The winter holidays can be difficult if you are new to sobriety, or if you tend to have a more difficult time with mental health during the winter months. But these celebrations also often include drinking, making them sometimes difficult to enjoy for people in recovery. However, many people experience more stress during the holiday season, making this trigger more pertinent this time of year. For people with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders, such as addiction and depression, drinking or drug use may have been a way to self-medicate.

Why Is It Hard to Stay Sober Over the Holidays?

To find another treatment program, browse the top-rated addiction treatment facilities in each state by visiting our homepage, or by viewing the SAMHSA Treatment Services Locator. Early signs of a relapse or slip may be identified by family members, friends, or other loved ones, such as a spouse. Some triggers can be more general, like being at a bar, while others can be very personal to your own experience, such as being with someone you used to drink heavily with. Spend time with people who you feel comfortable around, people who lift you up instead of bringing you down. Remind yourself that you are deserving of this connection — deserving of kindness, love, and happiness. If you are dreading the upcoming holiday or holiday season, being proactive can help.

Remember There Are Other Ways to Celebrate

Whether it’s frying up latkes for Hanukkah, or crafting Christmas ornaments around the fireplace, there are many holiday traditions that don’t require a buzz. Consider playing board games, watching holiday movies, or taking a stroll to gaze at the beautiful lights. Mindfulness is one particularly helpful strategy to combat stress.

Make Self Care a Priority

But it can also be a very stressful time, particularly for people in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. The CDOT Highway Safety Office provides funding to Colorado law enforcement for impaired driving enforcement, education and awareness campaigns. The Heat Is On campaign runs throughout the year, with 16 specific high-visibility impaired driving enforcement sober holidays periods centered on national holidays and large public events. Enforcement periods can include sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and additional law enforcement on duty dedicated to impaired driving enforcement. Find more details about the campaign, including impaired driving enforcement plans, arrest totals and safety tips, at HeatIsOnColorado.com.

If you’re sober, this can feel isolating and may bring up feelings of stress, frustration, and sadness. You don’t have to let unfulfilled expectations, stressful family dynamics, or crazy in-laws threaten your recovery. Regardless of how difficult the holidays may be, focus on the fact that you are alive and sober today. The holiday season is just one small part of your journey – there is so much more ahead. Unfortunately, there is often a lot of alcohol available at parties and family gatherings, and it can be difficult to resist the temptation to drink.

Once confirmed, you’ll receive an email with a personalized link to your reservation. At any point, you can make payments to your account, or you can pay it all off at once. As long as the trip is paid off 90 days before your departure, you can pay at whatever pace you are comfortable with. If you are interested in discussing a sober vacation please contact us at CATCH Recovery. We will take your details and pass them over to our holiday providers who can contact you directly.

CDOT is reminding riders to rally responsibly during their ride to and from the event. The Sturgis Rally DUI enforcement period https://ecosoberhouse.com/ starts today and continues through Aug. 13. Over 72 law enforcement agencies will be participating across the state.

• For many of us, alcohol plays a bigger role in December holiday festivities than we’d like.
• With the holidays just around the corner you may be wondering how you can stay sober with parties, dinners, and social gatherings.
• Do something that is good for humanity and your recovery this season to avoid relapse.
• Sultan said it's important at social gatherings and in general to "remind yourself regularly why you chose sobriety."
• During times of stress, it can be helpful to embrace them.
• Share with your family and friends so they can help and support your recovery.

Graduate School of Addiction Studies

• Finally, Murray of Hooked recommends that you research which bars and restaurants in your destination have exciting nonalcoholic options.
• Such triggers can be emotional (e.g., loneliness, anxiety, depression) or physical (e.g., fatigue, poor sleeping habits).
• Our goal is to help you create a sober lifestyle that you can sustain long-term.
• However, for individuals in recovery, it can also be a time filled with triggers, stress, and temptations that may threaten their sobriety.

We just ask that it not conflict with any of our scheduled meetings. We do not control the culinary options on any of our trips. So, each vacation will be different, but we generally choose resorts and experiences that offer a wide range of quality food. That usually includes options for people with even the most restrictive diets.