The Importance of Gratitude in Addiction Recovery for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for everything we have in our lives. Most of us have a lot to be thankful for, including good health, success in our careers, a loving relationship, our families, and so much more. For people who have overcome drug or alcohol abuse, it’s also an important time to express and appreciate gratitude in addiction recovery. While giving thanks in addiction recovery is the ultimate goal, this holiday can be a vital reminder of how far we’ve come for those who are early in their recovery. Beyond just feeling pleasant or affirming, research backs the power of gratitude in general and how it can boost our overall health, sense of happiness and contentment, and ability to better understand ourselves. 

A 2022 article from Mindful cited a study of hundreds of adults getting counseling services at a university. One group wrote a weekly gratitude letter for three weeks, and they were found to have better mental health than others in the study even 12 weeks after they last wrote a letter. With gratitude being such a vital thing in our lives, let’s explore how this concept relates to Thanksgiving and the holiday season and how to achieve a sense of gratitude during addiction recovery.

Is Thanksgiving a Stressful Holiday?

While we all want to have a joyful, connected holiday season, the reality is that holidays can be quite stressful in and of themselves. For some, the holidays serve as a stark reminder of the loved ones we have lost who we can no longer be with or celebrate together. For others, the financial strain of traveling, purchasing gifts, and hosting large parties or celebrations can add up to unwanted stress.

A U.S. News & World Report article, for example, cited an online poll from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, with three in four participants saying they felt either more anxious or depressed during each holiday season. This can be especially difficult to get through for those with a mental health struggle or loved ones in early addiction recovery, who might feel apprehensive about facing tough questions from friends or family members or worry that they won’t feel the “right” way during what is supposed to be a festive time of the year. For many reasons, Thanksgiving and all major holidays can feel stressful and even overwhelming. That’s why it’s essential to practice self-care techniques whenever possible to embrace the good parts of holidays and still allow ourselves to accept how we’re truly feeling in the moment.

How to Have a Sober Thanksgiving?

Now that we understand the basics of gratitude in addiction recovery, let’s explore a related topic: How to have a sober Thanksgiving. Let’s explore some basic tips that can help if you’re early in recovery or trying to resist temptations that can lead to relapse:

• Be Realistic: Perhaps the most helpful thing you can do is to set realistic expectations, especially if it’s your first sober Thanksgiving. Understand that it’s OK to not feel comfortable or happy all the time. Try to embrace the positive and negative emotions you experience, and if you think a certain party or gathering might be too much to handle, allow yourself to opt out and find a different, less stressful way of marking the holiday.
• Find Support: Before the holidays, get your friends, loved ones, and support systems in place, and know how to reach out for help if needed. This can be a major source of comfort if you have a hard holiday ahead.
• Try Something New: A first sober Thanksgiving can be a great time to start new traditions. Get together with other people, travel somewhere new, and find little ways to do something fun or meaningful, whatever they are. It’s all about figuring out ways of celebrating that work for you.

Do a Lot of People Drink on Thanksgiving?

Because many people have the day off on Thanksgiving and get together with friends or loved ones, many of us will end up at celebrations or large meals together – and, yes, many people will drink during the holiday. When looking at holidays with the most binge drinking, some surveys have put Thanksgiving in 10th place, with people drinking an average of 2.7 drinks (about double the average number on days that aren’t holidays). While that’s a high rate, it’s much lower than other holidays that are attributed to binge drinking, such as Mardi Gras (4.5 drinks per person), New Year’s Eve (4.4 drinks), and St. Patrick’s Day (4.2 drinks). The Fourth of July, Halloween, Cinco de Mayo, Memorial Day, and Labor Day also make the top 10 list.

Why Do People Drink So Much the Night Before Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving drinking is one thing, but anecdotal evidence from the alcohol industry suggests the day before Thanksgiving is an even bigger deal. A Yahoo Finance article looked at data from 2,900 liquor, beer, and wine stores across America, finding that sales jump 130% higher than normal on “Thanksgiving Eve,” as some in the industry call it.

There are many reasons why the night before Thanksgiving has become a day of heavy drinking for a large percentage of Americans. Consider, for example, that almost everyone outside the hospitality industry has the next day off for the holiday. Many people travel home for Thanksgiving, and since they have a night before family gatherings and don’t feel like entertaining or cooking at home, a large majority go out for dinner and drinks with old friends or acquaintances they might not have seen in years. There’s also a sense that this night begins the holiday season, so people might feel tempted to cut loose and celebrate – and, all too often, overindulge in drinking.

Is Thanksgiving the Biggest Drinking Day?

While the American holiday season that begins on Thanksgiving and continues into the New Year is a time of heavier drinking for many people, whether it’s because of having time off work, traveling, or getting together for celebrations with family and friends, the biggest drinking day actually comes the night before Thanksgiving. For many people, this informal day of drinking is nicknamed Thanksgiving Eve, Blackout Wednesday, and Drinksgiving. Bars often have specials going on that night, catering to the increased demand for celebrating and going out with old friends, and some cities and counties report dramatic increases in drunk driving arrests on that night.

Celebrate Gratitude in Addiction Recovery With Help from Resurgence Behavioral Health

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol, knowing where to turn for help is a critical first step to getting on the road to a better life. In California, Resurgence Behavioral Health offers a comprehensive range of addiction treatment programs, including medical detox, inpatient and outpatient rehab options, and aftercare and support services, to help people break the chains of addiction and achieve long-lasting recovery. If you’re ready to start the process toward having gratitude in addiction recovery – this Thanksgiving and throughout the year – get started today by calling us at 855-458-0050.

External Sources

• Mindful – The Science of Gratitude
• U.S. News & World Report – Thanksgiving Woes: Anxiety, Depression
• Yahoo Finance – Holidays Where People Spend the Most on Alcohol and How Much We’re Spending

David Rofofsky
After growing up in New York, David chose to get help with substance abuse in California because of the state's reputation for top-tier treatment. There, he found the treatment he needed to achieve more than nine years of recovery. He's been in the drug and alcohol addiction rehab industry for eight years and now serves as the Director of Admissions for Resurgence Behavioral Health. David remains passionate about the field because he understands how hard it is to pick up the phone and ask for help. However, once the call is made, someone's life can be saved.

Research | Editorial