Celebrating Life Drug and Alcohol -Free

Celebrating Life

DRUG AND ALCOHOL-FREE

by Scott Althouse, Executive Director of Easy Does It, Inc. (EDI)

Iam a person in long-term recovery, free from the grips of drug and alcohol addiction since 2011. Alcohol used to be my daily companion, accompanying me to every family gathering, holiday, restaurant, sporting event, and other social activities. This addiction eventually consumed me to the point of rock bottom. After repeated efforts to get sober, a higher power intervened in my life and removed the obsession to drink. With the loving support of my family, sponsor, and circle of friends, my journey in recovery has been through the 12 steps. I have learned to love myself and once again enjoy life – drug and alcohol free. Having worked with hundreds of individuals in early recovery, the following are some of the common challenges and suggestions to navigate the holidays and a year of firsts, drug and alcohol-free.

Our culture has tied in alcohol use with all types of celebrations from birthdays to holidays to sporting events. In the midst of football season and the holidays, it’s impossible to avoid the constant barrage of alcohol advertising that bombards our homes and devices. Alcohol manufacturers are masters of illusion with their glamourous portrayal of seemingly perfect people enjoying their perfect lives all while drinking alcohol with impunity. But obviously it is not only in the media where we encounter the glorification of alcohol. Alcohol consumption is deeply embedded in our culture, especially with sporting events, holidays, and other celebrations. Unless you have sat in section 217 at Lincoln Financial Field, it’s nearly impossible to attend an Eagles game without having to pass a beer to another fan. And when’s the last time you attended a holiday party or ate at a restaurant that didn’t serve alcohol?

Persons in recovery are not immune from the cultural norms that glamorize alcohol use.

While it’s certainly true that many people consume and enjoy alcohol responsibly, for persons in recovery it can be challenging to not get resentful, be tempted, or have a fear of missing out. The irony is that quite a few of us were never social drinkers to begin with and our own experience is far from the norm. We call this acceptance; it’s a process that takes time.

There is a prevalent suggestion that persons in the early recovery journey should avoid people, places, and things that were connected with their drinking. For some people who are very early in their recovery or still struggling with an obsession to drink, it is vitally important to seek out alcohol-free options, especially over the holidays. Increasing attendance at 12-step meetings or other mutual aid groups, attending alcothons, speaker jams, and sober dance parties are great ways to surround yourself with like-minded people who can share their experience, strength, and hope. Church events and sober family functions can also be good options.

Similar to the experience of losing a loved one, when a person stops drinking alcohol there is a full year (or longer) of firsts: first concert, first football game, first Thanksgiving, first New Year’s Eve, first birthday party, first date, first new job, the first fill in the blank. In a year of firsts, we are vulnerable. While each of these events can be viewed as a temptation or a trigger, they can also be viewed as an opportunity to grow in our acceptance and grow in our recovery. I have learned through my own experience that it is critical to have a game plan of strategies to navigate these firsts successfully without drinking or getting resentful. Here are some tips that I found useful. Talk with a sponsor, friend, or member in your support group about the event or celebration you are planning to attend. Think it through and examine your purpose and motivation for attending. Go with a supportive friend. Say a prayer. Have an exit strategy and be willing to leave early. Do not isolate or avoid conversation, but rather look for opportunities to engage and contribute to the event or celebration.

Easy Does It, Inc. (EDI) values the importance of having fun in recovery and celebrating the freedom that a drug and alcohol-free life brings to individuals. As a recovery community organization (RCO), EDI has a rich history of hosting drug and alcohol-free events for the 50 residents in our recovery housing program and for the recovery community of Berks County. Through holiday dances and parties, to Soberstock, to our New Year’s Eve Gala, and a Super Bowl party, we provide opportunities to have fun in recovery and be happy, joyous, and free.

As we grow in our recovery and our acceptance, many of us find ourselves in a position of neutrality when it comes to alcohol and social drinking at sporting events, family gatherings over the holidays, and other celebrations. We are neither tempted nor resentful, we know that drinking alcohol is simply not an option for us and we let others make their own choices.

IN RECOVERY? – 10 WAYS TO CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITHOUT ALCOHOL - LUMINOUS COUNSELING

If you’re in recovery, here are ten ways to celebrate the holidays without alcohol.

1. GET OUTSIDE!

First, why not get outside for the holidays. You don’t have to be a nature-buff and go camping for a week in the mountains (but that’s not a bad idea!). Instead, get together with some friends to go ice skating or hit a few rounds of golf. And of course, if you live in an area that gets snow, there’s always going cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.

2. COOK A MEAL AT HOME

Closer to home, why not spend an evening cooking your favorite meal? Invite a friend over to share. Preparing food and sharing with others is certainly another part of the holiday season that sometimes gets overlooked when you’re focused on alcohol.

3. HOST A HEALTH-THEMED POT-LUCK DINNER

Speaking of food, you could invite friends and family to a health-themed pot-luck dinner. The idea is that instead of everyone bringing the tired old staples of pot-lucks (chips, casseroles, alcohol), you bring healthy alternatives. For instance, dishes made from clean and organic ingredients.

4. EXERCISE!

Working out is healthy and it helps to keep your mind from thinking about the holidays… and the drinking. Plus, it helps to get in a few workouts at the gym to fend off the extra calories from all the food you’re eating. If you already belong to a gym, check to see if they will have a special holiday workout planned.

5. RUN A 5K

Okay, maybe running isn’t your thing. That’s alright. But in the interest of trying new things for the holidays, why not sign up for a 5K race? It could be a different way to get out, enjoy the fresh air, get some exercise (see above), and meet new people.

6. VOLUNTEER

Of course, there are people who are in need all year long. However, the holidays can be particularly hard. Consider volunteering with a nonprofit or charity in your area that connects with your values. Whether it’s helping the homeless, working at a kitchen that serves hot meals, or even building trails—it’s your choice.

7. ATTEND A HOLIDAY PERFORMANCE

Ever thought about attending the theater or seeing a concert during the holidays? Whether it’s a holiday classic like The Nutcracker or seeing your favorite band that happens to be in town, there are plenty of options available. Why not look for one that interests you?

8. CONNECT WITH YOUR SPONSOR

If you have a sobriety sponsor as part of a recovery program, make sure to connect with them. Of course, this doesn’t mean connection just when you are in crisis. Why not get together for coffee and just chat? It helps to know that someone out there understands what it means to stay sober during the holidays.

9. THROW AN ALCOHOL-FREE HOLIDAY PARTY

One of the best ways to own your sobriety is to be open and frank about it. So, why not host an alcohol-free party yourself? It might be hard putting yourself out there, letting everyone in your social group know that you want to celebrate sober. However, you might be surprised by how willing people can be to not just support you but also attend an event that doesn’t have alcohol.

10. START A NEW TRADITION

This could be something that you do yourself or with family and friends. Why not make this year the start of a new tradition that embraces and celebrates not just the holidays but your sobriety too?