5 Sober New Year’s Eve Ideas
Why It’s Important To Stay Sober on New Year’s Eve
There are many people around the world who equate New Year’s Eve with a night of drinking and partying. While this is true for many individuals, the reality is that if you have struggled with substance abuse, this is no longer an option for you if you want to remain sober and in good health. This doesn’t take away from the fact that New Year’s eve can be a challenging night for many, especially if they are new to their sobriety. By making the commitment to remain sober on New Year’s eve, you are continuing to take steps toward your own recovery and sobriety. You are showing yourself that it is possible to heal and grow in spite of your addiction and that your addiction is something that will not defeat you.
5 Tips to Stay Sober on New Year’s Eve
Although it may seem challenging at times, the reality is that there are several ways that you can have a safe and sober New Years Eve. Here are just a few examples of steps that you can take to ensure that your sobriety stays intact during this time of year:
- Plan to attend support groups as often as possible
Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings are powerful tools when it comes to working through your substance abuse issues. This is one of the many reasons why we encourage our clients to take advantage of these meetings as often as possible during the time that they are in treatment. You will notice that AA and NA meetings are similar to group therapy sessions in the sense that you will have the opportunity to share your thoughts and experiences and listen to the experiences of others. Another great aspect of these meetings is the fact that they take place every day throughout the day. You can plan to attend a meeting before a party you want to attend and after to support your sobriety even further. - Plan to throw your own New Year’s Eve party
One of the best things that you can do to avoid the temptation of drinking or using drugs on New Year’s Eve is to plan to throw your own party. You can make it very clear to anyone that you invite that this party is one that is drug and alcohol free. Also, be sure to invite people that you trust to help you maintain your sobriety.
- Stay in for the night
If you feel as though the temptation of going out may be too difficult for you to manage, then there is no harm in opting to stay in that night. You can make a bowl of popcorn, watch a movie or watch the ball drop all from the comfort of your own home. This provides you with the safety and security that you need during this potentially challenging time. - Ask a sober friend to go to a party with you
If you have been invited to a party that you really want to go to, another alternative is to ask a sober friend or family member to go to the party with you. Taking this step is something that provides you with an excellent sense of support and can help you to better manage the emotions that you may experience while being around others that are drinking. - Have an exit strategy
Do you have a company holiday party that you have to go to or one for a family member or close friend? If you are in a position where you need to attend these events alone, you should always make sure that you have an exit strategy in place so that you can get out of an environment that you feel uncomfortable in. Your sobriety is the most important thing to you right now so doing everything that you can possibly do to keep that intact is paramount in comparison to attending a party.
Reach Out for Help If You Relapse
Regardless of how many years of sobriety you have, there is always the possibility that you may find yourself in a position where you have relapsed. It’s key to understand that there are many different stages associated with relapse before you physically relapse on drugs or alcohol. The stages of relapse include:
- Emotional
The first stage of relapse is an emotional relapse. This is something that happens when you stop going to support meetings and start to distance yourself from friends and family. Around New Years, it’s not uncommon for you to start to feel as though you’re heading toward an emotional relapse simply because your addiction can trick you back into feeling as though you’re completely alone during these struggles. - Mental
Once you transition into the mental stage of relapse, you begin to forget the struggles that you once had when it came to addiction and you begin to romanticize it. Your mind starts to play tricks on you in the sense that it begins to tell you that you can have just one drink or take just one drug and stop there. Realistically, when a person takes that step, they can fall further into their addiction then they once were. Often, a friend or a family member can identify that you have taken this step which is why you should always listen to them and try to lean on them for their support. - Physical
Physical relapse takes place when you physically consume your addictive substance of choice. Although it’s difficult to turn back to sobriety at this point, it’s not impossible when you reach out for help immediately so that you can get back to your sober focus.
If you do relapse, it’s important to try to avoid feeling guilty or overwhelmed by the decisions that you have made. Feeling guilty is something that will only hinder you in the span of your recovery. Instead, reaching out to Resurgence Behavioral Health and learning more about your recovery options is something that can be a life changing step for you. Regardless of whether you have gone through a treatment program before or you have completed one of our recovery programs, you can take comfort in the fact that we will never judge you. Instead, we will offer you the help and guidance that you need to resume your journey and get the help that you need during this difficult time in your life. With the right type of support, recovery, even multiple times, is always possible.
Resurgence is Here for You
If you find yourself struggling with your sobriety around New Years or you’re ready to leave your addiction issues in the past, the Resurgence Behavioral Health team is here for you. Our intake team is available around the clock, even during the holidays to provide you with the care and support that you need during this potentially challenging time of the year. Don’t feel as though you need to struggle with the stress of this alone. If you have concerns about your sobriety or the sobriety of someone that you care about, we encourage you to get in touch with us today to learn more about your treatment options so that you can enjoy a safe and sober 2023!
