Holiday parties are full of cheer, merriment and, more often than not, alcohol. But with planning and dedication, staying sober is possible during this time.
The holidays can be a difficult time to get sober. Alcohol frequently accompanies — and even fuels — the merriment at family gatherings, work parties, and get-togethers with friends. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s all line up within a month and a half of each other, making for a party-heavy time of year.
For those who struggle with a substance or alcohol use disorder, the holidays tend to be an especially difficult season each year.It’s estimated that:
- The average American will attend three times more social functions and double the amount of alcohol they drink during the period between Thanksgiving and New Years.
- 69% report being more social during this time of year.
- 36% say that drinking actually interferes with their holiday spirit through hangovers and lost productivity.
Those who are either in recovery or who are trying to get sober can feel like they are up against the odds during the holiday season. It can seem like it’s nearly impossible to avoid alcohol with the number of parties and the social pressure to drink.
Does that mean the holiday season is the most challenging time to get sober? Is it even possible to get sober during this time of year?Yes!If you’re trying to abstain from alcohol this holiday season, it is possible to get and stay sober during the holidays — but it takes planning and staying committed to your goals.
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Make Sure You Are Ready
If you want to get sober during the holiday season, it’s important to make sure that you are ready. Getting sober is not easy and doing so during such an alcohol-heavy time of year can be challenging. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible, especially if you know you’re ready.
When you make the decision to cut alcohol out of your life, you should not take it lightly. You’ve likely experienced some negative consequences that have led to your decision to get sober. Try to keep these in mind when the thought of having a drink comes up.
Develop a Plan to Stay Sober
Coming up with a plan to stay sober can help you to avoid picking up a drink during this challenging month.There are a few resources and strategies you can incorporate into your plan for staying sober:
Avoid Risky Situations
Get Involved in Meaningful Activities
Find a Healthy Way to Suppress Urges
Practice Self-care
Exercise and Eat Well
Lean on Family and Friends for Support
Tap into a Peer Support Network
Seek treatment at an intensive outpatient program or residential program.
Don’t Give Up on Yourself If You Slip
It’s important to remind yourself as you go through the process of getting sober and staying sober: it is never an easy thing to do. If you slip up, your journey isn’t over. Re-apply yourself to your original dedication, plug yourself back into your sober network and start again.
Getting sober is a challenging process, regardless of the time of year. Once you are addicted or dependent upon drugs or alcohol, especially for a long period of time, learning to live without them takes time and commitment. Some people who are not familiar with addiction insisting that long-term recovery is simply a matter of willpower — but that’s simply not true.
Anyone who has been or is actively addicted to drugs or alcohol knows that addiction and dependence are powerful mental and physical challenges that usually require outside assistance. This is why seeking out professional treatment and finding a sober network is essential.
Staying sober during the holiday season is challenging, but it’s not impossible. A good place to start if you are committed is to ask for the support you need during this time of year. Reach out to The Recovery Village to find out which center is nearest you and if an outpatient program could suit your needs. Don’t struggle alone — help is closer than you think. Call today to get started.
