Holiday Sobriety Survival Guide
Before anything else, preparation is the key to success. | Alexander Graham Bell
The holidays are special. It’s good to be with family, give gifts, and take some time to be thankful and hopeful.
But ironically, the holiday season also seems to increase stress, heighten social pressure, emphasize current difficulties, and highlight the loss of a loved one.
And all of those things can be an impetus to use drugs or alcohol.
There might be tinsel, there might be relatives, and chances are there might be other people drinking around you. There might be squabbles, problems, and crises that drive you to the brink of what you think you can handle. And having “Christmas spirit” might not be enough to help you stay away from substance abuse.
We understand. That’s why we’ve created a brief holiday sobriety survival guide for you, because we know that you really do want to keep your promises to yourself and the people you love—and that having a clean Christmas might be the best gift you get this year.
Survival Guide Tip #1 – If you start getting anxious or upset, remember the tools you learned in treatment to resolve your emotions. What would your counselor say? What did he or she teach you to say to, and about, yourself? Would practicing your DBT skills, or a physical activity like exercise, help you clear your thoughts or re-center yourself?
Tip #2 – If you start craving alcohol or drugs, it’s time to call someone. Call a sponsor, a friend, a neighbor or someone outside your circumstances who can talk you through how you’re feeling. We are always available to talk with you, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Don’t be alone. Your community is a lifeline that can keep your sobriety intact.
Tip #3 – It never hurts to write down the things you’re grateful for and remember all the reasons why you’re sober. Take a break from the festivities and have some quiet time to collect your thoughts. Getting some perspective will keep you from making rash decisions in the moment.
Tip #4 – Take it one day at a time, even one hour at a time. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself for big commitments, which can be discouraging and intimidating. Say, “This hour, I’m going to stay sober.” Then when the next hour comes, do it then, too. And the next. You’ll be surprised how far you get.
Tip #5 – If you do relapse, don’t lose hope. Take immediate action by contacting us, your treatment center, your counselor, or other people who can help you get back on track. It’s a bump in the road, not the end of your journey.
Give yourself the gift of sobriety this year. If you feel pressured or vulnerable to relapse, don’t be ashamed to reach out for help. Together we can do much more than we can apart. You’re not alone in this fight, and there are people who understand what you’re going through.
What are you looking forward to during the holidays this year? How do you plan to stay positive? Comment here or tell us on Facebook!