{"id":1649,"date":"2020-12-04T21:35:06","date_gmt":"2020-12-04T21:35:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/?p=1649"},"modified":"2026-02-11T16:37:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T16:37:19","slug":"tips-for-staying-sober-through-the-holidays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/tips-for-staying-sober-through-the-holidays\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for Staying Sober Through the Holidays"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/sober-new-year\/\">holiday season<\/a> is finally upon us! The lights shine bright and the d\u00e9cor perks up even the most Grinch-like among us. What\u2019s meant to be a season of fun and merriment for everyone, with festivities and get-togethers filling up the calendar, can feel like the opposite for those in recovery though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Like avoiding landmines.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Staying sober through the holidays can seem like a pressure-filled, high-wire act but with a little foresight and a dash of extra willpower, you can get through it <em>and <\/em>have a great time too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/tips-for-staying-sober-through-the-holidays\/#have-a-plan\" >Have a Plan<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/tips-for-staying-sober-through-the-holidays\/#level-up-your-support\" >Level Up Your Support<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/tips-for-staying-sober-through-the-holidays\/#volunteer\" >Volunteer<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/tips-for-staying-sober-through-the-holidays\/#limit-time-spent-in-triggering-situations\" >Limit Time Spent in Triggering Situations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/tips-for-staying-sober-through-the-holidays\/#know-what-to-say-and-be-open\" >Know What to Say and Be Open&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/tips-for-staying-sober-through-the-holidays\/#increase-the-self-care\" >Increase the Self-Care<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/tips-for-staying-sober-through-the-holidays\/#principles-recovery-center-has-your-back\" >Principles Recovery Center Has Your Back<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"have-a-plan\"><\/span>Have a Plan<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just like folks plan those parties, you need to put a plan in place for how to navigate those parties and the season in general. What it should entail is really up to your needs and could be as simple as making sure you drive your own care or arrange your own transportation so you stay in control or having someone supportive of your recovery with you and accessible. Maybe it means planning to skip certain events altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"level-up-your-support\"><\/span>Level Up Your Support<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Support groups are game-changers and powerful lifelines any time of the year but they really shine bright during the holidays. Increase the amount of support group meetings you go to, kick it into overdrive if you have to. If you can\u2019t find a convenient meeting or a friend to go with, make sure you talk with someone supportive before and\/or after attending a function and \u201cbookend\u201d the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Support will be the wings that carry you through this with ease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"volunteer\"><\/span>Volunteer<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019ve been attending support groups for a while, there\u2019s a good chance you\u2019ve already found yourself in something of a mentor role and experienced the benefits of that firsthand. How leading by example and helping a fellow addict through recovery helps to keep you accountable to your own sobriety. Embrace that and take a step further by volunteering in any capacity over the holidays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Doing good for someone else does even more good for you and is great motivation to keep your recovery as a priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"limit-time-spent-in-triggering-situations\"><\/span>Limit Time Spent in Triggering Situations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The holidays are a time when you see lots of people that you ordinarily may not, including friends and family that may push your buttons just a little too much. If you know there\u2019s an aunt or uncle that asks too many questions or an ex that you know will be around or old friends who still drink and use drugs, try to avoid those situations and people altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"know-what-to-say-and-be-open\"><\/span>Know What to Say and Be Open&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They say honesty is the policy and they say it for a reason. Being open and honest with people and letting them know you\u2019re in recovery and sober is not only fine but encouraged. That said, you may not be comfortable telling people that, which is understandable. If that\u2019s the case, have something of a script in mind on how to respond to offers of drinks or drugs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"increase-the-self-care\"><\/span>Increase the Self-Care<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Commit to gifting yourself some <em>you<\/em>-time this holiday season. Don\u2019t stretch yourself too thin. Eat well. Stay hydrated. Get a massage. Meditate. Workout. Sleep well. Even if it\u2019s only a few moments, they can go a long way. So, whatever constitutes treating yourself, put more emphasis on it during the holidays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"principles-recovery-center-has-your-back\"><\/span>Principles Recovery Center Has Your Back<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Holidays and recovery don\u2019t have to be like oil and water, they can actually mix and even go together quite well. The big takeaway here is that planning, above all else, goes a long way to ensuring that this holiday season is one you enjoy. If you\u2019re feeling anxious though, no problem, get in touch with us at <a href=\"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/\">Principles Recovery Center<\/a> and we\u2019d be happy to give you even more tips and advice on how to navigate the season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The holiday season is finally upon us! The lights shine bright and the d\u00e9cor perks up even the most Grinch-like among us. What\u2019s meant to be a season of fun and merriment for everyone, with festivities and get-togethers filling up the calendar, can feel like the opposite for those in recovery though. Like avoiding landmines.&nbsp; [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":1650,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1649","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-addiction-treatment"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1649","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1649"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1649\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":47076,"href":"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1649\/revisions\/47076"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1649"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1649"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1649"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}