The holidays are a fun and joyous time but can also be an emotional and stressful time as well. It can be challenging trying to remain sober while attending so many large group gatherings or situations where you once used to consume alcohol or other substances. Family and friend dynamics can also dredge up past feelings and be triggers. Here are 5 tips for remaining sober during the holidays:
Talk about your recovery
It may feel good to talk about your recovery journey and how far you have come. It can be inspiring to both yourself as well as others. Letting people know you are in recovery not only makes you proactive in situations where someone might ask if you would like a drink, but also increased your support system. However, if you encounter someone who want to talk about it more than you feel comfortable, be open about not wanting to discuss it any further or remove yourself from the situation.
Be comfortable saying “No”
Remember that you are not obligated to participate in any event that you do not want to or feel comfortable doing. If you feel that a particular situation may hinder your recovery, politely decline the invite. If you feel like a certain person’s influence is not conducive to your sobriety, do not engage yourself with them.
Prioritize self care
Take time for yourself to mentally, physically and emotionally recharge. Do not feel guilty if you need to cancel plans to take care of yourself. Be mindful of your sleep, nutrition and fitness. Take time to meditate and take walks to clear your mind from the holiday clutter and be mindful or your emotions and feeling.
Seek extra support if you feel overwhelmed
Many recovery meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous as well as our services at Lake Ave Recovery continue to provide support during the holidays. There is no shame in reaching out for additional help when you need it, it can be the factor that prevents a relapse.
Don’t be too hard on yourself
At Lake Ave Recovery we recognize that the holiday season is a time to celebrate, but it is also a time to celebrate your sobriety and achievements. Your recovery is a journey and it takes time to build yourself into the strong sober individual you aspire to be. If moments feel hard, know that that is OK. It is how you handle those hard moments that matters.
Why Choose Lake Ave Recovery for your Recovery Needs?
At Lake Ave Recovery, we offer varying levels of care.
We guide individuals down a comprehensive addiction recovery path that includes a Day Treatment Program/Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), Evening Treatment Program, and a flexible Outpatient Program.
Our experienced medical and clinical staff use a comprehensive assessment to determine which level of treatment would be most suitable to ensure you or your loved one gets the help they deserve.