If you’re fresh out of rehab, or if you’ve been out of rehab for years, the holidays are often challenging times. You will be seeing family and friends who you may not have seen since you became sober. Someone may not be aware of your new lifestyle and offer you an alcoholic beverage. If you’re the family cook, all the stress of the upcoming holiday season may tempt you to indulge. How can you maintain a sober Thanksgiving under all this pressure?
Rest assured, we can help. At BoardPrep Recovery Center®, we understand the pressure you may be facing. So, to put your mind at ease, we offer the following advice to help you have a sober Thanksgiving. To learn more, reach out to BoardPrep Recovery Center® today at 866.796.4720.
Sober Thanksgiving Tips
Whether you’ve been out of rehab for a week or ten years, the holidays can be stressful. You may need to face family members who do not understand your condition or don’t respect your newfound sobriety. You need to have a plan of action on how to avoid succumbing to temptation, or you will not be able to stand firm. Families can be rude or judgemental, but remember, their criticism says more about them than it does about you. It’s more than okay to say no to drugs or alcohol when you’re in recovery.
Be Prepared
One way to stay sober this Thanksgiving is to be prepared. Bring your favorite non-alcoholic beverage to Thanksgiving, in case your host doesn’t have anything other than alcohol available. Make sure you drive yourself to dinner, so if the pressure becomes too much, you can leave. If being hungry makes you want to drink or do drugs, have something small to eat before you go. That way, you won’t be subjected to that temptation.
Work With Your Support System
It’s also critical to communicate with your support system. Tell your sponsor or your AA group where you’re going. Work with them to come up with ways to politely and firmly say no if someone offers drugs or alcohol to you. If you’re traveling out of town, look up local meetings that you can attend. Communication is essential to staying sober. People can’t help you if they don’t know you’re struggling.
Practice Self-Care
Furthermore, it vital that you remember to take care of yourself. Take some time before you leave to relax and remember why you’re thankful. If you’re overwhelmed by all the conversation going on around you, go for a walk. There is a range of other options to help you maintain your stress levels during this day, including:
- Maintain your exercise routine
- Try to eat well-balanced meals
- Make sure to get enough sleep before the big day
- Set appropriate limits and leave the gathering if you feel overwhelmed
- Set aside time for hobbies
Another option is to find the family pet and spend some time with it or hang out with the little ones. The kids may not be the best conversationalists, but they are usually pretty entertaining. If you happen to be spending Thanksgiving on your own this year, don’t sit at home feeling sorry for yourself. Go to a soup kitchen and serve your community, or find a sober Thanksgiving at an AA group close to you.
Reach Out to BoardPrep Recovery Center®
If you’re new to recovery or just thinking about going into rehab, consider coming to BoardPrep Recovery Center®. We offer a variety of services, including:
The holidays can be stressful, and being in recovery makes it more difficult. However, we will be there for you when you need us. Contact BoardPrep Recovery Center® today to learn more.
