The holidays can be the most challenging time of year to maintain your sobriety. At Red Oak Recovery®, our alcohol rehab program provides therapy options that leave you ready to face the challenges of living a sober lifestyle. However, certain times of year may trigger your addiction. Learn how to maintain sobriety this holiday season by calling our team today at 866.457.7590.
Holiday Tips to Maintain Sobriety
With a bit of preparation, you can make it through this merry time of year. Here are some tips to help you maintain sobriety during the most festive season of the year:
- Remind yourself what’s at stake. Your health and your mental well-being depend on your continued sobriety.
- Put a post-it on your bathroom mirror to maintain sobriety no matter what.
- Set realistic expectations to avoid depression and anxiety often associated with major holidays.
- Plan sober holiday activities, especially if your family and friends tend to serve alcohol at theirs.
- Avoid going to events where they serve alcohol.
- Explore opportunities to have fun without drinking this holiday season. This could include going to a holiday concert, taking walks, sledding, visiting a museum, and other activities that get you out of the house without exposing you to temptation.
If You Plan to Travel, Attend Local Meetings
Returning to your hometown to visit family and friends on the holidays can help you reconnect with those you may have lost touch with over this turbulent year. However, it’s essential to maintain a routine that encourages sobriety. One way you can do this is to find Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in the town or city you’re traveling to this year.
Unfortunately, you may need to avoid old and new friends who use drugs or drink. Even if you’re at a healthy place in your journey, there’s no point in risking a relapse that can erase all your good work.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment Programs
If you are struggling with an addiction to alcohol, consider our young adult rehab program. Geared towards adults 18 to 30 years old, this program includes experiential and science-based treatment options. Learning new hobbies can help you maintain sobriety and gain confidence in time for the holidays and new year.
Planning Your Own Activities
At Red Oak Recovery®, we encourage clients to participate in fitness, meditation, yoga, wilderness training, and adventure training therapies. This practice helps you gain new interests that you can pursue as part of your sober holiday strategy.
When planning your super sober holiday events, there are plenty of things you can do. For instance, you can purchase e-books that you can play no matter where you travel to this year. Inspirational books on how to maintain sobriety and entertaining audiobooks that take your mind off stress and anxiety are great choices. You can also participate in guided meditations and affirmations that you can play and read along with can improve your chances of maintaining sobriety over the holidays.
Memorize this simple pneumonic tool to help you maintain sobriety:
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- Think about recovery
- Act on recovery
- Minimize stress
- Exercise
- Relax
- Sleep
Furthermore, try to surround yourself with people who love you enough to give up alcohol for the holidays and keep you on track. You can also keep a journal where you can get your feeling down on paper and put your coping skills to good use. You can also plan formal activities with family and friends if you feel up to it. Don’t force yourself to go through the motions if you aren’t feeling it.
Get Addiction Therapy at Red Oak Recovery®
Our addiction treatment services Can help you stay on track through the holiday season and well into the new year at Red Oak Recovery®. You may find that as each year passes, it becomes a little easier to resist cravings and stick to your commitment to sobriety. Our services include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Group therapy
- Individual therapy
- Experiential therapy
Contact us at 866.457.7590 for more information on our substance use rehab programs or to begin the process of enrolling in a life-changing 12-step recovery program.
