10 Sober Holiday Traditions at Sanford Behavioral Health
It’s December 1st, and for those in recovery, the holidays may loom as a stressor, not the stuff of storybooks. At Sanford Behavioral Health, our sober holiday traditions have stood the test of time through gloomy days and a pandemic. Remember staying sober through that holiday season? Along with the customs of tinsel, candles, dreidels, and traditional dinners, it is a good idea to remember the sober traditions of setting boundaries, watching for triggers, and knowing when to say โNo.โ
Whether new to recovery, managing alcohol consumption, or a sober old timer, we offer ten holiday sober traditions that will keep you safe and confident during the hooplaโbest wishes for a healthy and happy holiday season.
10 Sober Holiday Traditions
1. Anticipate Triggers
At Sanford, we address triggers to relapse in group, individual, and family therapy. So, our clients are armed with tools to anticipate potential problems. Before the tinsel and the toasts, think about some things that might threaten your sobriety this holiday season. Plan how you intend to manage those situations: you can even write them down. If the annual family ski race involves apres-ski cocktails, give it a pass this year or leave after you receive the prize. And if your mother, sister, or uncle gets on your last nerve, plan your answers to their probing questions and your exit strategy.
For more on triggers in our article “A New Look at Relapse Triggers in Addiction Recovery,” click HERE.
2. Establish the Tradition of Sober Holiday Boundaries
There is nothing wrong with arriving early and leaving early. It is a good policy for those new to recovery, especially in an environment that taxes your recovery plan. Having a sober friend ready to call for advice or a ride home is always prudent. You will be making some compromises this month, so ask your family to honor your tradition: when it’s time to go, it is time to go.
For more on boundaries, read our article “How Can We Establish Healthy Boundaries in Recovery?”
3. Take Care of Yourself and Your Recovery
The holidays can be exhausting, expensive, and stressful. Take the time this sober holiday to meditate, exercise, sleep, and eat.
4. Manage Family Stressors and Traditions
Does your family toast with eggnog before Christmas dinner? Or do your family/friends meet for a cocktail at the local pub while the turkey is cooking? The traditional family get-together may be located somewhere you associate with your drug of use. Letโs face it: you love them, but families can push every button. This is the year to set boundaries and enjoy the holidays on your terms. You might feel โleft outโ or lonely if you have to bow out of a family gathering that feels too risky. Fill the time with a long walk or a movie โ something you love to do.
You can always BYO Mocktails! Recipes are in the link below!
Alcohol-Free Mocktails – That’s What I Prefer
6. Plan Your Answers to Inquiring Minds
Miss Manners says it best. โThe gracious manner of declining food or drink is, โNo, thank you,โ and the gracious, not to say decent, response is to let it go at that.โ If you are worried about what to say when someone asks if youโd like an alcoholic drink this sober holiday season, donโt be. It is no oneโs business but yours why you requested club soda. If you feel more comfortable saying you are the designated driver or a person in long-term recovery, that’s fine!
Please read our article, which debunks the notion that sober folks are boring, by clicking the link HERE!
7. Address PAWS and SAD
Recovery during the holidays can be tough. And if you experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) when the weather gets bleak, acknowledge that fact. Get the proper professional help. Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) is a group of symptoms resulting from abstinence from addictive chemicals. If youโre new to recovery, PAWS can impact sleep, concentration, coordination, memory, and emotional reactions. Healthy food, a regular schedule, and loved ones who are educated about the disease of addiction are key to managing PAWS during the sober holiday season.
8. Maintain Your Recovery Routine
This is important. There are so many demands on your time during the holidays you might be tempted to miss a 12-step meeting, relapse prevention class, or cancel your recovery hike. But the best thing you can do is to keep on a schedule, maintain connectedness, and foster your recovery routine. The holidays come but once a year. Quit pushing yourself. Itโs unrealistic to expect to soldier through every trying moment. Instead, ask for extra support. Do what youโre able, and leave the rest.
9. Therapeutic Alliance or Addiction Treatment as a New Holiday Tradition
Rely on your therapist to help you through the pitfalls and triggers of the sober holidays. And if you decide to commit to addictionย treatment during the holidays, good for you. The best gift you could give your loved ones is your commitment to getting healthy during the holidays. The Sanford Addiction Treatment Center clinical team understands that the holiday season can bring about additional stressors that require specific interventions and detailed responses. The Sanford team provides individualized treatment programming that recognizes the potential barriers to being in treatment during the holiday season. Read the article below and let us answer every one of your excuses for not entering treatment now.
These 10 Excuses are the Enemy to Your Recovery!
10. Have Fun
You may be tempted to join the childrenโs table if your adult loved ones are in the โpartyโ mood. And with your clarity of mind, you will win the Scrabble tournament. Sober holidays are tailor-made for good old-fashioned fun. If things get stuffy, head outside for a walk or rally the troops to get some exercise. Take the time to stop and think about your life-giving recovery. And have fun.
Our holiday sober traditions are fun to look back on. Think about it – you can enjoy the holidays without a substance use disorder demanding your full attention. This is the time of year to be thankful. Be thankful that the memories you are making this year will be well remembered and that sober holiday traditions are the new normal.
Sober Holiday Traditions at Sanford Behavioral Health
Sanford Behavioral Health has a team of experienced therapists, counselors, and addiction specialists who are here to help you navigate the sober holiday season with confidence. Staying sober during the holidays is possible with the proper support and healthy habits. Visit us online today to find out more about our comprehensive addiction treatment programs, or call us to schedule a free consultation.
