1 Plan each and every day of your holiday season: Plan to spend the majority of your time with friends and family who are supportive of your recovery.
2 Find a meeting in your area: Many groups have special meetings during the holidays to share their experience, strength and hope. Check the local papers for a meeting in your area.
3 Ask for support from family and friends:Those who are truly supportive of your recovery will be happy to help you throughout the holidays.
4 Have a list of ten people you can call:Make a list and check it twice. Carry your cell phone and list of names at all times.
5 Don’t forget about regular exercise:Regular exercise is an essential component of any balanced recovery program.
6 Stay away from slippery places: There is absolutely no reason to ever check out your former favorite establishments.
7 Create new traditions to replace your old using patterns: Buy a new board game or take the family on a sleigh ride. Use your imagination, be creative, & have fun.
8 Write out a daily gratitude list: The quickest cure to get you out of the holiday blues is by counting your blessings and being grateful for what you have every morning.
9 Volunteer your services to a charitable organization: There are many people in your community who are less fortunate than you. You will be helping not only the needy but yourself!
10 Write a letter to yourself – “How I stayed sober over the holidays:” The act of writing your ideas on paper is very powerful. Write down all the activities and events that will help you have healthy, happy, and sober holiday season.
11 Avoid H.A.L.T. (Hungry, Angry, Lonely , Tired): If you are hungry, get something to eat. If you are angry, talk to somebody about it. If you are lonely, go to a meeting or call a friend. If you are tired, get a good night’s sleep.
12 Live one day at a time and enjoy your sobriety: Stay in the moment and live one day at a time. Never mind about what happened or what could happen. Enjoy today. Live today. Celebrate your sobriety!
This Christmas, let’s pause for reflection about all of the gifts we have received since we started our sober journey:
“Hope, Instead of Desperation”
“Faith, Instead of Despair”
“Courage, Instead of Fear”
“Peace of Mind, Instead of Confusion”
“Self-Respect, Instead of Self-Contempt”
“Self-Confidence, Instead of Helplessness”
“The respect of others, instead of their Pity and Contempt.”
“A Clean Conscience, Instead of a Sense of Guilt”
“Real Friendships, Instead of Loneliness”
“A Clean Pattern of Life, Instead of a Purposeless Existence”
“The Love and Understanding of Our Families, Instead of Their Doubts and Fears”
“The Freedom of a Happy Life, Instead of the Bondage of an Addictive Obsession”
Truly freeing ourselves from active addiction means that we proclaim our RIGHT to be happy. We have the RIGHT to do and have those things and those relationships that are good for us.