Independence Day is just that: a day for you to be independent and celebrate the holiday in a way that works for you. Your sobriety is your top priority. Don’t worry about what others want or expect. You are in control of your sobriety. There are plenty of ways to have a sober celebration this Fourth of July or plan your own sober activities. Temptations can be strong, but you can be stronger. An alcohol addiction treatment center like Crossroads gives you the tools you need to maintain your sobriety after you’ve left treatment. You can manage holidays, and every day, with the right treatment and preparation. For more information about support staying sober, contact Crossroads today at 877.978.1667.

Holiday Pressure on Your Sobriety

Long summer holiday weekends are the perfect opportunity to get together with family and friends for weekend getaways, barbecues, fireworks, and more. Unfortunately, these holidays do not tend to be conducive to sober living. The temptation to drink can be powerful for those struggling with addiction. It’s hard to see everyone around you having fun and drinking freely. It is essential to prepare for situations where you could fall victim to cravings and find things you can do that don’t involve alcohol.

Staying away from large parties, bars, and get-togethers, in general, is a good choice. However, there are plenty of ways to avoid drinking on the holiday, such as:

Get outside and enjoy nature with a hike, a bike ride, a boat ride, or even bird watching
Distract yourself with a movie, play, sport, or even an arcade
Keep busy and do some good with a volunteer project like painting houses or planting a community garden
Hang out with other sober friends and supporters.
Attend a support meeting and get support from people who know what you’re going through

Check out what’s happening in your town or neighborhood too. You might be surprised at the number of healthy activities that your community organizations offer. Some people enjoy participating in fun runs, ways to honor and volunteer with our military, parades, and more.

Host Your Own Sober Celebration

Celebratory holiday events tend to revolve around alcohol. With a little planning, you can stay sober. Managing, avoiding, and overcoming holiday triggers will help make sure you can be part of all the fun. However, the most foolproof way to avoid having a drink on Independence Day is to eliminate the temptation by planning your own event. Invite other sober friends over for a barbecue and put the focus on fun, not alcohol. You’ll have control over the day and can eliminate the stress of worrying that you’ll drink while at someone else’s party. Please keep it simple, and don’t overthink it.

Expect the unexpected
Remember that the best-laid plans often go awry
Imperfect is the new perfect
Don’t dwell on the past and your old life, before sobriety

If you need extra support, please contact Crossroads today.

Contact Crossroads to Get Your Sobriety in Check

The alcohol addiction treatment center at Crossroads offers customized treatment plans to meet women’s unique needs. Prepare for your life after treatment and rehab through a combination of addiction treatment therapy, counseling, wellness services, holistic care, and ongoing support. Developing the skills and strategies to avoid relapse is the key to your long-term sobriety.