The holidays can be especially hard for some people. They may have drank or used last year, but are sober this year. So sobriety is pretty new to them.
So how do you make it through an event successfully is the big question here…?
For me, i prepare myself ahead of time. I prepare myself that there will be alcohol there.
I usually take a sober buddy with me, in my case, my wife. And shell say no for me if i cant find it in me. Plus i have someone to hang with when everybody else is drinking.
I let people know whats going on, like my sponsor and support group… Sometimes theyll check in with me or i check in with them. But they know if they get a call between such hours, im in need.
I make sure to drive, so when i feel the need to leave, i can. I go, say my hello’s, hang out for awhile, and when everyone starts getting toasty, its my time to go…
If i feel that i cant go to the event without having a drink, no matter how short of a period of time i stay, i skip the event all together! Simple! No one event is worth losing my sobriety.
I hit a meeting before the event or after the event. Before if i can, to get me in a recovery mindset. I take what i can and leave the rest…
I pray to my higher power. Help me to make the right decisions for my sobriety today. Thy will be done.
If im there and the drinking is too much for me. I either go off somewhere with my wife or i leave!
Early in my sobriety i did miss quite a few events, but i figured theres always next year ya know. Ill have a year of sobriety and ill most likely be able to say no by myself. Not need someone to do it for me.
Take it one day at a time guys, sometimes hour by hour or shorter. You can do this and have a good time doing it.
Merry Christmas my friends! Hope this helps! Anyone else have any ideas to help stay sober during a holiday function? Share away!
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