Like many holidays, Thanksgiving can be a source of great meaning and happiness. For this reason, people often find it as a reason to celebrate with friends and family, indulging in food and drinks. But for you, drinking alcohol during this delicate point of your life can be very detrimental to your recovery. Given that alcohol during holidays may be inevitable, staying sober in such times is not only difficult but can be overwhelming. Nonetheless, by utilizing relapse prevention tools from your addiction treatment program, here at The District, we believe you can have a sober thanksgiving.
How to Have a Sober Thanksgiving
Spend Time with Supportive People
You are likely to give in to the temptation of drinking if everyone around you is encouraging you to drink. Some will throw in statements like, “one drink can’t hurt,” but this falsehood will only put you in a problem that may be difficult to deal with. You might finally accept the innocuous glass of wine, and before you know it, you are struggling to get on your feet. This is not the situation you would like to be in. While it is important to celebrate with your loved ones, it is more crucial to do so with people who understand your situation and support your sobriety goals. Let them know that you are recovering from alcohol addiction and how important it is to stay sober. Supportive family and friends will refrain from forcing or coercing you to drink with them.
Know Your Triggers
Thanksgiving can be joyful, but it can also be emotionally strenuous. The first few hours of a thanksgiving party can be full of laughter, but things can start getting sour as family members spend time together. Conflicts and heated arguments are almost unavoidable. These arguments may evoke stress and anger, which can make you susceptible to temptation and relapse. This is when you will want to avoid any confrontation or argument that may uncover old pains and hurts. If you find yourself in such a situation, strive to moderate your emotions and release tension. Perhaps, you could take a walk or talk to someone who may understand you. But when the arguments become too intense, it is time to leave the party.
Break from the Norm
Thanksgiving can evoke nostalgic feelings. With nostalgia, you may reminisce about past good memories of drinking and conveniently ignore the horrible ones. But it is important to make peace because a thanksgiving holiday may look and feel different. For this reason, you can engage yourself in festivities that may not involve drinking. You can organize a sober thanksgiving party and invite your sober friends from your support group. You can also engage in other fulfilling activities such as traveling, volunteering in charity organizations, or exercising.
Give Yourself Something to Look Forward to After a Sober Thanksgiving
Plan to reward yourself after a sober thanksgiving. This may be something that you would not have been able to enjoy if you took alcohol during the holiday. Perhaps you could go for a workout or dance class or plan to have a massage or anything else that makes you feel good.
Seek Treatment at The District Recovery Community
If you have had another alcohol addiction relapse triggered by similar situations, it is best to seek treatment. For instance, you may attend an intensive outpatient program in Orange County, CA, to help you stay focused on staying sober during a holiday like this. Some of the treatment programs you will find at The District Recovery Community may include:
- Medication-assisted treatment
- Drug detox program
- Experiential and adventure-based therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
Let us help you brave the journey to full recovery from alcohol addiction. Contact The District Recovery Community at 844.287.8506, or contact us at your earliest convenience to get started on a bespoke treatment program. We will offer you the right tools and skills to help you have a sober thanksgiving.
