The holidays are a time of joy for many people, but they also bring challenges. Dealing with family members can be a struggle. Being back in one’s hometown might bring up unpleasant memories. Alcohol consumption increases during the Christmas season, so of course, there’s likely to be a lot of booze flowing. For people trying to abstain from or quit alcohol, this can add up to a recipe for disaster.
But have no fear! A sober Christmas is possible. Whether you’ve stopped drinking entirely or you’re just sober curious, and whether you’re preparing for family gatherings or an office Christmas party, here are 10 ways to stay off the sauce during this festive season.
1. Have Soft Drinks On Hand
Your office Christmas party is likely to have a full supply of beer, wine, and spirits. Social gatherings often involve drinking, which can lead to peer pressure. But you’d be surprised how often the people planning the party forget about non-drinkers. Bring your own soft drinks to any function where others are likely to be partying. Alcohol-free options, like non-alcoholic bubbly, are widely available for those celebrating sober. Having something in your hand to sip on can quell the urge to drink alcohol, and will also deter other people from offering you a drink. Sparkling water is another great non-alcoholic option.
2. Make Plans For The Morning
Not drinking shouldn’t automatically be a topic of conversation. But unfortunately, many people lack personal boundaries and may want to inquire about someone else’s drinking. How you respond might depend on whether you’re comfortable explaining why you want to stop drinking. Family festivities or a holiday party may not be the appropriate place to delve into all of your reasons. You may be in for a stressful time if you broach more serious topics like alcoholism or health problems in conversation with someone who is drunk. Whatever your plan is, just be prepared, as it’s likely you’ll be offered a drink at some point. One great excuse is that you have plans in the morning and need to avoid a hangover. You won’t have to delve into the real reasons you’re not drinking and can skirt around the subject entirely.
3. Prioritize Self Care
The holidays can come with a sense of obligation. Drinking to cope with stress can lead to increased feelings of guilt and shame afterward. Many people drink to forget their worries or to find comfort during stressful times. Alcohol can initially act as a stress reliever but often creates more stress over time. Christmas is a holiday built around giving, after all. But if your goal is to stay sober, you also need to build in time for yourself. It’s best not to drastically alter the routine you follow in life outside of the holiday season. The things that you do to feel good and deal with anxiety ought to be helpful when dealing with families, parties, and spending time with people you don’t often see. Whether it’s exercise, sleep, or just alone time, schedule in a few hours every day to engage in self care activities, even on Christmas Day. You’re less likely to focus on negative feelings if you still have a sense of routine and normalcy.
4. Have An Escape Plan
If you grew up in an alcoholic home, you may be triggered by seeing your family members drunk. Many children in alcoholic households may blame themselves for their parent’s drinking. If you’re new to not drinking, seeing anyone with a glass of whisky or wine might make it harder to be sober. Have an exit strategy prepared if you start to feel like drinking. A prepared excuse to leave or a “hard out” time that you tell people about from the beginning can save you from being in a risky situation where drinking seems like a good idea. When the part of the night arrives where the rest of the party is beginning to drink heavily, you can tap your watch and head for the door before the temptation to drink takes over.
5. Bring a Sober Buddy
Having a sober buddy is another great way to make your first alcohol-free Christmas a success. A sober buddy is a person who will also be abstaining from booze and can help you if you start to feel tempted. The more people you have around who share your sobriety, the less likely you are to slip up. If you have a family member who is in sobriety, you might let them know in advance that you’re not drinking. Or you could bring a friend from your support network who can talk you through tough situations. The first step toward long term sobriety is admitting that you have a problem. Having someone present who can help you focus on your reasons for drinking, or just sit with you by the fire to discuss life, is one thing that will increase your chances of staying sober through this festive period.
5. Use Your Health As An Excuse to Say No To A Drink
Another way to dodge an uncomfortable topic is to tell people who offer you a drink that you’re doing a new exercise plan or diet that discourages drinking. The negative effects of alcohol are widely known, so saying that you’re not drinking for your health is a logical way to explain your teetotaling. As noted above, if your friends are drinking, they may be offended by the suggestion that it’s a bad idea. So keep the focus on yourself. You might say that you’re pacing yourself for the party season.
6. Remember the Reason for the Festive Season
With our culture’s emphasis on alcohol, a sober Christmas may seem like a crazy concept. But you should remind yourself that drinking is not an essential part of the holidays. Sober individuals often feel a greater sense of clarity and engagement during gatherings. Togetherness with family and friends is the most important part of this festive season, and without being intoxicated, you’ll be more present (no pun intended). If you’re a religious person, you might review the origin of the holiday you’re celebrating. Think about your relationship with your higher power and how you can move past your temptation to drink and reengage with all the things that make the season meaningful.
