Your Holiday Sobriety Survival Guide

The holidays are always a time to celebrate. From office parties to family get-togethers, this time of the year is often filled to the brim with laugher, fun, and a fair amount of stress. Though it can be tempting to indulge in a little “fun”, it’s important to keep in mind your goals and happiness when attempting to maintain a happy and sober lifestyle during the holiday season. In this entry, we will discuss some tips to tricks to help you through.

1 – Consider hosting your own party for friends and family members. If the temptation of social drinking poses an issue, this can be a wonderful way to control the situation. Spend the money that would otherwise go towards alcoholic beverages on fancier food items, decorations, and entertainment. Not only will you likely save a good deal of cash, but avoid the mess associated with a large-scale alcohol-based get-together. And heck… you’ll probably end up creating some new and magical memories you may have forgotten otherwise!

2 – If you do decide to attend a holiday party, volunteer yourself to act as a designated driver. The more people you have counting on you to get them home safely, the more likely you will be to remain responsible.

3 – Remind yourself of how much better you will feel after the party if you avoid alcohol. When you are tempted to indulge in a drink, try remembering how far you’ve come with your sobriety, and how sick you have felt after previous binges. Making a point to recall these instances may be enough to trick yourself into foregoing the bottle.

4 – Ask your family and friends for their support. Utilizing a buddy system can help keep you on track in case your commitment to sobriety begins to wane. Explain your desire to remain sober, and ask them to help you when temptation is lurking.

5 – Never go out on an empty stomach. If you are attending a holiday function, it’s a good idea to head out with a full belly. The more food you have in your system when you arrive, the less you will be tempted to indulge. A healthy dose of protein will be enough to fill your belly, while providing you with energy to socialize during the event.

6 – Implement your New Years resolution early. Most of us make resolutions to better ourselves following the holiday havoc, without regard to the damage we are doing along the way. Remember that New Years is just another day. By making an early commitment to yourself to maintain sobriety throughout November and December, you will be more likely to abide.

Need Help?

If you or someone you know is having difficulty maintaining their sobriety, our Above It All drug rehab counselors are available to help! Give us a call today, and let us help you back on track towards the merry, happy, and healthy holiday season you deserve.

Tips for Sober Living in CA For Valentine’s Day!

California alcohol rehabilitation centers know that Valentine’s Day can be a hard time to not indulge in  wine with your honey,  and that it can be lonely  for those without a special someone. So here are some ideas that can help in finding (and planning!) a sober holiday that is also fun.

For Couples:

Looking for something fun to do with your special someone?  Why not take the day off and plan a romantic picnic in the park, or a boat ride for 2?  Planning time in the sunshine is a beautiful way to have fun and be less conventional about your love.  Take an Active role in your life together and get out to do something. If you can’t afford the time off, or are not in the mood for outdoor time, spend some time indoors cuddling and getting to know each other better.

For Singles:

It’s not a bad thing to be single, make Valentine’s day a day to get to know yourself better, to treat yourself kindly. Make it a spa day, a get out and enjoy yourself because you are you day, or even a lazy day. Be kind to yourself. Or if you want more human contact, plan an outing with your single friends to enjoy yourselves and love being who you all are as independent people who love each other in the bonds of friendship. Maybe spend some time with family; they are a great support for addicts. Valentine’s Day is for all types of love, not just romantic.

If these suggestions aren’t quite your cup of tea, just remember that there is love for you in this world so don’t tempt yourself with situations that aren’t healthy for you. As many addiction counselors will say there are 3 important things to improve mood and your way of life: sunshine, exercise, and nature. So get out there and treat yourself right on Valentine’s Day.

 

Tips for a Sober Halloween from a Los Angeles Rehab Center

California rehab centers know that one of the scariest things about Halloween is the number of drunk or drugged drivers hitting the roads this night. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics show that Halloween is one of the most dangerous nights of the year for alcohol and drug-related traffic deaths. About 44 percent of all traffic deaths on Halloween occur are the direct result of intoxicated driver getting behind the wheel. Compared to other holiday periods, Halloween night has one of the highest proportions of substance-related traffic deaths, ahead of both Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Substance abuse takes lives the entire year through, but Halloween is an especially dangerous day. For some, this Halloween may be a wake-up call, a time to seek an affordable rehab center, while others who have already found peace and joy in sobriety may find temptation in this holiday. Here are some tips to help you stay sober during the Halloween festivities:

1. If you’re not sure there will be non-alcoholic beverages available to you during the celebrations,  bring your own.

2. Avoid areas in which alcoholic drinks are being served, or people are using.

3. Stay busy! Chat, dance, keep moving. Don’t think about the fact you’re not using or drinking.

4. Be sure to eat before leaving the house, so that you’re not hungry.

5. If you feel the temptation to use drugs or alcohol is becoming too much, just make a speedy exit.

6. Chances are, there’s at least one other person at the party who is also sober. Find them and stick together!

8. Why not spend Halloween at a 12-Step meeting? Many groups plan special events for this night.

9. Keep your sponsor’s number handy, and don’t hesitate to use it.

Many people who need alcohol drug rehab, have not yet found their way into drug addiction rehab treatment. Although we empathize with them, and hope they find the help they need, that shouldn’t stop us from enjoying this festive time of year. Think of Halloweens past, spent in a drug or alcohol-induced haze; the blackouts and depression and sadness. This year, follow our tips to celebrate sober and enjoy all that the holiday has to offer.