People often remember how they started the new year. Over-the-top parties, fancy clothes, and lots of alcohol are often on the agenda for the night’s festivities. However, those in recovery must find new ways to start the year with a bang while staying sober. At Red Oak Recovery®, our clients learn the skills they need to keep it together for a sober New Year’s Eve. For some ideas to get through this festive night with a fun, alcohol-free celebration, contact Red Oak Recovery® today at 866.457.7590.
Host Your Own New Year’s Theme Party
There’s one way to ensure that your New Year’s Eve plans do not include drugs or alcohol. Make your own plans and invite over trusted guests for a dry but fun-packed evening. There are many faux champagnes and non-alcoholic mocktails you can try out and serve to guests. For example, you can try sparkling apple cider as a substitute for champagne that won’t leave you with a hangover.
Don’t feel like you have to overcompensate for not serving alcohol on New Year’s Eve. Put plans in place to give people things to do. Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
- Pull out board games and have a station where people can challenge one another to quick games of checkers or other fun games.
- Rent a karaoke machine and invite people to show up in costume to perform songs from their favorite artists.
- Be clear about what you expect of guests on your invitations. This could include bringing dishes, games, and leaving the alcohol at home.
- Poll your friends to find out what exciting theme to choose for a costume party. You can ask everyone to contribute to the playlist and dress up in tune with their favorite decade.
Attend a Sober New Year’s Eve Event
An Alco-thon is a party held by organizations like Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous. You can support others in recovery and have a stress-free evening to ring in the new year. Some events run from 12 to 24 hours to provide a safe haven for those who want to avoid the temptation to drink or do drugs.
Some Alco-thons include helpful meetings for recovering addicts and alcoholics. If you want to refrain from reverting to old habits, look into these events in your neighborhood. Red Oak Recovery® incorporates 12-step approaches into our addiction treatment programs. Attending meetings and events after you complete our recovery program can improve your chances of long-term sobriety.
Plan Family Events on New Year’s Eve
If you live in a large city, you can find plenty of family events, most of which do not serve or sell alcohol. This is a great way to ring in New Year’s Eve in a safe and sober environment if you have children. It’s also a great opportunity to re-establish broken relationships and to create new memories that aren’t related to substance use.
You can also plan sober New Year’s Eve events such as ice skating or stay home with a few special guests watching movies and discussing your plans for the new year.
Our family therapy program at Red Oak Recovery® can help you bridge the gap with loved ones you left behind due to a substance use disorder.
Celebrate New Year’s With a Recovery Program
Maybe a young adult rehab program isn’t what you had in mind to start out the new year. However, a sober New Year’s Eve can help you brace yourself for the fight ahead. You won’t have to fight alone. Come to Red Oak Recovery® to begin your journey back to sobriety and many bright, drug-free years of living. Call 866.457.7590 today for more information.
