Eight Ideas to Help You Stay Sober Over the Holidays

The holidays might mean parties for hosting as well as marshmallows for roasting, but they can also pose a hardship for those in recovery, especially for those in the early stages of the process.  The combined stresses of parties, traveling, shopping, finances, and expectations can tempt people into relapsing.  At Grace Recovery, a brand-new state-of-the-art addiction treatment program located in Hollywood, California, and serving the entire Los Angeles area, we have compiled this list of suggestions for keeping you safe and sober during the holidays.

1.  Plan ahead.

One of the benefits of holiday get-togethers is that nearly all of them are scheduled.  This will permit you to know what is coming up and prepare for them accordingly.  It’s easy to have a game plan ready when you can anticipate what will happen during a party, and skip it if you think the temptation to drink or take drugs will be too great.  Rest assured that even if you do skip a party you can be reasonably sure that you could attend next-year’s festivities after you get a year of recovery under your belt.  And speaking of planning, prepare yourself ahead of time by talking yourself up before you head to a party.  That way you will be prepared for whatever you encounter once you get there.

2.  There’s safety in numbers.

If you decide to attend a party or other event, consider taking a sober friend with you to help keep you sane. Ideally, take someone with you who is aware of your situation and who will encourage you to stick with your recovery plan.  Whether you take a friend with you or not, you can also call a friend or sponsor to check in when the event is over.  And when someone does confront you with drugs or alcohol, be ready with a defense not to partake.

3.  Know your limits.

There is almost always a social pressure at parties and other events to convince you to drink.  You can minimize this pressure by deciding ahead of time how long you will stay at an event.  Further, know in advance not only when, but how you plan to leave an event when you are finished.  And if you anticipate having a tough time, bring your own car so you can dictate when it’s time for you to leave.

4.  Know and avoid your triggers.

Keep in mind your triggers–those people, places, and situations–that cause you to drink or take drugs, and avoid them.  For example, if certain people cause you to falter, simply avoid them or spend minimal time with them, especially when they start encouraging you to drink or take drugs.  This is especially true if you are already experiencing your own mood reactions such as loneliness, anger, hunger, and tiredness.  These internal situations can cause someone to buckle when confronted by tempting people or situations.

5.  Stay occupied.

When you get to a party or other gathering, what do you plan on doing?  Do you plan to engage in conversations?  Perhaps eat dinner?  Stay mindful of what you are doing since this will prevent you from doing something else, often without even thinking about it.  Also, people will be less likely to offer you a drink if you are busy talking with someone or taking part in another activity.  Another good strategy for dealing with those who want you to drink or take drugs is to already keep a drink (nonalcoholic, of course) in your hands.  You can take a drink if you already have one, can you?  Further, many people will naturally assume that you are already drinking if you have a full glass in your hands.

6.  Case the joint beforehand.

When you receive an invite, ask the host whether there will be alcohol or those using drugs at the event.  This way you will know whether to accept an invitation or avoid certain people who might cause you to stumble.  If you are concerned that someone will want to discuss drinking or drugs, or even rehab, stay focused on something else and avoid the discussion entirely.  Remember, nobody has the right to force you to drink or take drugs, and those who do are not your friends.

7.  Focus on the positive.

There are always plenty of things associated with the holidays that have nothing to do with drugs and alcohol.  Why not focus on these things?  These might include activities such as baking and other cooking, playing holiday games, and much more.

8.  Be of service.

The holidays are full of opportunities to find fulfillment in giving of yourself.  By taking your mind off of drinking and drugs, you can concentrate on providing support to others.  This not only benefits other people by paying forward, but it also builds your own strength as well.

 

Tips for Your First 30 Days of Sobriety

Addiction is a very serious and deadly disease. As with any disease, you are going to need professional help if you are going to get better. Most people who have an addiction who have tried to quit cold turkey have not been successful. According to the National Institue Of Drug Abuse, addiction cannot be cured; however, with the right help, it can be managed successfully. If you are going to get sober and remain sober, you will need professional help from Grave Recovery. We are a state-of-the-art addiction treatment program in Hollywood. We can give you the tools that you need to fight your addiction.

Anyone in recovery will tell you that the first 30 days of sobriety are the most challenging. If you are going to stay clean, you should know a few tips to follow during those first 30 days.

Avoid Old “Friends”

When you first decide that it is time to get sober, you are going to need to cut ties with anyone in your life who uses. In the first 30 days, you won’t be strong enough to resist temptation. If you stop by a friend’s house and they are drinking or using, it will likely cause a relapse. You are going to need to cut all contact with these people, and start spending time with people who are clean and sober.

Support Systems

You are going to need a lot of support during your first 30 days of sobriety if you are going to prevent a relapse. There are a few different types of support that can be very helpful.

  • 12-Step Meetings: It is essential that you attend meetings daily during your recovery. Being around other addicts and hearing their stories can give you the support and the inspiration that you need to stay clean. Being able to stand up and tell your story is helpful as well.
  • Individual Therapy: It is a good idea to start going to individual therapy, especially during your first 30 days of sobriety. Many addicts use substances to mask an underlying condition. When you get the treatment that you need to work on the underlying condition, it can be very beneficial to your sobriety.
  • Support System: It is essential to have a support system of clean friends and family members in place. If you start to feel down or weak, the people in your support system can be there to give you the help that you need.

Exercise Regularly

Exercise is a great tool when it comes to getting sober. Exercise helps produce endorphins, which can give you a natural high. After a run or a good workout, many people report a euphoric feeling. Also, when you are focusing on your body and your health, you won’t be thinking about using. The best types of exercise are anything that gets your heart pumping and makes you work up a sweat.

Write-In a Journal

During your first days of sobriety, you should start writing in a journal. This is a place where you can vent your feelings. If you feel frustrated, angry, or weak, putting it on paper can help. It is also a great place to document your successes. The key to effective journaling is to be honest about your feelings in your journal. Nobody will be reading it but you; therefore, you can write down whatever you are feeling. This can be especially helpful if you aren’t quite ready to open up to your loved ones.

Don’t Rationalize

Rationalization is common during the first 30 days of sobriety. Many people who have been sober for a short period of time tell themselves that they have a few weeks under their belts; therefore, they can have one or two drinks. It is this type of thinking that quickly leads to a relapse.

Don’t Dwell On Past Mistakes

When you are finally sober and clear-headed, it is not uncommon to start dwelling on the mistakes that you made during your addiction. Thinking about the people that you hurt and the things that you lost will only make things worse. The depression that dwelling on the past can cause will only result in a relapse. Rather than dwelling on the past, start making plans for your future. Making plans will give you hope for your future as a sober person.

If you are suffering from addiction, the professionals at Grace Recovery can help. We have everything that you could need, all under one roof. After completing our detoxification program, you can start getting the help and tools necessary to stay sober at our residential inpatient program. We have plenty of luxurious amenities to make your stay as comfortable as possible. If you are ready to leave drugs and alcohol behind, and you are prepared to start living a sober and productive life, contact our center in Los Angeles, CA today. Making that call is the first step toward your happy, sober life.