means more vulnerability.
• Remember, each piece of additional treatment and support only strengthens your stand against relapse.

Trying to Stay Sober This Holiday Season? We’ve Got You Covered

Holiday parties often include alcohol and can be tricky to navigate for people who are in any stage of the recovery process. Maintaining sobriety during the holidays, and sticking to your treatment plan, is possible. Rollins said a concept learned in recovery can be a useful reminder to stay sober. “Anything we put in front of our recovery will lose,” Rollins said.

Replies to “37 Ideas to Help You Stay Sober During The Holidays”

So many of us have spent years pleasing others, only to drive ourselves deeper into addiction. It may surprise you how fun the holidays can be once you remove some of the stressors. The helpline at AddictionResource.net is available 24/7 to discuss the treatment needs of yourself or a loved one.