If you’ve recently embarked on a journey of sobriety, or you just sometimes get a little anxious around holiday times, we can help you know how to stay sober over the holiday. It is normal to feel nervous or pressured when around substances, but it is important to remember to say strong and know that there are people and resources around who can help you. Below are a few different ways to help you on your road to recovery.
Plan ahead
If you know a big holiday party is coming up, make sure to plan how you will attend. Potential options include volunteering to be the designated driver, bringing a sober friend as a wingman (woman), and of course, paying very close attention to your feelings and emotional relapse triggers.
Surround yourself with the right people
At any event, there will be people who bring out the best in you and people who can bring upon stress, anxieties, or other emotions that can lead to you taking a drink. Ironically, this can many times be our family and loved ones. Take stock of where you are going and who will be there. Is it positive for your recovery? Do you feel stressed even thinking about going? Then you probably shouldn’t go. Be sure to hang around the people who are aware of your recovery and those who will help you stay on track.
Improving your self-care
Be mindful of your health during the holidays so that you can keep any potential relapse opportunities away. Doing things like eating right (not a ton of sugar with highs and lows), exercising, and getting on a better sleeping schedule can help you in your battle against any triggers that may arise from the holidays. Other forms of self-care are meditation, self-reflection, and spending time with those you love. Taking care of yourself can go a long way in your fight for sobriety and your overall health.
New traditions
As you work on the new, healthier you, it can be a good idea to create new holiday traditions that involve helping others with the same issues that have haunted you in the past. New traditions can involve hosting your own sober party, hanging out with other sober friends, or volunteering at a rehab center. All of these not only will help you stay sober during the holidays, but they are a sure fire way to stay sober year round.
Make sobriety your highest priority
Attending a holiday party is perfectly reasonable. We don’t get sober to stay on our couch isolated forever. We want to live the life we dreamed in our addiction. However, it is important to keep your priorities straight and put certain things in front of others. If you’ve battled an alcohol addiction or an addiction to any other substance, you probably feel that maintaining your new lifestyle is one of the most important, if not the most important, aspect of your life. Ultimately, any party or event is optional, and if you really feel that going will bring out your old self, consider staying home. You’ll feel much better about yourself and your recovery the next day. We like to say that getting sober allows us to not be so concerned with the night, but we look forward to the next day. This is what sobriety gives us.
Get the tools you need to stay sober this holiday season
If you need a helping hand, San Diego Sober Living is the premier sober living facility in beautiful San Diego, California, can provide the support you need. Contact us today to learn more about how we help recovering addicts stay clean after rehab.