For anyone recovering or dealing with addiction, the holidays are a trying time. It’s common for people to get together during the holidays with family and friends. Unfortunately, it’s also common for these and other social gatherings to feature alcohol. If you’re in recovery from addiction, how do you stay sober for the holidays under these conditions?
At The Willows at Red Oak Recovery®, we are committed to providing addiction treatment for our clients year-round. We provide strategies for staying sober during the holidays that you can rely on when you encounter triggers to use. At our women’s alcohol addiction treatment program, we offer holistic and evidence-based treatment options. To learn more about our services, please call The Willows at Red Oak Recovery® today at 855.773.0614 or use our convenient online form.
Staying Sober for the Holidays Requires a Little Help from Friends
You can turn any season into a sober season if you ask for a little help from your friends. There are two major ways that your friends can help you. First, you can ask one of your sober friends to stay on call. Being able to turn to a friend when you experience alcohol cravings is very important.
The trick is to find the right friend for the job. Some people count on the friends they make during rehab. Alumni aftercare programs are a great way for you to make friends with people who can provide support when you need it. In fact, these programs are excellent for finding a sponsor to help you stay sober this season.
Second, you can ask friends to accompany you to your holiday gatherings. Bringing a friend, even to a family gathering, isn’t out of the ordinary. With the support that you lend each other, you can beat the urge to use. Afterward, you can reward yourselves by grabbing lunch, dinner, or dessert.
Be Smart About the Parties You Attend
You can’t completely put your goal to stay sober this holiday season on everyone else. You have to take responsibility for your actions. In some cases, this requires you to make the right choices when choosing which parties to attend. While you might feel obligated to attend family gatherings, you should avoid certain ones.
The chances are that you know which of your friends will have holiday parties and serve alcohol. If you have good friends who love to drink and party, it’s best to avoid going with them. You may even need to avoid them during holiday gatherings. Certain people, including family members, can be triggers that cause a relapse. Oftentimes, you have to avoid them when you feel weak.
Also, you don’t have to attend every party this holiday season. If you don’t think that you have the willpower to say no, check yourself into a long-term rehab program. It can ensure that you spend the holidays with like-minded people who also want to stay sober. The Willows at Red Oak Recovery® offers a place for women to stay sober during the holidays.
If you choose not to enter rehab, remember to stay active. The urge to drink is greatest during downtime. Taking up a hobby this holiday season can reduce your risk of relapse. For instance, you can take part in activities, such as:
- Serving at a local homeless shelter or soup kitchen
- Taking part in a holiday-themed exercise class
- Hosting a movie night or game night
- Going to local holiday festivities
- Baking or cooking for friends and family members
These are only a few activities that can keep your mind and body busy without turning to drugs or alcohol. If you need additional suggestions, we recommend reaching out to The Willows at Red Oak Recovery®.
The Willows at Red Oak Recovery® Can Help You Enjoy a Sober Holiday
The holidays are the perfect time for you to enjoy quality time with your friends and family. However, it’s a trying time for anyone who struggles with addiction. Fortunately, using these tips can help you prevent relapse. If you find yourself needing more help, The Willows at Red Oak Recovery® offers some of the best relapse prevention NC has to offer for women.
Beyond relapse prevention NC services, we offer a number of other programs. Our goal is to ensure that you not only overcome addiction but also avoid relapse afterward. Some of the programs that we offer include:
- 12-step rehab
- Outpatient and PHP treatment
- Individual and group counseling
- Dual diagnosis treatment program
- Aftercare treatment program
Don’t try to get through a sober season alone. Get the help that you need to stay sober while still having a good time this holiday season. Reach out to The Willows at Red Oak Recovery® at 855.773.0614 to learn more about how we can help you.
