Put your foot down regarding things you don’t want to do but be nice about. Our Addiction & Mental Health Helpline is available 24/7, even on holidays. It means experiencing them fully, with presence, peace, and gratitude. To explore additional treatment options, you can view editorially selected providers on our site or visit the SAMHSA Treatment Locator. Recovery Guide LLC does sober holidays not endorse any treatment provider, and we do not guarantee the quality of care, outcomes, or results from any treatment program listed or advertised on our site. All information is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Understanding Holiday Challenges in Addiction Recovery
Often, people in recovery will have to deal with family members who are drinking. This can be a difficult situation, but it’s important to remember that you don’t have to drink just because others are. New Year’s Eve is often a difficult holiday for people who are trying to stay sober. The pressure to drink can be intense, and the temptation to celebrate with a glass of champagne can be strong. However, for people in recovery, it can remind them of all the negative things that happened in the past year.
Staying Sober This Holiday Season: 10 Tips to Keep Your Recovery on Track
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- This means helping others in your recovery community, volunteering your time, and giving back to your addiction treatment center or sober living house.
- You’ll run into phrases like “just one” or minimizing remarks that test boundaries.
- Creating a detailed plan before attending holiday gatherings serves as your first line of defense in protecting your recovery.
- Start by identifying specific triggers you might encounter—whether it’s certain family members, locations where you previously drank, or the sight of alcohol itself.
- Tell them how you are feeling about the upcoming holiday and ask if you can call them if you feel in danger of relapsing.
Q: How can I plan ahead to protect my sobriety when staying sober during holidays and special events?
Stay connected to your support network, whether it’s through meetings, therapy, online recovery communities, or phone calls with loved ones. Talking to someone who understands can make a huge difference. Remember, staying sober during the holidays isn’t just about saying no to alcohol. It’s about taking care of your long-term recovery and well-being. The holidays are a short period, but your recovery is worth protecting.
Tips to Stay Sober on Vacation
Early signs of a relapse or slip may be identified by family members, friends, or other loved ones, such as a spouse. Knowing which foods and food groups support your mood and give you energy is crucial to navigating the holidays, when people typically go heavy on sweets, carbs, or saturated fats. Many people have activities or interests that help keep them balanced. Some triggers can be more general, like being at a bar, while others can be very personal to your own experience, such as being with someone you used to drink heavily with.
Addictions
- Old patterns, unresolved conflicts, and well-meaning but intrusive relatives may create emotional pressure that threatens your recovery.
- Use coping strategies and ask for help when needed—these practical actions make staying sober during holidays and special events achievable.
- I once attended a holiday party where everyone was eager to reconnect, raising their glasses to toast at every chance.
- By defining what you will and won’t engage in, you take back control over your recovery journey.
Volunteer at a local soup kitchen, go ice skating with friends, or start a new holiday tradition with your family. The more you keep your mind off drinking, the less likely you will relapse. Just like certain people and places can trigger a craving for drugs or alcohol, certain foods and drinks can also be triggers. If you know that alcoholism eggnog makes you want to drink, then don’t have any around the house.
Family therapy rebuilds trust, heals old wounds, and teaches healthy communication. When loved ones understand addiction together, relapse risk drops and long-term recovery strengthens. Empower Recovery includes family sessions to support lasting sobriety. Common triggers include alcohol-focused gatherings, unresolved family conflict, anniversaries tied to past use, late-night fatigue and social media comparisons. List your top five triggers and note the specific cues—names, locations, smells or phrases—so you can spot risk early and activate an escape or coping plan before urges intensify. Tell close family 48–72 hours ahead about your boundaries and what support you need—no drinking games, no pressuring, or a designated sober zone.
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