Begin by choosing a destination that aligns with your wellness goals. Pack your support tools, from meditation apps to inspiring books. Challenge yourself to try one new experience each day of your holiday. This approach keeps your mind engaged and creates lasting memories. For example, if you’re at a beach destination, you could try surfing one day, snorkeling the next, and then attend a local cooking class. By sober holidays constantly introducing new experiences, you’ll find that alcohol isn’t necessary for enjoyment.
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- Options include crafting mocktails, exploring outdoor adventures, and participating in social events like trivia nights or photo walks.
- Recovery is a journey, and showing yourself kindness is crucial for maintaining long-term sobriety.
- Co-occurring disorders, also known as dual diagnosis or comorbidity, refer to the presence of both a mental health…
- Voices is dedicated to featuring a wide range of inspiring personal stories and impactful opinions from the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.
- Check the We Love Lucid website to find out where and when upcoming trips are planned.
Explore if you can get around alcohol withdrawal symptoms with effective strategies and compassionate care. Discover the best inpatient detox centers for effective recovery with 24/7 support and personalized care. Planning should also involve crafting a list of prepared refusals for when drinks are offered. Having these ready can make declining alcohol more seamless, ensuring you can maintain your boundaries effectively. The helpline at AddictionResource.net is available 24/7 to discuss the treatment needs of yourself or a loved one.
Building a Robust Support System
A significant portion, over 40%, reported actively trying to cut back on drinking, an increase of 7% from the previous year. Norwegian Cruise Line, for its part, earned recognition for having the best adult alcohol-free beverage program at the 2023 Vibe Vista Awards. New alcohol-free options have also popped up at conventional hotels and resorts.
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Avoid overcommitting, and choose to partake in events that enrich your recovery experience instead of overwhelming it. Don’t worry about facing this holiday season in recovery alone. Consider looking for additional support during the holidays through a recovery support group, such as Alcoholics Anonymous drug addiction (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.
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- Having a sober companion can make navigating potentially triggering situations easier and more enjoyable.
- Recognizing these difficulties is the first step in creating a plan to protect your sobriety during the holidays.
- Focusing on gratitude, staying mindful, and leaning on your support network can help you turn holiday obstacles into opportunities for growth and joy.
- It’s a great idea to sign up for Lauren’s newsletter to stay up to date too.
- Sober has developed a fun challenge for those who restrain from alcohol or reduce their consumption in January through its free app.
Have a bedtime routine that allows you enough time to process what happened during the day. Maybe you need a few minutes to meditate before going to bed. Before your holiday schedule becomes packed with parties, get-togethers, family dinners, and more, commit to getting regular sleep. Writing down your plans ahead of time can give you a roadmap for what to do when and if you encounter specific situations. If you are in recovery, especially if you’re newly sober, this might be difficult to be around. Sober Holidays Tip #14 Bring recovery reading when you travel.
If you are interested in discussing a sober vacation please contact us at CATCH Recovery. We will take your details and pass them over to our holiday providers who can contact you https://ecosoberhouse.com/ directly. One of the benefits of sober travel is the ability to be fully present in each moment.
- Explore the riveting history of addiction treatment & rehab, from ancient methods to modern advancements.
- Ensure you maintain healthy routines, such as accepting enough rest, eating nutritious meals, and integrating exercise into your daily activities.
- Explore powerful ways to take care of your mental health, from lifestyle habits to social support.
- Whether it’s declining an invitation to a party or choosing not to engage in certain family discussions, setting boundaries is a powerful way to protect your recovery.
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. Then you can break down those defensive walls and forgive other people, and you can approach the holiday season with a stronger sense of gratitude. For many of us, the holidays are a season of peace and joy, where we decorate our memories with calm and happy moments. Staying sober during the holidays is entirely possible with the right preparation, mindset, and support. By implementing these strategies, you can not only survive the holiday season but thrive in it, creating meaningful experiences and memories. Remember, you don’t have to do this alone – Cedar Recovery is here to support you every step of the way.
Start Each Day by Listing Three Things You’re Grateful For
For those in early recovery, life is planned around maintaining freedom from addiction. As such, taking a holiday can seem like a frightening prospect. The choosing of a place to stay, the packing, the travelling from A to B, the pressure to have a good time, and, most significantly, the prevention of relapse. There are many sober ‘firsts’ in recovery – first sober Christmas, first sober wedding, first sober date – which we cautiously consider to ensure we have enough support.
Preparing for the Holiday Season: A Proactive Recovery Plan
Start planning your strategy now, with these #soberholidays tips from The Recovery Book and the workbook companion My Life in Recovery. Embark on a journey of self-discovery and learn how to overcome addiction with professional strategies and support. Discover four triggers for relapse in recovery and learn how to navigate the path to lasting sobriety. Discover essential substance use disorder helplines for compassionate support and effective treatment options. 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.