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A TWELVE STEP PLAN TO STAY SOBER DURING THE HOLIDAYS

12/1/2019

A TWELVE STEP PLAN TO STAY SOBER DURING THE HOLIDAYS
Staying sober during the holiday season can be difficult for those new to sobriety.
Family gatherings, work parties and friendly get togethers can feel like a white-knuckle ride on a bobsled instead of a festive social event.

Emotional triggers such as family dynamics, resentments, loss, loneliness, unreasonable expectations and guilt can be even more difficult to navigate than a party where there is drinking.

The holidays do not need to feel like a season of struggle. Whether you are in recovery or not, developing a holiday plan that focuses on self care, support, gratitude and finding new ways to have fun, will make staying sober and enjoying the holidays easier.

Plan each day during the holidays: In your plan be sure to spend time every day with someone who is supportive of your recovery.
Recruit Team Sober You: Let the people who know and love you know what you are doing to stay sober during the holidays. Tell them you have a plan and ask for their support.
Up your Meeting Attendance: Schedule one (or several) meetings EVERYDAY during the holidays. You will learn you are not so special and others share your holiday angst – you will be surprised how much you will laugh.
Volunteer: The best way to get out of our own way is to help others! Learn to be grateful for your recovery by helping someone who needs you! Whether working with another addict or alcoholic or helping to serve meals at a soup kitchen, somebody needs you.
Have a list of 10 people you can call: Connect with a minimum of 2 of the people on your list every day! You will find that others need you as much as you need them. Don’t do this alone! It is more fun to stay sober with like-minded friends.
Practice Forgiveness: No time like the holidays to give yourself the ultimate gift – freedom from resentments! Remember, a resentment is a pill you take and expect another person to die. By forgiving others and letting go of negative thoughts, you will be more open to having fun and positive experiences.
Practice Self Care: Schedule time every day in your holiday plan to meditate, exercise, take a walk or whatever you do to take care of yourself. This will not only help you stay sober, but self care will help you make meaningful connections with others.
Keep a gratitude list: In your plan jot down three things that you are grateful for, an attitude of gratitude will keep you sober.
Say NO: If you are asked by a friend to go to a former hang-out where everybody knows your name – just say no. Call up a member of Team You or more of the top ten in your phone and make new plans.
Create New Ways to Celebrate: Have a dessert party and adopt a charity. Ask friends to bring a favorite dessert and a gift to donate to your designated charity. Make sharing and giving your new holiday theme. Lead by example and show others the holidays don’t have to revolve around alcohol.
Instill New Traditions and Get Rid of Old Traditions that no longer work: Ice skating at night, a sleigh ride, board game night all create traditions that focus on experiences that are creative, fun and support positive relationships.
ENJOY SOBRIETY: Live one day at a time and stay in the moment. You have been given a gift where you are now able to be present and live up to your full potential for those you love and those who love you.

Everyone at Sacred Heart Rehabilitation wishes you a sober, safe and happy holiday season. Contact Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center at 888.802.7472 for questions or admissions.
Sources: www.aa.org, LM’s personal holiday experience as a recovering alcoholic; the experience, strength and hope and holiday coping skills as shared by other alcoholics with long term sobriety

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AWESOME IDEAS FOR A FUN AND SOBER NEW YEAR’S EVE

12/1/2019

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New Year’s Eve celebrates the end of this year, beginning of the next and the hope and promise that the new year brings. Many a NYE celebrations are focused around heavy drinking and drugging. If you are sober or concerned you may be an alcoholic or addict and need to be in a safe place, here are some ideas for staying safe and sober while ringing in the new year.

Take control of the situation: Host an activity or theme party. Let guests know the event is alcohol and drug free. By having a theme or activity party, drinking and/or drugs will not be the event’s focus. Guests will then be able to focus on fun, interaction and having a good time.

Throw an annual NYE dance party: On the invitation make every guest a guest DJ by asking them to bring specific music to the party. Example: Top 10 songs you listened to in high school; another guest could be assigned favorite Motown jams; another guest could be asked to make a shuffle of 10 one hit wonders; you get the idea!
Board game tournaments: Assign guests as opponents and on teams so that players have the opportunity to mix with new people; play old school board games tournament style; offer trophies and prizes. Intense competition, unbound enthusiasm and new friendships will abound!
Movie Marathon: Pick movies that are inspirational, motivational and funny! Positive and uplifting movies to set the tone for the new year. Also, make amazing popcorn and use tons of butter!

Maybe you are still battling alcohol and/or drug addiction and don’t even want to celebrate. Do you isolate in shame so that you can use without the judgment of others? Most battling addiction behave this way before seeking treatment. Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Learn more about treatment options at Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center call 888.802.7472 or 810.392.2167. Residential Admissions: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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NYE STAY SOBER CHEAT SHEET

12/1/2019

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Despite good intentions, resolutions to never drink again, and a solid track record of uninterrupted sobriety, New Year’s Eve can be a white-knuckle event for those who want to stay sober and those who want to get sober.

Here is a simple cheat sheet that can help keep you sober and ensure 2019 won’t be greeted with a super sized hangover served with a large order of bad behavior.

New Year Eve is just a night. That’s it. Keep it in perspective NYE is just a night. It is not a day pass to get loaded.
Have a plan. If you are going to a party, have an exit strategy: can’t stay long have another party, have to wake up early the next day to let your neighbor’s dog out, etc. Be creative!
Stay supported. Go out with a sober friend if you have to go out. Have ten people who support your sobriety on hand and call them or text them – don’t wait until it’s too late!
Choose an activity where drinking is not the focus. Go ice skating, ski, board games, bowling are creative and get people out of their comfort zone which can be fun!! AA hosts Alcathons – 24 hour meetings everywhere. These meetings are actually really fun and it is an awesome place to meet new sober friends. www.aa-semi.org
Make a list. List all the good things that have happened to you in sobriety. If you are not sober yet, list the things not working in you life and how not drinking could change the situation. Relationships? School? Work? Legal System? Family? Job? Keep this list on you when you are out and look at it when you need to.
Just say NO. Saying no might be hard at first, but it gets easier. If you are new to sobriety, have some phrases ready – I’m doing a cleanse, I’m taking antibiotics, etc. The longer you are sober, you will come to realize is that most people don’t care or notice if you drink. You will find that the only people who repeatedly question you are people who most likely have a problem.
Don’t go to parties or bars if you are uncomfortable. Know what places are not safe for you. Don’t put yourself in difficult positions – you won’t get extra points! Make plans with sober friends and family! Enjoy NYE knowing you won’t be nauseated or embarrassed New Years Day!
Remember, you only need to do one thing perfect to stay sober today: DON’T DRINK!!!

If this is your year to get sober and be free of addiction, contact Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center at 888.802.7472 for questions, or admissions.

Sources: LM’s experience, wisdom and tools of alcoholics and addicts new to sobriety and those with long term uninterrupted sobriety. Thank you to CG, LH, MC, KR, DR, MA, MF.

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A TWELVE STEP PLAN TO STAY SOBER DURING THE HOLIDAYS

AWESOME IDEAS FOR A FUN AND SOBER NEW YEAR’S EVE

NYE STAY SOBER CHEAT SHEET

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