Social events often revolve around food and drinks, with alcohol playing a central role. The pressure to “join the celebration” or respond to comments like “just one drink sober holidays won’t hurt” can feel overwhelming. For many of us, the holiday season is a complicated one of joy and excitement mixed with anxiety or sadness.
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- If you’re feeling isolated, overwhelmed or tempted to use, reach out.
- It’s about taking care of your long-term recovery and well-being.
- But consider what lengths you went to for purposes of your addiction?
- Over the years, I have developed my own practices that not only help me stay sane and sober through the holidays, but which also help me enjoy the holidays.
- The holiday season is no time to go it alone – staying connected to your recovery support network is key to navigating the season successfully.
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- The truth is other people have the ability to take care of themselves.
- This practice can help shift your focus from stress or temptation to the positive aspects of your life.
- These tools can provide motivation, daily tips, and even connect you with a community of people who are also working to maintain their sobriety.
- Even with planning, prevention, and a support network, there may still be moments of stress or temptation.
“I won’t have as much fun if I’m not drinking.”
- Afterward, you will feel one step freer from the destructive patterns that have dragged you down in the past.
- It’s no easy feat, psychotherapist Hanna Zipes Basel tells PS.
- Holidays bring a mix of joy and stress, often intensified for those in recovery.
- If you know the holiday is going to be difficult, attend a meeting the night before.
- You are greater than the sum of your challenges—and you are a person with their own story—not a statistic.
Develop coping skills while maintaining sobriety. Instead of viewing the holidays as a test, try seeing them as an opportunity to grow and heal. Many people in recovery find that the holidays begin to take on new meaning when substances are no longer the center of the experience. You can redefine the season based on connection, clarity, spirituality, service, or rest.
Create New Sober Traditions
Also, if these are other people who are trying to be sober, they are actually helping their own recovery by being of service to you. Luckily, Into Action has options for dealing with your family holiday Alcoholics Anonymous without sacrificing your sobriety or sanity. Reach out to us anytime for resources and support. In that time, Julie’s brother-in-law, who always arrives under the influence of drugs, drinks too much and starts arguments. Flexibility and resilience are vital to navigating unexpected situations while staying sober.