To survive the holidays sober, have a plan and stay connected

Michael Leach
·2 min read

The onslaught of December holiday parties, work functions and family gatherings is in full swing.

The holiday season is a joyous and wonderful time of year. Yet, it can also be a challenging time of year for anyone wanting to be sober, someone recovering from addiction and those struggling with a substance use disorder.

The season can bring up many emotions, good and bad. Most Christmas parties are flowing with alcohol, and stress levels can run high, making it hard to maintain sobriety.

Fortunately, there are practical ways to remain in recovery and sober. Millions of people can maintain sobriety and enjoy a fantastic holiday season every year.

The three best ways to help stay focused on sobriety are always having a plan, practicing self-care, and having help or a support system.

An effective holiday sobriety plan includes the following:

  • Knowing what to do if you feel uncomfortable or experience relapse triggers;

  • Knowing what these triggers are and how to cope with them;

  • Knowing how to turn down a drug or what to say when a family member does not take no for an answer;

  • Bringing non-alcoholic drinks or holiday mocktails;

  • Having transportation and an exit plan arranged.

“Holiday mocktails are a popular option because it eliminates much of the risk for drinking and driving and many other problems created by alcohol,” said Marcel Gemme of Addicted.org. “More and more people choose non-alcoholic options because of an increasing awareness of how alcohol affects each person.”

Maintain a high level of self-care. The acronym H.A.L.T. (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired) is an excellent tool to utilize. Stay well-fed with healthy food and avoid overindulging in holiday sweets. Do not ignore negative emotions. While it is impossible to predict being angry, it is not impossible to effectively manage this feeling.

Stay connected with other people and avoid being alone. Loneliness contributes to anger, anxiety and depression. More importantly, ensure you get adequate sleep. No human being can function on three to four hours of sleep every night.

Maintaining basic rudiments such as sleep, good food, and exercise makes a world of difference and significantly reduces stress.

Finally, have a support system in place, whether this is a family member, friend, 12-step meeting or another sober individual. It is essential to have options when you need help. The holidays can be challenging.

Yet, when you have help, it makes it much easier to remain focused on all the good and joy that comes from Christmas and New Year’s. Enjoy the holidays and create new traditions and beautiful memories.

Michael Leach has spent most of his career as a healthcare professional specializing in Substance Use Disorder and addiction recovery. He is a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, and contributor to the healthcare website Recovery Begins.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: How to survive the holidays sober, avoid alcohol and substance use