Five Ways to Stay Sober Through the Holiday Season

The holidays are a time of fun and family, and they usually focus on delicious food and plentiful drinks – which isn't helpful for those recovering from alcohol or drug addiction. And the stress of the holidays isn't easy for those going through recovery from substance abuse.

Nobody wants to miss out on family fun and holiday gatherings, especially when sober—but what can they do? At the Victory Treatment Program in Knoxville, Tennessee, Stacey Maltman, FNP-BC, provides tips and tricks for staying sober any time of year.

Stacey is an experienced and compassionate addiction and recovery specialist, offering support during the most challenging times of the year during outpatient recovery from drugs and alcohol.

Tips to stay sober during the holidays

Food and alcohol are usually flowing during the busy holiday season, and it's hard to stay on track if you're battling drug or alcohol addiction. However, it's not impossible – there are some tips and tricks to keep you sober through the next few months and into the New Year.

Recovery should be the main priority, which sometimes means saying no to events or gatherings with too much temptation. Be honest with yourself and your family with holiday expectations and follow the following five tips for sobriety:

1. Know your triggers

The holidays may not always have fond memories, especially when facing people who are part of your past. You may run into people you used to get high with or drinking buddies from past days. These trigger the potential for relapse if you're not prepared.

For holiday success, know what triggers you into a potential relapse, and walk away if necessary. Talk to trusted friends and family if you're feeling the pressure of sobriety. Take care of yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally to avoid relapse over the holiday season.

2. Keep yourself busy

An idle mind is dangerous, especially when it comes to relapsing back into drugs and alcohol. When you're not busy, your mind wanders and begins to think about old memories and how life used to be – which could trigger falling back into old habits.

Staying busy over the holidays is essential to maintain your sobriety. Offer to help your family decorate, organize fun family games, or go outside and enjoy the weather with sledding or ice skating.

3. Start the season with a plan

It's vital to start every single day with a plan to maintain sobriety, especially during the holidays. Preparing for potential triggering situations and knowing how to respond is crucial to preventing a relapse during the holidays.

Be prepared for every situation that could come your way, including those that make you want to use it again or have a drink. Simply saying "no thank you" should be enough when someone offers you a drink, but be prepared for pushy friends and family who don't know you're sober.

4. Manage holiday stress

Stress is bountiful during the holidays, and it is triggered when you're living a sober lifestyle. The stress may revolve around preparing for a family gathering or tension with loved ones – but you don't want to turn to drugs and alcohol to cope.

Instead, find other ways of managing stress during the festivities. You can channel stress through reading, coffee dates with friends, or getting your sweat on in the gym.

5. Keep up with meetings

The upcoming season is busy, but keeping up with meetings and support groups is crucial. Staying sober throughout the holidays is difficult, which is more reason to make your meetings at least weekly and reach out to friends or sponsors to stay on track.

What if I feel like I may slip up?

It can be challenging to tackle the holidays if you're newly sober, but it's also hard for anyone who has battled addiction. The holidays are difficult for many, but staying sober during the most tempting season is crucial to your health.

If you're struggling during the holidays, don't forget why you became sober. Remember, you have a vast support network through Stacey, AA or NA meetings, and anyone in your support group.

You can also talk to your family and friends about your journey and ask them to help you with sobriety during difficult times like the holidays. You can also call your sponsor whenever you feel weak to stay on track during recovery.

Call the Victory Treatment Program today to schedule an appointment to discuss staying sober over the holidays, or visit our website to learn about addiction recovery.