While many consider the holidays to be the most wonderful time of the year, for those in recovery, it can be a very difficult season. With countless invitations to family and friends’ holiday parties, learning how to have a sober Christmas is the first step in staying substance-free this holiday season.
Enjoying a sober holiday this Christmas may be challenging, but it is entirely possible. While you might try avoiding substances or staying away from holiday parties entirely, the truth is that you can have a sober Christmas without giving up the holiday cheer.
Why It’s Important to Have a Sober Christmas
The holiday spirit comes from the friends and family members that you surround yourself with during this time of year. While hosting a party complete with liquor and other paraphernalia may be a tradition for some, it doesn’t need to be for you. Let this holiday season be an opportunity to bring your loved ones together to celebrate sobriety.
While it may be tempting to excuse a sip of alcohol here or there, the truth is that on the path to recovery, any form of alcohol or substance use is a threat to your sobriety. To maintain the progress you’ve already made, it’s important to have a sober Christmas as you completely avoid using any addictive substances. By choosing to surround yourself with a substance-free environment throughout the holidays, you’ll give yourself the best opportunity to maintain your recovery while partaking in holiday festivities.
How to Have a Sober Christmas
A major part of having a sober Christmas is being intentional about everything. If you’re planning to attend a Christmas party, be sure to ask the host ahead of time what drinks will be served and if there will be any substances at the party. If possible, request that the host maintains a sober environment until later in the evening. This way, you’ll be able to come early and mingle before saying your goodbyes.
Many individuals in recovery choose to skip any holiday celebrations to avoid all of the questions curious guests are sure to ask about their sobriety. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. If you’d like to have a celebration where you have more control over the party, consider throwing your own sober party. This way, you can choose to only invite guests that are sober as well, making sure the environment is a comfortable and positive atmosphere for all that attend/
Recovery During the Holidays
Whatever you choose to celebrate the holidays, always know that support is a call away. The best way to make sure you’re prepared to stay sober all holiday long is to rely on drugs and alcohol addiction treatment. Wherever you may be in your recovery process, seeking additional support from a treatment facility will provide you with the necessary resources to overcome your triggers.
Choosing to visit a rehab facility ahead of the holidays will provide you with resources such as:
- Substance abuse treatment
- Family therapy program
- Alcohol addiction treatment
- Opiate addiction treatment
- Dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy
One of the best ways to ensure you have a sober holiday season is to enter a recovery treatment program at a rehab center. With various substance abuse programs available, getting started as soon as possible will help you overcome your addiction this season. Though the recovery process is far from easy, your sobriety is the best possible gift to give yourself during this time of year.
Don’t let the holidays threaten your sobriety. With the support of an addiction treatment facility, you’ll be better equipped to enjoy your holiday as you enter recovery. Contact us at 855.730.8825 to learn more about your available options.
