You will have no access to alcohol and in some cases, you may not be able to have much contact with the outside world during some of this treatment. However, if you are a severe alcoholic, it may be the best thing for you. Create a fun Halloween scavenger event for your friends or extended family. Give all the participants a printed list of items to ask for around town. The first to find all the items and turn them in wins a fun prize.

Understanding the Challenges of Staying Sober During Holidays

Having an exit strategy for these events is imperative. Driving ourselves to a party or being sure we can access a car service should we carpool is an important detail to keep in mind. Sharing rides with friends who will want to stay the entire evening is too risky if we begin to feel uncomfortable.

Behavioral Addictions And The Holidays

As with depression, anxiety is linked to addiction, making feelings of anxiety triggering for many people in recovery. The holiday season can bring with it emotional triggers, anxiety around socializing, and other seasonal stressors that may present a challenge when it comes to staying on track in your recovery. Some families might consider the holidays an inappropriate time to help a loved one get into addiction treatment when, in fact, it could be an ideal opportunity. For many of the reasons mentioned earlier, substance abuse tends to ramp up over the holidays. Addiction treatment initiated during the holidays could be the best gift you give to your family, your friends and yourself. You need to investigate and challenge the internal monologue about what you are owed and what you are lacking—some of which might be a carryover from addiction.

Seek support if you are stressed

Consider looking for additional support during the holidays through a recovery support group, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA). 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. Thanksgiving is known for being a holiday that features a lot of food, as well as drinking for those who don’t abstain from alcohol. Holiday parties often include alcohol and can be tricky to navigate for people who are in any stage of the recovery process. 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.

• You arrange your flights yourself and bear in mind that most destinations/hotels have standard check-in times of between 3p – 4p and check out between 10a – 11a.
• What’s most important in the event of a relapse is how you respond to it.
• Before your holiday schedule becomes packed with parties, get-togethers, family dinners, and more, commit to getting regular sleep.
• By implementing these practical strategies, you can confidently navigate holiday events without compromising your sobriety.
• A relapse can be defined as a return to drug use after a period of abstinence.

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 back into destructive drug or drinking habits is possible. It is also a fun night for many adults, who may celebrate https://ecosoberhouse.com/ by throwing a party that involves drinking alcohol or using drugs. For many people, including those in recovery, the holidays stir up difficult memories. Feelings of loneliness can be triggering for people in recovery, even if they have a solid social support system.

• As such, taking a holiday can seem like a frightening prospect.
• By assessing and thinking about everything, you are able to see and judge things as they should be.
• Keep building on your recovery foundation and reevaluate the party invites next year.
• Her mother-in-law makes hateful comments in Julie’s direction regarding everything from her parenting to her weight.

You will only enter the facility when it comes time for scheduled treatment sessions with a professional. This also may be the next step down after someone has completed an inpatient stay at a facility. This is what you need if your problem is so severe, you can’t control your desire to drink. Alcohol rehabs can offer this to you as a way to detox successfully and start the recovery process.

Indulge in Nonalcoholic Holiday Drinks

• Genuinely effective treatment is a holistic process that addresses the mind, body, and soul.
• You need to investigate and challenge the internal monologue about what you are owed and what you are lacking—some of which might be a carryover from addiction.
• This technique involves staying in the moment and quieting your mind.
• In the end, the humility you gain will only strengthen your recovery.

We do not control the culinary options on any of our trips. So, each vacation will be different, but we generally choose resorts and experiences that offer a wide range of quality food. That usually includes options for people with even the most restrictive sober holidays diets. After years of offering flights, we have found that it is both easier & cheaper for you to arrange your flights yourself. Bear in mind that most destinations/hotels have standard check-in times of between 3p – 4p and check out between 10a – 11a.

Be mindful of what you’re drinking—and thinking

How to Stay Sober During the Holiday: Mindful Approaches