Her mother-in-law makes hateful comments in Julie’s direction regarding everything from her parenting to her weight. Julie is often criticized for her husband’s mistakes within his family. Julie dreads holidays with her in-laws but feels like she has no choice in the matter. Remember, urges will pass and this time of year will pass.
Be of Service to Friends and Family
“Sheer exhilaration can be a good substitute for craving a glass of wine,” says Lauren Burnison, founder of We Love Lucid, a European sober tour company. “On the trips I organize, we do adventurous things, like windsurfing or hiking.” I started kayaking in early sobriety and try to sneak in an early morning paddle wherever I go. You, nor your loved one, are under any obligation to commit to a Legacy Healing Center treatment program when calling the helpline. If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please contact at Let this be an opportunity to grow and make better choices next time.
Maintain Your Recovery Routine
The high-functioning alcoholic (HFA) in particular is able to keep many aspects of life intact. Therefore, relatives may not have realized the severity of his or her alcoholism and may minimize the problem or not understand why the HFAs need to be sober. Sober HFAs may be dodging drinks or surrounded by family members drinking socially or alcoholically and this inevitably can be a challenging dynamic to navigate. Although the holiday season is known as a particularly difficult time for people in recovery, other holidays can also be just as triggering. Share with your family and friends so they can help and support your recovery.
- Our programs provide compassionate, evidenced-based therapies, medical detox services, residential treatment, outpatient treatment and virtual treatment programs.
- But even if you’re not a morning person, non-alcoholic drinks are delicious and easy to come by – from indigenous herbal teas and chichas made of corn to other fruit flavors.
- A sober vacation is a vacation where you don’t drink alcohol and stay away from drugs.
Staying Sober During The Holidays: 12 Tips
Find some quiet time each day for relaxation and meditation—if only for a few minutes, no matter how busy you are. If you want to stay sober during the holidays, look for every opportunity to be of service. Serve a meal at a homeless shelter, reach out to a newcomer at a meeting, spend time with an elderly loved one or neighbor. There are a million different ways to give back, pay it forward and be of service, and each opportunity guides you further away from resentment, self-pity and fear. Next on our list of sober vacation destinations in the US is Denver. The Mile High City is one of the most beautiful places in Colorado.
In the United States, the Fourth of July is often a day of celebration, with fireworks, barbecues, and getting together with friends or family. Some people drink or use drugs when they’re lonely or sad. People in early recovery who have spent a lot of time in treatment recently may be especially burdened by financial issues this time of year, causing added stress. Many of the biggest holidays in the U.S. — Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve — take place relatively close together, bringing people together often to celebrate. If you or someone you care about is struggling with substance abuse, don’t wait to get help – hope and healing are available at Valley Hope 24/7.
It’s a dry town which means that the local government banned the sale of alcohol. Plus, you can enjoy its famous Broadwalk, rent some watersport equipment, sober holidays and enjoy a dip in the ocean. Now, for a taste of pure excitement and fun, Orlando in Florida is one of the best sober vacation destinations in the US.
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. This can be helpful in times of stress, where you may find yourself struggling to think clearly or rationally about how to cope with urges to drink alcohol or use drugs. Feelings of loneliness can be triggering for people in recovery, even if they have a solid social support system.
This means helping others in your recovery community, volunteering your time, and giving back to your addiction treatment center or sober living house. You can also visit homeless shelters or people in the hospital to spread holiday cheer.When you focus on helping others, you’re less likely to think about using drugs or alcohol. Plus, you’ll feel good knowing that you’re making a difference in the lives of others. If you do attend a party where drinks are served, prepare yourself for the event. Walk through potential party scenarios and how you will react. Plan your arrival and departure, who you will spend time with – and who you will not.
Or you can connect with a trusted friend or family member who has supported you throughout your recovery journey. Making it through the holidays without slipping https://ecosoberhouse.com/ back into destructive drug or drinking habits is possible. Maintaining sobriety during the holidays, and sticking to your treatment plan, is possible.
Hatch a holiday escape plan, and plan to protect your sobriety
No matter where you go or who you surround yourself with, you’re virtually guaranteed to encounter temptations, triggers, and other challenges. You can accomplish this by limiting the expectations you put on yourself and by setting and maintaining firm boundaries. If this is the case for you, consider limiting the amount of time you spend with family or setting boundaries beforehand. If you know that your mom or uncle becomes more difficult to be around after a few hours, you can come prepared with an excuse to leave early. You could also plan to attend holiday events with a supportive friend or loved one who can help keep you grounded in your sobriety goals.
