3 Suggestions for people in Recovery on New Years Eve

by | Dec 31, 2020 | Tips

3 Suggestions to Help Anyone in Recovery Stay on Track Through New Years 

 

As the year comes to a close, many of us are either planning or have already planned our New Year’s eve festivities. While alcohol is commonplace at most new years eve events, it is certainly not a requirement. If you are a person who is concerned about their drinking or already in recovery we recommend you do not partake. New Years Eve and New Years Day are about much more than that. It is the end of one chapter and the beginning of the next chapter. In this article we will discuss strategies for people in recovery to stay sober through new years.

1) Avoid  People, Places, and Things

One of the core tenets of recovery and sobriety is to avoid people, places, and things, especially in your early recovery. What does people, places, and things mean? The concept is very simple; essentially it is advisable to avoid people, places, or things that you drank or drugged with or at. The reason is these things can be very strong triggers in recovery especially to people early in their recovery. This risk is magnified on a holiday like New Years where the relapse risk is exceptionally high. Better safe than sorry!

2) Party With the Sober Crowd

So, you have decided to avoid people, places, and things for New Years. Great choice! Now what are you supposed to do? We recommend “partying” with other sober and like minded individuals. While this may not sound like the exciting New Years Eve you had in mind these events can be surprisingly festive. AA (alcoholics anonymous) and NA (narcotics anonymous) both typically host sober holiday events. Check out their respective websites to see what is going on in your area by clicking on the links below. 

https://www.aa.org/

https://na.org/

3) Take it One Hour at a Time

Have you heard the expression “Take it one day at a time”? While this did not originate in the recovery community, it is certainly a popular slogan in recovery programs and groups. What does it really mean? It can be applied to any struggle or hardship but is typically used for people in early recovery who are struggling not to drink or use drugs. The idea of not using or drinking for the rest of their life seems impossible. Not drinking for a day at a time is much more manageable. In times of high stress or high risk of relapse this can be broken down further into taking it one hour at a time. If you find yourself wanting to drink or use drugs on New Years Eve, taking it one hour at a time may be your saving grace. Instead of trying not to drink or use for the whole night you can tell yourself “I will not drink or use for at least the next hour”. You will repeat this each hour until you return home and go to bed. If it sounds extremely simple, that is because it is. It is not always easy but the concept is simple and anyone can use it.

Six Resolution Ideas to set For the New Year

Here are some of our top resolutions for getting sober or staying sober in the new year:

 

  1. I will go to treatment for my alcoholism or addiction
  2. I will attend at least 5 recovery meetings per week
  3. I will allot at least 30 minutes a day for self care in some form
  4. I will learn a new sober hobby
  5. I will celebrate my successes and not be critical of my shortcomings
  6. I will exercise at least 3 times per week

Three Inspirational quotes to kick off the new year

When starting a new chapter or a new year, having a positive mindset is extremely important. Your mindset sets the tone for what is to come. As the old saying goes “ Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” Here are our top three inspirational quotes for getting the new year kicked off on the right foot:

 

  • “ The best is yet to come.” – Frank Sinatra
  • “ It is never too late to be what you might have been.” – George Eliot
  • “ Life is not about expecting, hoping, and wishing, it’s about doing, being and becoming.” – Mike Dooley

 

For more recovery quotes, sobriety quotes, or just plain old inspirational quotes, please see our article on the best quotes for people in recovery by clicking below.

Recovery Quotes Blog

We hope this article was helpful in guiding you through the new year sober. If you remember to do these three things you will be well on your way:

  • Avoid people, places and things
  • Party with the sober crowd
  • Take it one hour at a time if need be

 

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse in any form, we are here to help! We are available 24/7/365 at 855-698-3554 or by clicking here.

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