Sober and Happy Holidays Guide Northern California Drug, Alcohol Rehab

happy sober holidays

Keeping in touch with your support system throughout the holidays doesn’t just make for a merrier season. And it’s important to have someone to text or call if you find yourself struggling with alcohol cravings at a holiday event or in general. If you know Cousin Sadie is going to grill you about rehab, avoid her. If Uncle Brian is going to mix you a stiff drink, stay away from him.

Blog / 8 Tips for a Sober Holiday Season

Knowing what steps to take ahead of time, I can go anywhere. Samantha Stein, Psy.D., is a psychologist in private practice in San Francisco. She works with couples and individuals, specializing in intimacy, sexuality, and self-realization. Enter your phone number below to receive a free and confidential call from a treatment provider. Get the help you need from a therapist near you–a FREE service from Psychology Today.

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happy sober holidays

Some standard excuses are that you have to get up early the next day, you can’t mix alcohol with your medication, or you have to pick your child up on the way home. Our hope is merely to capture the spirit of the fellowships, and to approach people with the language they commonly use to describe the disease of addiction. Alcohol has been the central character in most of our cultural memories. Staying Present is about cherishing the company and enjoying the surroundings.

  • The focus has to be on the Here and Now rather than past events or tomorrow.
  • Having someone to talk to can significantly improve your mood and outlook.
  • Now is a great time to contact your therapist, attend self-help groups meetings, connecting with sober friends, practicing self-care and preparing in advance for the season.

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happy sober holidays

But the partying is back and the good news is that you can still avoid most holiday celebrations this year if you want to. That might provide some relief from the pressure of explaining your life. The holidays aren’t just filled with parties, Santa, and Aunt Betty’s famous fudge. They’re also jam-packed with time-strapped travel, stress, and high expectations. Sober Holidays Tip #12  Don’t romance the drink or drug.

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If everyone starts talking about the “good old days,” leave the room. You don’t want to change your focus to thoughts of your drinking or using days. That can lead to preoccupation and obsession, and then to cravings. Keep your focus on your life right now, your life in recovery. Seeing family, visiting old https://ecosoberhouse.com/ friends, having unfulfilled expectations, maybe missing a loved one you lost this year — it can all lead to tension and sadness, as well as thoughts of using.

Set achievable holiday goals, access financial support if necessary, and treat yourself with kindness. Maintain connections with fellow individuals in recovery and don’t be too harsh on yourself. Celebrate being there, being sober and able to fully experience the warmth and connection that the holiday season can bring.

Practice self-care throughout the holidays

Everyone is running on empty, and the annual fight is just waiting to happen. Planning a holiday in advance ensures you travel to safe places with safe people and are supported around anything that might trigger a relapse or emotional disturbance. Triggers whilst on holiday might be airports and flying, new environments with unfamiliar smells, sights and sounds, language barriers, jet lag, and/or the unknown more generally. Sober Holidays Tip #14 Bring recovery reading when you travel.

  • Make a plan now for how you will deal with these events; maybe you’ll go to some extra meetings before you travel, and plan to call your sponsor or a fellowship friend if anything does happen.
  • Our hope is merely to capture the spirit of the fellowships, and to approach people with the language they commonly use to describe the disease of addiction.
  • Our telehealth program gives you access to expert medical support, online coaching meetings, anti-craving medications, virtual support groups, and more—all from an app on your smartphone.

Top 4 Accident Rehabilitation Exercises

Nourish your spirit, too, through personal reflection and connection with those you love. Find some quiet time each day for relaxation and meditation—if only for sober holidays a few minutes, no matter how busy you are. At family gatherings and social events, tote around your favorite non-alcoholic drink.

  • Engaging in these activities brings a sense of fulfillment and joy.
  • For example, if you want to entertain, consider a potluck meal.
  • Being among the first to arrive allows me to connect with others before alcohol becomes the center of attention.
  • Take time to reflect on what you’re grateful for through a journal or by simply sharing moments of gratitude with loved ones.

This technique involves staying in the moment and quieting your mind. It’s about tuning into the sights and sounds around you allowing anxious thoughts to drift away. Maintain focus on health and sobriety by scheduling  self-care, just as you would any other critical appointment.

happy sober holidays

Initially, there may be worry that your absence would disappoint others. Or there may be concern that leaving early would raise eyebrows. However, prioritizing sobriety is the ultimate gift – not just for the individual – but for the people who matter most in an individual’s life. Friends, colleagues and family will appreciate a healthier, happier and sober ‘new you’ that comes from a commitment to recovery. By embracing new traditions, individuals are empowered to enjoy the holidays without feeling deprived or out of place.

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