The Ultimate Guide for Surviving the Holidays Sober and Clean

surviving the holidays sober

The Gottman Relationship Adviser is a complete approach to relationship wellness. If you missed our blog from Tuesday, 5 Tips for Being (and Staying) Sober at Holiday Parties, go ahead and give it a read now (or save it for later – that works, too). First, I drive separately so I can leave whenever I want. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information. We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand.

surviving the holidays sober

Ideas to Help You Stay Sober During The Holidays

  • We helped our children through the uncertainty and loss of the pandemic with vulnerable conversations and “natural highs,” such as daily walks in nature, family games, and movie nights.
  • It is not the end of the world to be selective with which events one can attend.
  • This in itself is enough to give anyone a little anxiety but how to actually attend these parties without the comfort of alcohol or drugs – don’t even get us started.

It’s about finding joy in new ways and reaffirming our commitment to a life of sobriety. Any general advice posted on our blog, website, or app is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace or substitute for any medical or other advice. If you have specific concerns or a situation arises in which you require medical advice, you should consult with an appropriately trained and qualified medical services provider.

Set Realistic Expectations

  • Although the holidays are supposed to be cheerful, they present a lot of stress.
  • Holiday gatherings with family and even friends can be trying.
  • One of the most dangerous times for someone with substance use disorder is the holidays.
  • Maybe you are worried about your own drug use, or maybe you’re worried about the drug use of someone else.
  • If you are going to be visiting family for a period of time during the holidays, start planning activities outside of the family function.

This year may lead to a sense of obligation to resume past large holiday traditions, while some may truly prefer to attend smaller, more intimate social events. Given that the pandemic has been connected to an increase in drinking and substance use across the country, people may be using more heavily this season. Additionally, there has also been an abrupt increase in mental health issues and other life stressors that could lead some to self-medicate. Traveling may also be more pressured for some and may also be avoided by others. Finally, we are living in a heated political atmosphere and family events may elicit unwanted conversations and conflict about these topics. Sober Holidays Tip #8  Do a Recovery Zone ReCheck before the holidays get started.

Detailed Strategies for Staying Sober During The Holidays

surviving the holidays sober

With a little bit of planning and https://ecosoberhouse.com/ self-care, you can make a sober holiday feel fun again. There might be times when you feel too overwhelmed to stay at a holiday function, and that’s okay. A good way to handle this is to plan your exit before you even show up at the party.

  • And it doesn’t get more human, or more recovery, than that.
  • When we’re triggered our ability to think clearly is compromised.
  • Read this article and watch our video about tips and strategies for taking care of yourself this holiday season.
  • Maybe this is the year for some new holiday traditions.
  • Take a tip from Taylor Swift and push the nasty digs and dips in mood aside.

surviving the holidays sober

With a little imagination and planning, you can enjoy the festivities without risking sober holidays everything you have worked so hard to achieve. Everyone has a wish list for the holidays, but far too often that list becomes a set of expectations rather than wants. When we live in a state of expectation, we will almost always be disappointed. Not only do our expectations serve to rob us of the joy of the moment, but they also have a way of getting transmitted to those around us.

“I couldn’t have done any of this without Workit Health—they literally saved my life.”

surviving the holidays sober

Surviving the holidays sober sometimes requires bowing out for quick breathers during parties or family gatherings. Whether you go outside for air or simply escape to a vacant room, no one will notice you are gone. Taking a time out is often a useful tool in recovery because it gives us space to recharge. It also helps break up the time, so if need be, make multiple disappearing acts throughout the night. Finding serenity and peace is a big part of recovery, but if you’re feeling triggered at a holiday event, it’s fine to get busy.