The holidays will be here before you know it, and you’re probably already preparing for the upcoming festivities. The good news is, this year, you’ll be sober for the holidays. Despite how you might be feeling, this IS good news. There are a lot of blessings for you to count this winter season when it comes to women’s sober living for the holidays. Here are four specific reasons to lift your glass of apple cider and say, “Cheers! I love being SOBER for the holidays!”
1. Sober Holidays in Recovery Can Enhance Your Social Life
You’ve been a good girl this year, and because you’re the kind of gal everyone wants to be around, you can expect invitations. Lots of them. Whether they come by mail, telephone, text, or your favorite social networking site, you can count on being invited to lots of sober get-togethers and jolly good times galore this year.
Your sponsor, sober sisters, and friends in addiction recovery are sure to request your attendance at various gatherings to make sure you stay safe during the holidays. Plus, since you’re in recovery, you’ve been attending 12-Step meetings. Self-help groups put on all kinds of sober events to help people maintain their sobriety during December. Examples of these groups include:
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Narcotics Anonymous
- Cocaine Anonymous
Check out local meetings happening around your city in case you need to go to one.
2. Sober Holidays in Recovery Leave You With Fewer Personal Regrets
In years gone by, many of us made a complete fool of ourselves at family gatherings because we drank too much alcohol or popped too many benzos. Some of us didn’t show up at family gatherings at all because we were too high to make an appearance. After the holidays passed, we felt tremendous guilt and apologized to all our family members for our behavior.
This year, because you are clean, you can show up to family events nicely dressed in a cheerful mood, ready to spend some quality time with family – without worrying that your behavior will spoil the evening. You won’t get sloshed and ruin dinner, and you won’t look back on any family photos with an overwhelming sense of shame. This is sure to earn you a spot on Santa’s “nice” list for years to come!
3. Sober Living for the Holidays Lets You Remember the Good Times
How many holiday events are a complete blur to you because you spent the entire time in a drug or alcohol-fueled holiday haze? Not this year! This holiday season, you can rest assured that you will be able to cherish the memories you create with your friends and family because you will be sober in addiction recovery. You will engage in meaningful conversations, experience true joy, and be able to laugh authentically. There is nothing quite like spending a holiday sober. It really is so much better than spending the occasion boozing it up.
4. Sober Living for the Holidays Helps You Use Your Money Wisely
Now that you’re not spending your money frivolously on your addiction to heroin, alcohol, or cocaine – or whatever your drug of choice was – you’ve got more money in your pocket. This will allow you to do nice things for your family and friends for the holidays. Maybe you’re planning to do such things as:
- Put on a nice meal
- Get your loved ones a few precious gifts
In years gone by, you may not have been able to do anything for anyone because you were caught up in your addiction. Or maybe you weren’t there at all. This year will be different. Of course, if you can’t afford to do anything for your friends and family this year, that’s okay too – it really is! Just seeing you clean and sober will be a joyous enough occasion for all your special peeps!
Learn More About Sober Holidays in Recovery at Women’s Recovery
The holidays are a stressful time for everyone – whether you’re sober or not. Don’t let the stress overshadow the joy of the season. Sip some hot cocoa, put your feet up by the roaring fire, nibble on some yummy cookies, and enjoy yourself and your loved ones. After all, it’s the most wonderful time of the year! We hope you have a safe and sober holiday season!
Should you find yourself or a loved one struggling this season, Women’s Recovery is here to provide support!
We Wish You A Merry Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa… And A Happy New Year!
