How You Can Celebrate While Staying Sober

As the country slowly reopens, that means there will be more parties, more milestone celebrations and more holidays to share. If you’re a recovering substance abuser, parties are often some of the hardest situations in which to maintain your sobriety. However, it can be done—and with the help of your therapist, we’re confident you can tackle this challenge. Here are some tips to celebrate while staying sober:

• Take a sobriety buddy: Not sure you can do it alone? As the Beatles and Joe Cocker once suggested, get by with a little help from your friends. Take a trusted friend to any celebration where you’re afraid you might slip. Ask them to help keep you motivated and sober.
• Communicate with your loved ones: Communication is key in any good relationship. When you’re struggling, reach out to your loved ones and let them know. Chances are, they’ll be happy to help keep you on the straight and narrow.
• Try religion or spirituality: It’s easy to slide back into old habits when you feel like it’s you against the world. That’s why Alcoholics Anonymous and many other support groups have a spiritual or religious element: it helps us get outside our heads and take comfort in a bigger picture.
• Eat healthy meals, not sugar bombs: One pitfall for recovering addicts is that it’s all too easy to replace substances with sugary treats. Unfortunately, parties are often full of them. To avoid swapping one addiction for another, load up on healthy, balanced meals beforehand and limit your sugar intake.
• Engage in self-care: Actively engaging yourself in self-care is a pre- or post-celebration way to maintain sobriety. Meditation, exercise, yoga, journaling, hot baths and other enjoyable activities will make it easier to fill any void substances have left behind.
• Get outdoors: Getting outside can help remove the temptation to abuse substances—and they can be fun celebrations of their own. Why not take the family on a long winter walk with hot cocoa, or hike one of Washington’s natural wonders for Labor Day weekend?
• Volunteer your time: Finally, volunteering is a great way to keep your sobriety in perspective. Offer to serve holiday meals to the less fortunate, organize a toy drive or otherwise involve yourself in giving back to the community.

For help utilizing these suggestions on how to celebrate while sober, reach out to Apple Valley Counseling Services LLC today to schedule an appointment.

Categorised in: Substance Abuse Counseling

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