And always remember that help is available if you need it. Regardless of the level of sobriety you’re aiming for, the important thing is that you’re making a conscious choice to be mindful of your substance use. 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. Whether you are newly sober or 5 years into your recovery, it can be difficult to gear up for sobriety during the holidays.
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If you need assistance, Koob recommends talking to your primary care physician or thumbing through the NIAAA’s treatment navigator. Sandwiches and snacks make a delicious addition to a beach day, but they’re also important when you’re drinking out in the sun. Binge drinking is a pattern of drinking alcohol that increases the BAC to 0.08 or higher. For adults, this is five or more drinks for men and four or more for women in two hours. Binge drinking and heavy drinking can increase your risk of an alcohol use disorder.
Follow these tips for how to stay sober during the holidays, according to experts
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.
- It’s important to take a moment and reflect on the consequences of relapse during the holiday season.
- Mindfulness is one particularly helpful strategy to combat stress.
- Choose at least 30 SPF and use a full ounce of sunscreen, experts previously told USA TODAY.
- For people in recovery, it can be hard to resist the temptation of alcohol when it’s present at the dinner table.
Exploring the Benefits and Pitfalls of Medication Assisted Treatment
Start looking at the weird and wonderful things that are going on in the area. You have more time now to put some effort into planning a little more. Book some new things, but also leave some time for impromptu mini-adventures if the moment takes you. Additionally, many cities offer holiday markets, ice skating rinks, and light displays that can be enjoyed without alcohol. Embrace the opportunity to explore these events and create new traditions that celebrate the season without compromising your sobriety. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s essential to carve out moments of peace and reflection.
Tip 3: Prioritizing Your Recovery
- Seeking professional assistance is a sign of strength and a proactive step towards safeguarding your recovery.
- Take the time to reflect on how far you’ve come and the positive changes you’ve made in your life.
- Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s essential to carve out moments of peace and reflection.
- Reach out to your therapist, counselor, or sponsor for guidance and support.
Drinking 5 days a week can leave you tired and lethargic and in need of a ‘real’ holiday. If you or someone you care about is struggling with substance abuse, don’t wait to get help – sober holidays hope and healing are available at Valley Hope 24/7. If you have had a slip, or a series of slips, over the holidays, the most important thing you can do is talk to someone about it.
- Homeless shelters, recovery programs, community toy drives – volunteer to help others this season and stay out of your head.
- Perhaps there’s a caroling group you can join, or a holiday bazaar where people share homemade arts and crafts.
- This could be anything from going for a walk in nature, practicing yoga, reading a book, or spending quality time with loved ones who support your sobriety.
- The holiday season can be filled with triggers and temptations, but with the right mindset and preparation, you can stay on track with your recovery journey.
- On our Sober Village there are 5 scheduled meetings each day.
If you’re looking for resources and tools to help you stay on track in your recovery during the holidays, AddictionResource.net has 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. 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. A mistake is not a relapse, and it’s not going to land you in rehab, but those secrets might. If you’ve been sober a long time, you may already have a go-to answer when confronted about why you don’t drink alcohol.
