4 Quick Tips on Staying Sober for the Fourth of July
Tip #1 Plan Ahead
Planning how you’re staying sober during the 4th of July can save you a lot of frustration, especially if you’re planning on going to a party that will have alcohol. Before you attend the party, call and ask questions. Will there be activities to keep you busy? Asking questions can help you mentally prepare, and that’s half the battle.
Tip #2 Bring Your Beverages & Snacks
Bring your own if you feel like there won’t be any beverages or snacks that you can partake in. This way, you have non-alcoholic choices ready, and you can grab them when you have the chance.
Tip #3 Bring Someone to Hold You Accountable
An accountability partner can be the difference between a good time and a disaster. If you bring someone who has the sole purpose of helping you get through the function sober, it can be very helpful. A plus is that you have someone to talk to the entire time.
Tip #4 Have an Exit Strategy
When things get uncomfortable or you feel that your sobriety is about to be risked, make a plan to leave. Unfortunately, there can be situations where you’re peer pressured or constantly asked if you want a drink. Not everyone understands the sober life. You have to have an exit strategy planned out beforehand to make a move for the door and stay sober on the 4th of July.
Celebrating Holidays Without Risking Your Sobriety
Cocktail parties, 4th of July barbecues, and other social gatherings will be difficult to attend while recovering. You will think of your last independence day and how you were drinking, drugging, or gambling. You will start to reminisce about the old times, and it can only go downhill from there if you don’t do anything to change your thought process.
Although it can be very hard to get used to staying sober through this holiday weekend when romanticizing the old times, you should be more than proud of remaining sober through this difficult time.
Take this opportunity to not only celebrate the holidays but to celebrate your new life as well, your first independence day sober!
If you find yourself struggling during this holiday, you are not alone. There are many other recovering addicts feeling the same as you. Help is only a meeting, function, or phone call away! Don’t make staying sober hard. Make staying sober fun.
Celebrate With Others in Recovery
You put the work into getting clean and sober, so enjoy it and have fun! Many 12-step groups have special events during the holidays to share their experience, strength and hope on how they made staying sober FUN during the holidays. Attending a 12-step event will allow you to meet others who know how you feel and help you get out of your funk!
Even though getting out and meeting other recovering individuals may cause fear and be the exact opposite of your idea of having fun – particularly if you are in early recovery and still trying to find your footing, at least consider trying it out. You never know until you try. Making friends and experiencing new horizons is an excellent way of getting involved in healthier ways to have fun during the holidays.
Call a sober friend or your sponsor if you are nervous about going to a function. Let them know how you feel and see what they suggest, or ask them to come with you! Functions are loads of fun. They have barbecues, guest speakers, games, events, etc. You would be surrounded by people who know how you are feeling, and you will have so much fun while creating new and sober memories. However, if you feel as if you would rather hang out with your family and friends, bring a sober buddy!!!
Get a Sober Accountability Partner
It’s a good idea to keep in mind the people you can call when you need extra support going to your family’s party or bring someone with you, someone you can trust. Choose people you know will be around if you need them and who you know will be supportive. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to reach out to them if you need to.
A sober buddy can go with you to take some of the fear out of adjusting to your lifestyle. Make sure you feel like you can trust and rely on this person. You don’t want them to accompany you for the wrong reasons.
Sober buddies know how to keep you on the recovery path because they’ve been where you are and know what to do in worst-case scenarios.
If you can’t find a friend to go with you to your family’s party and hanging around the alcohol is getting to you, hang around the younger crowd. Distract yourself from bad influences. Play duck-duck-goose with the kids, get in the pool or play hide-and-seek. Sometimes bringing out your inner child, laughing, having imagination, and smiling is the best cure for a trigger.
You Can Have Fun and Stay Sober
The holidays will be hard, but you need to enjoy life, make memories, and challenge yourself sober to stay serene. You don’t need drugs and alcohol to enjoy life. We are in recovery for a reason. Why throw it away for one silly day. You have worked so hard, don’t give up now.
Dance, talk, and party sober. Letting loose will allow you to truly enjoy your life for what it is, not what you want it to be. When you enjoy yourself, you will curb bad habits by creating new memories. The negative memories will start to fade as they are replaced with fun memories of sobriety. And if an old memory comes up, it is okay if you have a trigger, as long as you do something about it. Challenge yourself to identify what works and doesn’t work for you.
What to do if it gets Difficult
Triggers are just learning curves. It can only make you grow in your sobriety. Having and overcoming a trigger is nothing you should be ashamed about; celebrate your strength when you say no and mean it. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get the hang of this sober thing right away.
Remember to Have Fun
The development of learning new ways to have fun in recovery involves following simple steps. You generally begin by remembering why you got sober in the first place and remember to celebrate your recovery. It would help if you planned to make a 12-Step function part of your plan. By getting involved in activities and being around the same wavelength of recovering individuals, you can develop your circle of support.
Don’t forget the importance of allowing yourself to laugh – often. In the meantime, make sure that partying with friends and family is safe with realistic boundaries, so they have the potential to be healthy and have good fun for all involved.
Be aware that life is a gift, and it is short. You will learn other ways to have fun and maintain your recovery. Think of this as one more part of a thrilling voyage you are taking. And, hats off in advance on what you will acquire and derive from enjoying.
Related Educational Content and Guides
Combatting Relapse With Happiness
Staying Sober During the Holidays
Your Guide to Relapse Prevention
