Getting through the holidays can be difficult–and they happen over and over again. . .Christmas, New Years, Fourth of July, etc. What can you do to stay sober? How can you avoid substance abuse and still enjoy the holiday? Below are a collection of blog posts and articles designed to help you survive (and enjoy!) the holidays while in recovery.
Question: How do I refuse a Christmas invitation without offending someone? How do I tell people I can’t drink? This is one of the most commonly asked questions during the holiday season. And no wonder: refusing Christmas invitations never occurs without a layer of awkardness. Ask for advice. The first thing to do is to ask … Read More
So you have lots of Christmas parties you’re supposed to attend, like your work Christmas party, and you’re dreading them because you’re in recovery, attempting to live a life of sobriety. How are you going to be able to stay sober at a Christmas party? Question: Should you avoid or skip your employee Christmas party … Read More
Staying sober during the holidays isn’t easy, probably because you’re surrounded by friends and family, creating emotionally charged and stressful situations. Some of the sticky situations you might encounter this season might may include Family conflict. Strained relationships may complicate holiday planning—or leave you with little to plan for. Past Guilt. Memories of what happened during past … Read More
It’s finally here―the best time of the year―but sometimes the hardest time of the year for those of us still in our disease of addiction or recovery. This anonymous poem helps us all to remember exactly what Christmas is. Every time a hand reaches out To help another . . . that is Christmas Every … Read More
Ah, another holiday. Others may be eagerly anticipating the celebration, but you might be a bit nervous as you think about all the beer and alcohol that will be served. How do you stay sober during yet another holiday? Here are four practical tips that may help you stay sober on the Fourth. 1. Hang … Read More
We’ve all been there trying desperately hard to encourage our loved one—parent, friend, father, mother, sister, brother—to remain sober and enjoy their life of recovery. But it isn’t aways easy, especially when holidays come around. It’s so easy to assume that just because others enjoy alcohol on the holidays, our loved should be “able to … Read More
It’s here. A difficult time of the year—New Year’s Eve—for recovering addicts and their loved ones. Between the late night and non-stop partying, there is probably no night more difficult for recovering addicts than December 31st. How can you help your loved ones, recovering from their addiction, survive their first New Year’s Eve? Make Love … Read More
Holiday parties without liquid spirits may still seem to be a dreary prospect to new A.A’s. But many of us have enjoyed the happiest holidays of our lives sober–an idea we could never have dreamed of, wanted, or believed possible when drinking. Here are some tips for having an all-around ball without a drop of … Read More
We recently asked some of our friends on our Facebook page what tips they had for navigating the holiday season as a newly sober person. Thanks for all the responses! “Bring your OWN car to any gathering , so if things get uncomfortable you can leave.” – Tom Attend Alkathons and to surround yourself with sober people and your sponsor. –Nick … Read More
