The reality is that New Year’s Eve has a long history of being saturated in substances. Many people use New Year’s Eve to go too far with alcohol, substances, and behaviors because they feel that this is a tradition. The reality is that this type of behavior is toxic. It also leaves many people in recovery asking how to have a sober New Year’s Eve. The good news is that there are many healthy ways to have a safe and sober New Year’s holiday (and you’ll feel a lot better the next morning, too).
How to Have a Sober New Year’s Eve
Having a sober New Year’s Eve should start with preparation. If you know that you are going to an event that is going to have a lot of alcohol and substances, you should first ask yourself if this is a healthy environment to be in. If you feel comfortable going, then the next question should be, “What do I need to do to stay safe and sober at this event?”
One of the best acts of preparation before going to an event that is going to have alcohol and substances is to have an “exit strategy.” This simply means having a reason to leave if you start to feel “triggered” or uncomfortable. It does not matter if it is true or not; just have one. Some examples may be, “I have to go, there is a family emergency,” or “I have to feed my dog,” or “I am not feeling great, I think I’d rather leave early.” You can also be more straightforward if that is more comfortable – “I’m feeling uncomfortable around all of this drinking, I’m going to leave.” People will understand.
One of the best ways to have a sober New Year’s Eve is to throw the New Year’s Eve party yourself. Throwing a sober event gets rid of the temptation of drinking and using because it eliminates the substances from being there in the first place. It is also a great time to build community and grow a healthy sober network.
Sober Alternatives
Many people who enter recovery end up asking the question, “I’m sober, now what?” The answer is that the world is your oyster. There is a saying in 12-Step recovery that goes, “We are not a glum lot.” This simply means that we did not get sober to be miserable. We got sober to live our lives to our fullest potential.
Many people find that they pick up old activities that they left behind in active addiction. For example, one may love playing music, but addiction gets in the way. That love of music is once again free to be on full display. Being sober also means helping others. This is actually one of the best ways to stay sober, too. Working with others helps us to forget our own problems for a while while we help someone else with their own (it is impossible to do both at the same time).
Also, working with others helps us to avoid becoming a relapse statistic, which is pretty daunting. According to the peer-reviewed journal, Current Psychiatry Reports, “It has long been known that addictive disorders are chronic and relapsing in nature. Recent estimates from clinical treatment studies suggest that more than two-thirds of individuals relapse within weeks to months of initiating treatment.” Also, “For 1-year outcomes across alcohol, nicotine, weight, and illicit drug abuse, studies show that more than 85% of individuals relapse and return to drug use within 1 year of treatment.”
Navigating a Sober New Year’s Eve
It is also important to remember that New Year’s Eve may not be the only triggering holiday for you. The good news is that the same techniques can help with staying sober over holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving, too.
Working the Twelve Steps of 12-Step recovery can also be very helpful when trying to navigate holidays sober. They can help you to step back, reflect, and breathe when you feel triggered at a New Year’s Eve event. These Twelve Steps work even better when utilized with a sponsor.
A sponsor can be a critical lifeline when trying to navigate holidays (including New Year’s Eve) sober. They can be there to take your call if you are struggling at a party and remind you of your goals and how far you have come in your recovery. A sponsor can even be a ride home if you need to leave an event ASAP.
Maintaining Sobriety With The Phoenix Recovery Center
Here at The Phoenix Recovery Center, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” This is how we can help you maintain your sobriety long into the future.
If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, then you are ready to recover. You can do this! We can help.
There are many practical tips and creative ideas to enjoy a fun, meaningful, and alcohol-free celebration as you ring in the New Year. These tips can also help you navigate other holidays and major events sober. It is also highly beneficial to stay connected to an aftercare program after initial treatment. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the right road to recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. To begin your healing journey complete this short form or call The Phoenix Recovery Center at (801) 438-3185.
