Is staying sober during holidays your priority this year? The holidays are meant to be a time of joy and thankfulness. You may be thankful this year that you’re sober and ready to take in the experience in a positive and uplifting manner. For men and women in recovery, the holidays themselves can be a trigger for relapse risk. That’s why it is essential to have a few tips and strategies lined up to help you avoid the worst outcome. Our team at Crestview Recovery can offer that support for you.
Strategies for Staying Sober
Don’t overthink the holidays. While there may be a few days where you have to spend time with family and friends or engage in activities that often involved alcohol use, there are tools you can use to help you. Make this year different using these tips for staying sober during holidays.
Do Something Different
If your alcohol addiction rehab is just getting started, it may be best to remove a lot of the frustration and risks from the holidays. You can choose to simply not engage in activities that put you at risk. Don’t go to the family party. Don’t feel pressured into telling your story or sharing anything about yourself. You can also do something new or different – go away for the weekend out of town, for example. The key here is never to feel you have to do what you’ve always done if that is too big of a risk for you.
Invest in Your Own Party
This year, you make the rules. Instead of heading over to your cousin’s house where you know there will be drugs or alcohol, host something at your own home. Make sure everyone knows it’s a sober event. If they don’t come, that’s okay. If they do, you know they are in your corner backing you every step of the way.
Take Care Of Yourself
This is also a good time to start focusing on your health and your overall mental wellbeing. The holidays in themselves can be stressful due to the financial strain, memories, or experiences you’ve had. Do what you can to reduce some of that stress.
- Eat healthy and ensure you’re sticking with a nutrient-rich meal plan.
- Get in some exercise. That’s a good way to burn off the stress hormones.
- Meet with friends to do something fun that’s not holiday-related such as a hike or catch a movie.
- Invest in your recovery meetings. Be there to support others and get the support you need, too.
- Keep your mental health needs meet, too, simply by focusing on your wellbeing.
When you take care of yourself, you are empowered to make better decisions. What steps can you take to ensure you’re not putting yourself at risk right now?
Invest in Help
Staying sober during holidays is a challenge even for those with years under their belt. When you see yourself becoming more at risk or out of line, recognize it is time to get a bit more professional help. At Crestview Recovery, our team is always here to support you as you do just that. When you need help with any relapse, reach out to us to learn more about what we can do. We offer a range of programs to support you:
- Outpatient drug rehab center
- Rehab aftercare programs
- Telehealth intensive outpatient treatment program
- Men’s drug rehab program
- Women’s alcohol rehab program
Find Treatment
Staying sober during holidays can be hard for anyone. If you’re facing the risks of relapse right now and need help, contact our team at Crestview Recovery for fast support. Our team is here to support you through any difficult period with comprehensive help and compassionate counselors. Call 866.262.0531 to learn more.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
