Christmas can be a truly magical time of year, full of family, friends, and fun. However, the Christmas season can also be stressful for many people, especially for those who have alcohol or substance use disorders.
Christmas is coming soon, so now is the time to prepare. If you or someone you care about has problems with alcohol or other substances and is worried about maintaining sobriety at this time of the year, make this holiday season the best one yet by having a sober Christmas.
What Is a Sober Christmas?
These days, it seems as though alcohol or intoxicants are intertwined with almost every facet of life, including holidays. Christmas is a perfect example. Toasting with champagne, drinking spiked eggnog, taking sips of liquor from a flask, or maybe using harmful drugs are common traditions for some at Christmas. For those with alcohol or substance use disorders or for people in alcohol addiction recovery, it can seem that the temptation and opportunity to drink or abuse substances are everywhere.
Sober Christmas is an idea created to help people who are either in alcohol recovery and those who want to celebrate the season without relapsing into alcohol or substance addiction. The concept is simple: no alcohol or intoxicant consumption during the holidays. Instead, the focus is on what Christmas is really all about: family, friends, love, gratitude, and kindness.
The Benefits of a Sober Christmas
Abstaining from drugs or alcohol during the Christmas season has many positive benefits. Some of these include:
- Completing more tasks and errands – We all know that there are a million things to get done so that your celebration is perfect. If you are engaging in sober living, you will have more energy and will be amazed at all of the things that you can check off your to-do list.
- Enjoyment of food – Instead of indulging in drugs or alcohol, try to experience all of the amazing food available during this time of year. Forget about your diet and help yourself to another plate at Christmas dinner or eat a few extra gingerbread cookies. Rediscover your love of food!
- No hangovers – You can wake up early to see what Santa put under the tree without the pounding headache or crippling nausea that result from hangovers.
- Remembering the holiday – Your mind can be present while you give out your presents. Memories that you make during a sober Christmas will stick with you for the rest of your life.
This is just a short list of the benefits of a sober Christmas, as many more positive effects result from your choice to enjoy this holiday without drugs or alcohol.
Tips for Having a Merry Sober Christmas
Here are some tips to make your sober Christmas more enjoyable:
- Be positive – Staying sober during Christmas is a state of mind. Choose to be cheerful during the holidays. You will be amazed at how much more fun you will have.
- Have a response ready – Be prepared for people to ask you why you aren’t drinking. Responses like “I’m driving later,” “I’m trying to watch calories,” or “I’m staying sober this Christmas” are simple and effective.
- Prepare an escape plan – Create a plan if you find yourself in a situation where you feel pressured to drink or feel stressed enough to use drugs. Think ahead about how you will exit if you feel uncomfortable.
- Volunteer – When you help others in need, you feel better about yourself. Contact local charitable organizations to see how you can help.
Own your decision – If staying sober becomes difficult, remind yourself why you are choosing sober living.
Feel free to reach out to New Bridge Foundation® to learn more about our treatment programs that can help you achieve a sober Christmas. These programs include long and short-term residential treatment as well as virtual outpatient services.
Learn More About Sober Christmas at New Bridge Foundation® in the Bay Area Today
Remember that sober Christmas can truly be the most wonderful time of the year. If you or a loved one would like more information about how our programs can help you have a sober Christmas or begin alcohol recovery or recovery from any other substance, reach out to us using our secure online form today or call us at 866.772.8491, or contact us online to learn more.
