Thanksgiving is a time for eating with and being with the people you love. However, if you don’t drink or use drugs because you’re in recovery for addiction, this holiday poses a real challenge. Alcohol can play a significant role in many Thanksgiving celebrations in our country. As a result, navigating the holiday without alcohol can feel challenging, particularly if it is your first year without addiction. Fortunately, with a bit of preparation, a sober Thanksgiving is possible. To learn more about how to make this possibility a reality, reach out to Crossroads Maine today at 877.978.1667.
How to Have a Sober Thanksgiving
While having a sober Thanksgiving may seem like a challenge, it is possible. However, preparing for this challenge is a critical part of success. There is a range of things that you can do this year to ensure that you maintain your drug and alcohol-free lifestyle.
Practice Self-Care
Connecting with your family during the holidays is a wonderful opportunity. However, it can quickly turn into ignoring your own needs, overextending yourself, and over-promising. If you are emotionally or physically exhausted, it may be more challenging to stay sober when you’re around drugs or alcohol.
As a result, practicing self-care is vital, giving you the best chance at long-term sobriety. You should make sure that you’re getting enough sleep and eating properly to ensure that you’re feeling your best. In addition, you should try to exercise regularly.
Have Scripts Ready
If this is your first year sober, you may be dreading conversations with your family about your recovery. However, if you want to be successful in these conversations, you should rehearse your answers beforehand. You may want to say that you don’t drink for health reasons. Furthermore, you may want to change the subject or deflect the question. You may also want to enlist a friend or loved one to help you if the questions get too personal.
Talk to Your Host
It’s vital to talk to your host about your needs before the big day. They may plan to cover certain dishes with alcoholic glazes or to have alcohol available for guests. Alternatively, they may not have considered the need for non-alcoholic options. If they’re not willing to have a non-alcoholic drink option, bring one with you. You may want to bring seltzer water or soda so that you don’t feel that you’re left out when other people are drinking.
Host Your Own Celebration
In some situations, you may not be able to convince your loved ones to respect your need to stay sober this Thanksgiving. Therefore, it may be worth hosting a sober Thanksgiving event of your own. Then, the absence of alcohol won’t be so much at the forefront of the event. You can open your kitchen, allowing cooking to be a part of the event. Then, your friends and family members will have an opportunity to come together to do something that doesn’t involve drugs or alcohol. If you choose this option, it’s critical to remember to tell your guests that there will be no alcohol at this celebration and ask them not to bring their own.
Contact Crossroads Maine Today
At Crossroads Maine, we know that it can be challenging to maintain your sobriety during this time. Therefore, if you need support, we can help. We offer a range of therapeutic options to assist you, including:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Group therapy
- Individual therapy
- Family therapy
For more information about our treatment options, or if you have questions about hosting a sober Thanksgiving, please contact Crossroads Maine today by calling 877.978.1667 or using our helpful online form.
