As you pursue an alcohol addiction treatment program, holidays and other events turn into a bit of a minefield. Staying sober during all these “party occasions” can be difficult, especially if it’s a holiday that you’ve used to abuse substances before.
But your treatment program has given you the tools you need to cope with real-world triggers, and occasions like these are an opportunity to put your new education into action. With the proper care, you can enjoy Independence Day in a way you never could before sobriety.
The experienced professionals at Sierra Sage Recovery Services (SSRS) are here to help you on the journey to sobriety and have a sober Independence Day Celebration. Learn more tips to put your skills to use by calling 833.922.2884.
Prepare Beforehand
You can take steps before going to an Independence Day celebration to make sure you can stay sober safely. Before the party, prepare an exit strategy in case you need to leave quickly, or you’re not comfortable in your environment. It might be helpful to bring your own car to the occasion because that can give you an easy out and an understandable excuse not to use.
You can also bring a sober friend to accompany you. This “buddy system” tactic puts you in the company of another sober person who wants to keep their head clear. You can hold each other accountable, and they can answer any uncomfortable questions you may be asked.
These questions are usually asked by well-meaning people lacking education and common courtesy. They might ask:
- Why aren’t you drinking/using?
- How long are you planning on staying sober?
- Don’t you miss it?
- Can’t you have just one?
It could be helpful to rehearse answers to these hypothetical questions so that you don’t get thrown off your groove in the heat of the moment. Once you’re prepared for this probing, you’ll feel a lot more prepared.
Find Sober Activities
It might be strange to think about, but if you get invited to a party that you know will have heavy substance use, you don’t actually have to go. You’re fully in the right if you would instead surround yourself in an environment that nurtures your sobriety. And if that’s not something you can find, you can even put an event together for yourself.
You can host a substance-free BBQ for your friends and family. People can bring drinks, but give them the challenge of finding something fun and tasty without alcohol. They can bring flavored sparkling waters or novelty sodas, and you can use that to enjoy staples of the holiday: hot dogs and hamburgers, fun music, and lots of cheerful conversation.
And there are plenty of opportunities for sober activities. You can make s’mores if you have access to a fire pit, or you can light sparklers or smaller fireworks. When it comes to games, charades may feel a little outdated. Luckily there are tons of adult party games on the market that you can enjoy without the need for substances.
Overall, there are ways you can stay sober and still enjoy the holiday, even if it doesn’t look like how you expected.
Enjoy Your Independence Day With Help from Sierra Sage Recovery
There’s no right way to celebrate a holiday. If staying sober means you have an unconventional Independence Day, that doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy it. That’s right; sober holidays can be fun!
Maybe you won’t go to that massive party. You might spend the day at the park with friends or enjoying some popcorn and a movie marathon. These are all equally valid ways to celebrate. You might want to do some volunteering work to give back to the community. Or, if you’re especially triggered by the holiday, you could take the opportunity to go to a few extra meetings.
No matter what you do on your sober holidays, know that you have a system that supports you. If you do find yourself close to a relapse, you can turn to Sierra Sage Recovery Services for various treatment options, including:
- Residential treatment
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- Outpatient treatment
- Aftercare program
- Dual diagnosis treatment program
We can help you retake control over your life, so contact Sierra Sage today at 833.922.2884 to learn more.
