7 Tips for Staying Sober over the Holidays

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Don't Have a New Year's Eve Relapse! 7 Tips for Staying Sober over the Holidays

Don't Have a New Year's Eve Relapse! 7 Tips for Staying Sober over the Holidays

The holidays can be tough for the newly clean and sober, and New Year's Eve is probably the toughest day of them all. It's a day when it can be very hard to avoid temptations to use or drink again.
But although it's a day rich in temptation, it's also a trigger to use or drink that you KNOW is coming, and so although you know it's going to be a tough day it's a day you can get prepared for.
Here are a few informal ideas to help get you thinking about staying clean and sober over the New Years holiday period.

7 Tips for Staying Sober on New Year's Eve

In no particular order
1. Don't Stay at Home Alone
Make a plan to do something. Don't think that you'll avoid temptation by just sitting alone at home – make a plan to stay busy and involved on New Year's Eve night. Stewing at home while everyone else has fun is not a recipe for success.

2. Spend Time with Sober Friends and Family
Surround yourself with others that strive to stay clean and sober or those who support your sobriety. New Year's Eve is definitely a day for sharing in the support and strength of a group.

3. Don't Go to a Bar or a Party!
This one may be a no-brainer…but over confidence is the downfall of too many attempts at getting and staying clean. It's probably not a good idea to think that you can go to the party and just "not drink" if everyone else is. Why put yourself at that kind of risk? And would it be fun anyway to be surrounded by people getting drunk or high all night?

4. Take Care of Yourself!
This one should never get restricted to holidays only, but since you're at extra risk of relapse during this period, you have to ensure that you stay healthy, rested, well fed and strong during these temptation filled days. Sleep well, eat well, exercise well and feel great. You will be stronger for it.

5. Have Fun!
You quit drinking or using drugs because you wanted a better life – and a life without fun isn't much of a life. New Years Eve should be fun, so make sure you make a plan to get out there and have some! Eat a great meal, go to the movies, go star-gazing, spend time with the kids…whatever brings you happiness.

6. Make a Full Plan for New Year's Day
Wake up feeling great on New Year's Day. Most people may suffer a sickly New Years morning, but you'll be ready for fun. Make sure you have a full day of enjoyment planned to keep you motivated on getting to bed the night before!

7. Write Out a List of Why You Quit in the First Place
Spend a few minutes to write out an honest list of the reasons why you quit in the first place. Then, if temptation starts to get to you, refer to your list and remember why you can’t have just one drink or hit or toke.

Have fun and Happy Holidays!
http://hubpages.com/hub/Staying-Sober-over-the-Holidays