Thanksgiving is a merry holiday meant for everyone to enjoy. It’s a time of the year when drinks and buffets are waiting on the table. Generally, it is a holiday most people can’t wait to celebrate. However, some people might be apprehensive about celebrating Thanksgiving for fear of relapsing. This Thanksgiving, there are sober ways for you to make the most out of this special time of year. To learn more, reach out to The Willows at Red Oak today at 855.773.0614.
1. Anticipate and Plan Ahead
What should you do before, during, and after the event? Planning what to do and say beforehand is crucial to prevent feeling panicky or anxious when things go south. When this happens, this might trigger you to drink.
For instance, try to loosen up and surround yourself in a stress-free environment before Thanksgiving. Go on a jog, run outside, or meditate with nature. The key is to make yourself feel good, so you won’t feel compulsive urges to drink or use during Thanksgiving.
During Thanksgiving, there’s a chance that people will ask about your sobriety or invite you to drink. Prepare a list of answers beforehand and maintain your patience. Anticipate a few questions and make sure you’re comfortable with your response.
2. Establish a New Tradition
Thanksgiving isn’t always limited to friends and family gatherings. It’s a holiday to show love and kindness to others. So, if you want to celebrate it sober with a bit of a twist, then why not? You could volunteer your time for others. If you prefer a stay-at-home celebration, decide on a silly game with your loved ones and friends.
This practice is especially crucial if your past Thanksgiving traditions have always involved alcohol. It can create a good change in your annual practices and help you in applying relapse prevention. A new Thanksgiving tradition can be any tradition as long as you’re making memories with the people you love.
3. Bring Your Own Drink
Even if you inform the host you wish to celebrate Thanksgiving sober, it does not guarantee that people will not invite you to drink with them. Bringing a good sober drink to fill your cup with can save you from stressful questions. Besides, it won’t feel different or anxious by not having a drink to hold.
Many people seem to worry about relapsing during the Thanksgiving holidays because of social pressure. So, try bringing something that looks like a mixed drink but is still healthy. This action can allow you to avoid questions and prevent stress and anxiety from activating an urge to drink.
4. Ask for Support
When it feels hard to resist, take a breath outside and call a friend. Better yet, ask that friend if they can go with you. Alcohol addiction triggers might feel less frustrating when you have someone sober by your side. If they can’t go with you, inform them beforehand of an emergency call in case you don’t feel strong enough to stay sober.
Celebrate Thanksgiving Sober
You always have a choice whether to go or not. If you choose not to, it’s all right. Your sobriety is still the priority, no matter the event or holiday. Whichever decision you decide to go with, there’s still a way to finish the day sober. We can help guide you through services that include:
- Relapse prevention program
- 12-step rehab treatment
- Aftercare treatment program
- Recreational therapy program
- Life coping skills
The Willows at Red Oak Recovery Support Sobriety
Recovery always comes with challenges. Feeling anxious during Thanksgiving is part of recovery. Getting through the post-recovery phase is the hard part of sobriety since you’re still adjusting. We can guide you throughout the process of lasting recovery and achieving a sober Thanksgiving. Contact the Willows at Red Oak Recovery at 855.773.0614 to book your appointment today!
