Long-Term Recovery: 12 Tips for a Safe, Sane and Sober Holiday

The holiday season is either one of the best or worst times of year. Holidays can be dangerous times for people in recovery. Like them or not, we will see family and friends we don’t see often. We may be invited to parties where alcohol and other drugs are in abundance. We may even be alone. All of these can lead steer us towards depression, anxiety and relapse. Here are 12 Steps for making it through the holiday season safe, sane and sober:

1.      Recovery Support Meetings – Just because it is the holidays does not mean you can miss meetings. Addiction doesn't take a day off, neither should your recovery. This is a great time to attend more meetings than normal. Either you or a newcomer may be having that first sober holiday and need to hear the strength, experience and hope shared in a meeting!

2.      Volunteer – Helping those less fortunate reminds us of all we have gained in recovery. We go from taking resources to being one!

3.      Sober Support – Keep in contact with your sponsor and accountability partners. Call them daily, even if everything is going great. You never know when you might need them.

4.      Prepare for Questions – “Why aren't you drinking?” and “Why did you get clean?” may be asked. Practice what you are going to say before hand, and talk about your recovery. Touch on the past and focus on the positive changes you have made. 

5.      Gratitude List –A list of things you have to be grateful for is a powerful reminder of why you are clean and sober.

6.      Sleep – Make sure you get adequate sleep. Don’t be afraid to take a nap. The holidays can be physically draining.

7.      Meditation – Make time each day for prayer, meditation and relaxation. The holidays can be emotionally draining, as well.

8.      Holiday Parties – Make sure to take a strong sober support with you. Have an exit plan already mapped out just in case. When in doubt, skip it. Better safe than sorry.

9.      Powerless – Remember there are people, places and things you encounter you cannot control. However, you do have complete control over how you deal with them. Powerless does not mean helpless,  it just allows us to maintain serenity and make better choices.

10.   Exercise – Exercise helps relieve stress, releases “happy” neurotransmitters, gives time for meditation and works off some of those extra holiday calories.

11.   Moderation – DO NOT OVER DO IT!! This means not going to more parties and gatherings than you are able to. It also means not overindulging in food, caffeine, sugar or nicotine.

12.   Holiday Rituals – Create a fun holiday tradition: look at Christmas lights, go see a movie, volunteer at a shelter, adopt a family.

Most important of all, enjoy yourself. Just because you are in recovery doesn't mean you can’t have fun. Now that you can remember the night before, make memories. Proper planning will allow you to have the amazing holidays you deserve!