D DreamLife RECOVERY STEPS TO STAY SOBER DURING THE HOLIDAYS The holidays are, usually, a time to rejoice. Many holidays, especially Christmas, feature food, festivities, and drinking. But just because that's the way things have always been, doesn't mean they can't change. Achieving sobriety is a long journey, so the holiday season is the perfect opportunity to celebrate your hard work rather than throwing it away with some casual Christmas drinking. There are steps you can take to ensure that you get through the holidays with your sobriety intact, without sacrificing any of the fun. By surrounding yourself with a dedicated support system and being prepared for every event you head into, you'll finally have time to really enjoy the holiday season and all it entails. Ways to Avoid Holiday Drinking It's not just the celebratory nature of the holiday season that drives people to binge drink. It's also the overall stress of the holiday; the anxiety of being around family, the loneliness of not having a family to be surrounded by, and much more. It's a time that you are around friends and family that you haven't seen in a while which may very well stir up negative memories and intensified emotions. However, there are absolutely ways to avoid the pitfalls of holiday drinking. If you have a support system, you're going to want to utilize them. It will really help to surround yourself with others who are also sober. Have them accompany you to events, or if that's not possible, have them on speed dial in case you need help removing yourself from any uncomfortable situations. If you trust the host of said gathering enough, you can give them a heads up that you may need to leave quickly and quietly if you are no longer comfortable, and that they shouldn't take offense. If they care about you, they will respect that and help you in any way they can. While the holiday parties may be fun, they can be a less than ideal situation for you, no matter how long you've been sober. Try participating in activities with friends and family that don't necessarily involve drinking, such as decorating, baking desserts, or just going for a walk around the neighborhood and taking in the scenery. There are plenty of fun activities that aren't associated with drinking Holidays Here Are Some Tips on How to Stay Sober: - Plan Ahead - Be sure to take your own vehicle to holiday functions so that you can leave as soon as you are ready to. A good rule of thumb is to arrive early and leave early, and bring a sober friend with you for support if possible. .Know Your Limits and Avoid Triggers - If you have certain family members or friends that automatically cause you stress, be sure to limit your time around them. You don't have to say yes to everything, so only agree to do what you're comfortable with, for as long as you want to. Prepare Your Props -As soon as you get to an event, grab a nonalcoholic beverage and make sure to have one in your hand as long as you're there. This will prevent people from handing you drinks or getting you to try something new. And realistically, people don't typically take notice of what's in your cup. Create New Traditions - Holiday drinking doesn't have to be a tradition. Take time to sit and reflect on everything you have to be grateful for. Start a new tradition of helping those that are closest to you, as well as strangers. Whether this involves baking cookies for your friends, volunteering at a soup kitchen, or helping with a support group, by taking the focus off of yourself, you will get to feel the gratitude of giving back to those around you. CALL OUR ADMISSIONS TEAM AT 855-912-6873 DreamLife Recovery DreamLifePA in Recovery PA DreamLife Recovery DreamLifePA D DreamLife RECOVERY STEPS TO STAY SOBER DURING THE HOLIDAYS The holidays are , usually , a time to rejoice . Many holidays , especially Christmas , feature food , festivities , and drinking . But just because that's the way things have always been , doesn't mean they can't change . Achieving sobriety is a long journey , so the holiday season is the perfect opportunity to celebrate your hard work rather than throwing it away with some casual Christmas drinking . There are steps you can take to ensure that you get through the holidays with your sobriety intact , without sacrificing any of the fun . By surrounding yourself with a dedicated support system and being prepared for every event you head into , you'll finally have time to really enjoy the holiday season and all it entails . Ways to Avoid Holiday Drinking It's not just the celebratory nature of the holiday season that drives people to binge drink . It's also the overall stress of the holiday ; the anxiety of being around family , the loneliness of not having a family to be surrounded by , and much more . It's a time that you are around friends and family that you haven't seen in a while which may very well stir up negative memories and intensified emotions . However , there are absolutely ways to avoid the pitfalls of holiday drinking . If you have a support system , you're going to want to utilize them . It will really help to surround yourself with others who are also sober . Have them accompany you to events , or if that's not possible , have them on speed dial in case you need help removing yourself from any uncomfortable situations . If you trust the host of said gathering enough , you can give them a heads up that you may need to leave quickly and quietly if you are no longer comfortable , and that they shouldn't take offense . If they care about you , they will respect that and help you in any way they can . While the holiday parties may be fun , they can be a less than ideal situation for you , no matter how long you've been sober . Try participating in activities with friends and family that don't necessarily involve drinking , such as decorating , baking desserts , or just going for a walk around the neighborhood and taking in the scenery . There are plenty of fun activities that aren't associated with drinking Holidays Here Are Some Tips on How to Stay Sober : - Plan Ahead - Be sure to take your own vehicle to holiday functions so that you can leave as soon as you are ready to . A good rule of thumb is to arrive early and leave early , and bring a sober friend with you for support if possible . .Know Your Limits and Avoid Triggers - If you have certain family members or friends that automatically cause you stress , be sure to limit your time around them . You don't have to say yes to everything , so only agree to do what you're comfortable with , for as long as you want to . Prepare Your Props -As soon as you get to an event , grab a nonalcoholic beverage and make sure to have one in your hand as long as you're there . This will prevent people from handing you drinks or getting you to try something new . And realistically , people don't typically take notice of what's in your cup . Create New Traditions - Holiday drinking doesn't have to be a tradition . Take time to sit and reflect on everything you have to be grateful for . Start a new tradition of helping those that are closest to you , as well as strangers . Whether this involves baking cookies for your friends , volunteering at a soup kitchen , or helping with a support group , by taking the focus off of yourself , you will get to feel the gratitude of giving back to those around you . CALL OUR ADMISSIONS TEAM AT 855-912-6873 DreamLife Recovery DreamLifePA in Recovery PA DreamLife Recovery DreamLifePA