The holidays are a time for family, friends, and celebrating. If you are in addiction recovery, you may wonder how you will navigate sober holiday activities during Thanksgiving and Christmas. This is unsurprising—a house celebrating sober holidays isn’t typical in the United States. Most Americans don’t know how to have sober holidays.
Most addiction treatment programs offer rehab aftercare services that help people deal with the new idea of sober holidays. Now that you’ve committed to a sober lifestyle, how do you celebrate events with friends and family? Call 1.844.768.0169 to speak with someone from The Right Step Houston’s caring and compassionate staff about our addiction treatment programs, including aftercare planning for sober holidays.
Holidays and Addiction Recovery
The thought of sober holiday activities can be daunting if you are used to celebrating holidays with drinking or using drugs. After all, most American holidays involve alcohol in some way. Whether it’s wine at Thanksgiving dinner or champagne toasts on New Year’s Eve, avoiding drinking during the holidays can feel next to impossible.
The key to having a successful and enjoyable holiday season in recovery is to find events and activities that support your sobriety. This means avoiding places and situations that may trigger your addiction. It also means finding new traditions you can enjoy without alcohol or drugs.
Sober Holiday Activities People in Recovery Can Enjoy
Attend a Peer Support Meeting
If you’re stressed or tempted during the holidays, reach out to your sober support system. Attend a meeting or call a friend who will understand what you’re going through. Talking about how you’re feeling can be very helpful and may prevent you from relapsing.
Attend Sober Holiday Events
Many cities have sober events during the holidays that can be fun! Theater productions, art galleries, and dance performances are just a few examples. This is an excellent opportunity to get out of the house and explore new things while surrounded by people who are also living sober lifestyles.
Get Involved in Volunteering
The holidays can be challenging for many people who are alone or struggling financially. Spending time helping others is a great way to stay focused on what’s important and feel good about yourself and your sobriety. Contact your local soup kitchen, food bank, or animal shelter to see how you can help this holiday season.
Make Your Own Traditions
If spending the holidays sober is new to you, it can be helpful to create some traditions of your own to make it feel more special. Maybe you buy yourself a small gift or take yourself out to dinner at your favorite restaurant. Just do whatever feels right for you! The most important thing is that you stay true to your sobriety and don’t put yourself in any situations that could jeopardize your recovery.
Spend Time with Supportive Loved Ones
This is a time to be around people who make you feel good about yourself and your sobriety. Family members or friends who do not support your sobriety may not be the best people to be with as you celebrate the holidays. Find others in recovery or loved ones who understand what you are going through and can provide emotional support.
Learn More About Addiction Treatment at The Right Step Houston
The holidays don’t have to be a trigger for relapse just because you are in recovery. There are plenty of sober holiday activities that you can enjoy if you plan ahead and surround yourself with supportive people. If you’re looking for professional addiction treatment and aftercare services to help with your sober holidays, contact the compassionate staff of The Right Step Houston at 1.844.768.0169.