An increase in social gatherings, events, and family tensions occur during the holidays, potentially risking commitments in recovery. Celebrating a sober Christmas is a great way to remind you and your family of the joys recovery can provide. There are countless ways to remain sober during the holidays while participating in every aspect of them.
If you and a loved one are currently considering behavioural, drug, or alcohol treatment, don’t wait, now is the best time to contact Venture Academy by filling out our online contact form or calling 866.762.2211. Our drug and alcohol treatment programs are designed to help teens completely recover by providing effective evidence-based practices.
Enjoying a Sober Christmas
Unfortunately, alcohol and holiday festivities go hand-in-hand. Serving alcohol at parties may seem harmless, but for those in recovery, complicated feelings can surface. Having fun while staying sober is entirely possible this Christmas. Staying sober involves implementing relapse prevention techniques such as:
- Hosting your own sober Christmas party-Having a sober party allows you to establish rules and expectations. Inviting people who respect recovery and don’t abuse substances themselves helps minimize the risk of relapse.
- Having a holiday movie marathon-Having a Christmas movie marathon is a low-pressure activity to enjoy. Avoiding events that could cause stress can be a form of isolation. Thinking outside of the box by trying new activities can prove that having fun while remaining sober is entirely possible.
- Getting creative-The holidays are excellent for getting in touch with your creative side. Whether you’re decorating an ornament or designing a winter wonderland for your family’s front yard, being creative can be therapeutic.
- Attending a meeting-A meeting can be a helpful reminder of the freedom there is in recovery. In challenging situations, going to a meeting can be inspiring and encouraging.
Involving the “one day at a time” mantra that people in recovery use to navigate sobriety is a way to avoid overwhelming feelings associated with the holidays. Preparing yourself by creating a preventative plan are steps towards ensuring a sober Christmas is possible for you and your family.
Tips for Relapse Prevention
Preventing relapse is a constant work in progress for those in recovery. Ensuring you have a plan to work through and people who support you is one of the many ways to practice relapse prevention. Other tips for relapse prevention include:
- Volunteering-The holidays are tough for those who are less fortunate, so giving your time to a food drive or charity event can make you feel good about being sober. Substances control you, and offering help is difficult when you’re requiring it. Paying close attention to the ways recovery is helping you can be profound when giving help to someone else.
- Working towards a goal-Meeting goals you’ve set for yourself is a fulfilling way to stay sober. Creating and reaching goals that are specific to your sober lifestyle is rewarding. When substances are controlling your life, reaching goals isn’t a typical priority. A powerful insight into the importance of recovery is acknowledging all the achievements you’ve made since deciding to get sober.
- Keeping it simple-Practicing mindfulness, making a plan, and being prepared are simple yet effective ways to practice relapse prevention.
Being mindful of feelings and coping with them effectively are tools taught in treatment counselling. Practicing techniques that prevent relapse are useful throughout the recovery process.
Celebrate a Sober Christmas with Support from Venture Academy
At Venture Academy, we provide personalised programs to troubled teens in multiple locations across Canada. With a custom approach, we can ensure your child is working towards recovery and moving forward. You will begin to notice improvements in your teen’s life as they get back on their path of wellness at one of our safe and supportive residential treatment centers. Our compassionate staff is ready to help inspire positive change. Our programs restore hope and build the skill to help sustain a complete recovery. To learn more about Venture Academy, call our professional staff at 866.762.2211 or fill out our online contact form.