7. Find a Way to Be Useful
For a lot of people, drinking is a way to fill time and stay occupied in social situations. Having a beer or a glass of wine with friends seems like a way to celebrate life and toast a memorable night. But on the flip side, it can cause a horrible hangover and make the next day a bad time. Finding something else to keep you busy is a great way to curb the urge to drink. Parties often have a lot of moving parts. You can help your family prepare food, look after children, or decorate for the festive season. Your first sober Christmas is an opportunity to look for ways to be of use to the people around you.
8. Consider the Money You’re Saving
Alcohol is pricey. The media promotes alcohol consumption as a part of joyous celebrations. The cost of the drinks you drank in the past could add up to a substantial sum. Many problem drinkers who also have problematic finances have realised that cutting alcohol out of their lives went a long way toward solving their financial woes as well. If you drink less (or not at all) during this festive season, you’ll have more money to put toward gifts for friends and family members, personal projects, and all the unexpected expenses of life. Every drink of alcohol could be a stocking stuffer for a loved one, or a contribution to a savings account for a vacation next Christmas.
9. Focus On Your Reasons for Having A Sober Holiday
If you’ve made the decision to be sober on Christmas day, you must have your reasons. But as the Big Book of AA notes, alcohol is cunning, baffling, and powerful. Reasons to drink may sneak up on you as Christmas approaches. Throughout the week, ask yourself: Is the “real me” going to be better or worse if I drink? Many people have woken up with a hangover, realised that their relationship with alcohol is a negative part of their life, and still gone on to drink again. It’s important to keep your reasons for sobriety fresh in your mind. It may help to talk with other sober people, attend 12-step meetings, and read literature about sobriety. Our shared experience of addiction gives us experience, strength, and hope to share with others.
10. Avoid Places That Trigger You
It is common to experience FOMO (fear of missing alcohol) during the holiday season. While socializing with friends and family is important, if sobriety is your priority, you ought to think twice about attending events at pubs or other places where alcohol is the main event. Cultural and familial traditions can normalize heavy drinking during Christmas. Venues like restaurants that emphasize food over drinks are less likely to trigger someone struggling, but they are still a risk. Depending on how recently you stopped drinking, and how stable you are in your sobriety, you should consider skipping Christmas events that take place in environments that make you want to consume alcohol.
Turning Point of Tampa
Turning Point of Tampa is a residential treatment center for substance abuse and eating disorders. If you are struggling to control your alcohol or drug use, their programs may be beneficial to you. Every patient at Turning Point is given an individual case plan and assigned a therapist for one-on-one sessions to address the root of their compulsion to use. Patients are guided through group therapeutic interventions, educated about the illness of addiction, and given the opportunity to attend 12 step meetings in the community. If you or someone you love is in the grips of addiction, don’t hesitate to reach out to Turning Point of Tampa.
FAQ:
Will not drinking affect my relationship with coworkers?
In many professions, people bond over drinking. You may feel anxious about opting out of alcohol. This is why having a prepared excuse, like an early morning, is so helpful. If your coworkers do pressure you to drink, step away and call a sober friend. Alcohol makes people easily distracted, and chances are they’ll have forgotten about you when you return.
Can I enjoy Christmas without alcohol?
You can absolutely enjoy this festive season without drinking. As noted above, finding ways to be helpful and useful is a great way to build your self-worth and keep you occupied so the urge to drink alcohol doesn’t become overwhelming.
Where can I celebrate an alcohol-free Christmas?
Many AA clubhouses have Christmas Day gatherings to share food and coffee and discuss sobriety. It will be easier to stay away from alcohol if you surround yourself with sober people this Christmas.
Should I tell everyone I’m doing a sober Christmas?
If you are committed to not drinking during Christmas, you might want to make a verbal commitment to the people you’ll be spending time with. That way they can hold you accountable if you are headed for a slip up. On the flip side, if you think that not drinking could lead to scrutiny or anger from friends or family with poor personal boundaries, it may be better to keep quiet about what you’re doing.
Where can I find a sober buddy?
If you don’t know anyone who is sober, a 12 step meeting is a great place to find people who are enthusiastic about sobriety. Approach people at the meeting who have long-term sobriety and get to know them. You may even find a sponsor (someone to take you through the 12 steps).
Will people notice that I’m not drinking?
Depending on how heavy the emphasis on alcohol is at the gathering you’re attending, people may or may not notice that you’re not drinking. One way to avoid the subject is to have a non-alcoholic drink with some kind of garnish, like a lemon or lime. People often assume these drinks are alcoholic and will not pick up on the fact that you’re staying sober.
What should I do if I can’t stop drinking?
If you attempt a sober Christmas and can’t manage to avoid alcohol, don’t give up on yourself. You may be dependent on alcohol and require treatment to overcome this problem. Reach out to a treatment center like Turning Point of Tampa and seek out an evaluation.
