Alcoholism and the holidays: How to avoid binge drinking, stay sober

However, perhaps now you’re trying to live sober, and it’s your first holiday season without alcohol. Plan your responses to nosy inquiries, decide your order in advance, and set a departure time. Empower yourself to navigate challenges with ease and enjoy a holiday season free from unnecessary stress. The holiday season can also be a time to focus on self-care and wellness, which can serve as a fortifying alternative to alcohol consumption. Alcohol isn’t a magic drink that suddenly transforms Christmas into something fun.

Tips for Throwing a Sober Christmas Party

Now, let’s explore a delightful array of non-alcoholic Christmas drink recipes that will elevate your festive gatherings. The holiday season, though magical, can often be a challenging time, filled with triggers and temptations. From reframing holidays in early recovery traditional stressors to overwhelming situations, family conflicts, and a yearning for escapism, alcohol often finds its way into our celebrations. This year, you can rise above the challenge by being prepared with a lineup of non-alcoholic Christmas drink recipes from around the world.

Host an Alcohol-Free Holiday Party

• Accompany your Booze-Free Bombardino with freshly baked Italian biscotti or a plate of cannoli.
• Avoiding triggers and staying sober during the holidays can be a tricky part of recovery.
• Steer clear of powdered mixes this season and instead opt for this warm, spiced beverage made with a mixture of apple juice, orange juice, emmon juice, cinnamon, brown sugar, cloves, allspice, and orange.
• It removes the psychological dependence so that you will not crave alcohol, allowing you to easily drink less (or stop drinking).

“I can either ask my family not to drink and see if they would honor that or I can choose to go somewhere with other people that are trying not to drink,” he said. Britton said one-sixth of the population binge drinks and about 25% of binge drinkers do it weekly. George Koob, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, recommends people familiarize themselves with standard drinks. I used to be that person, the one that tried to keep up with everyone else, that wanted to keep partying, wanted attention and mostly wanted everyone else to be as wasted as me so I didn’t feel so bad. I just told myself that I could go outside for one minute any time I needed to.

• The holidays are a special time, but they can also be hectic and draining.
• Break free from vague resolutions with clear, tangible boundaries.
• Focus on the things within your grasp and appreciate them fully—even if they aren’t exactly what you imagined or hoped for.

How To Say No, For The People Pleaser Who Always Says Yes

Let your guests know that your party is a safe and supportive space. Encourage open conversations and offer resources for those interested in sobriety. You can find many great mocktail recipes online for inspiration. Prepare for holiday gatherings by thinking through potential challenges and triggers. And for those struggling with drinking, experts say there are virtual communities, secular groups and groups within churches to check out for support.

Swap the traditional for the extraordinary by dedicating an evening to crafting enticing mocktails that will tantalize your taste buds and elevate your festive spirit. One Christmas, my son came over to me and I asked him to sit on my lap and he said, ‘No Mom, you smell bad and your teeth are purple’. I didn’t hit the proverbial rock bottom but when I think of tragic moments, that was certainly one of them. Rebecca Bartlett (RSW/MSW) is a Registered Social Worker in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario. Rebecca has worked in a variety of Social Work settings throughout her career, including child and youth care, family support, crisis intervention, and substance use care.

• If you choose to have another drink, observe whether the same level of euphoria is achieved or if its effects are diminished compared to the initial experience.
• If you need someone to talk to or lean on, they will be the ones you can turn to.
• Located in Central Ohio, our comprehensive addiction treatment facility offers several levels of care to fit the needs of each individual.
• As Christmas draws near, embrace a practice of reflection and gratitude.

They all knew that I couldn’t drink and everyone was supportive and attentive. If I was a guest at someone’s house they made sure that I had an interesting alcohol-free drink in my glass so I wouldn’t feel left out. I also often took my own AF drink with me because I was comfortable not being questioned about why I wasn’t drinking. And if I got a bit tired or bored as the late-night discussion got slurrier, I was never questioned when I turned in or went home early.