This way you’ll have the means to leave at any time you deem necessary for yourself, for your safety, and for your sobriety. The holidays can be a fun and exciting time of year, but also a stressful and emotional time as well. Here are 10 quick tips for maintaining your sobriety, and sanity, during the winter holidays and into the new year. Graduating from rehab is no easy feat, and it’s one to be proud of, but if you’re struggling to adapt to the lack of intensive care and support, that’s okay, it’s completely normal. If you aren’t feeling ready to be around alcohol-infused parties or have already gone to a few and have recognized you’ve reached your limit, you can always host your own sober party. One of the best ways you can take care of your mental health and your sobriety during these months is to practice and establish the habit of self-awareness.

The most important thing is that you follow your instincts in what feels comfortable for you and stay close to that feeling. Make sure to put your sobriety first for as long as needed and the rest will follow. However, if you’re not quite ready to talk about sobriety with others, especially strangers, it’s perfectly fine to use another response instead. You can simply say you don’t feel like drinking, or offer another excuse like you’re a designated driver or that you have to be up early. Another response option is to say you’re watching what you put in your body during the holiday season, which means cutting back on alcohol to avoidnegative long-term effects.

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If you don’t have a plan in place for when this occurs, you may feel pressured to accept a drink. First off, it’s important to know that you can refuse a drink without explaining yourself — you don’t owe anyone an explanation for your sobriety. Another way to avoid this situation is to keep a glass of water or soda in your hand. People are less likely to offer a drink if they see you are already sipping on something. Note this is written for people who plan to be around other people.

Either way, most addiction recovery agencies, treatment centers, and domestic violence resources increase efforts during the holidays. You aren’t alone, and you don’t have to feel unsafe. Call a local treatment center like Into Action Recovery Centers or a local crisis line. Make this holiday the last unsafe holiday for you and your family. In the past, your holidays were likely filled with getting hammered, because it was completely, socially acceptable. Maybe you stole away into the night to meet up with friends and use, just to make it easier to talk with or bear family back home.

) Identify your triggers and have coping mechanisms in place

You’ll learn about the region, make friends – and have lots of fun. Focus on your sobriety, practice vital relapse-prevention skills, and start your new year feeling fully rejuvenated. 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 https://ecosoberhouse.com/ a wide range of quality food. That usually includes options for people with even the most restrictive diets. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to sail down the Mekong River and visit some of the most extraordinary sights SE Asia has to offer. If you have never been to Southeast Asia, it is a truly life changing experience.

You find yourself pushing the day out of your mind. When it sober holidays comes up, you look for something to take off the edge.

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Spending the holidays with people who are on a similar journey can transform this challenging season into a time of connection and more meaningful belonging. For many of the reasons mentioned above, the holidays may be an ideal time to access treatment from a substance abuse program. Whether that means entering a rehab facility or attending an outpatient addiction treatment program, there are many support options available. Most people’s holiday seasons don’t look like a Norman Rockwell painting, and it’s normal for those in recovery to feel a sense of loss or separation. The holidays can be exhilarating, offering an opportunity to reconnect with people you haven’t seen in a long time. But don’t lose touch with your mental or emotional state in the holiday frenzy. Set yourself up for successful sober holidays by checking in with yourself.