3 Techniques for Staying Sober for New Year’s Eve

The year-end holiday season means many celebrations with family and friends. These jubilant times often involve good food, fun conversations, playing games, and giving gifts. Additionally, the holidays, including New Year’s Eve, also mean that alcohol is abundantly available and consumed in excess. Staying sober for New Year’s Eve can be a challenge, but it is possible. With Massachusetts alcohol rehabilitation, Boston residents can learn the techniques needed to stay sober this year. To get professional assistance, contact Greater Boston Addiction Center online or call 877.920.6583 today to learn how our alcohol addiction treatment can help.

The Holiday Season and Your Recovery

The holiday season is a time to relax, reconnect, and spend time with friends and family. New Year’s Eve is a time to say goodbye to the past and embrace a new, hopeful future. Many adults will have a glass of champagne in one hand as they ring in the new year, but the holidays can be stressful for those recovering from addiction. The goal of recovery does not change just because the holidays arrive. The holiday season is packed with harmful triggers that can easily lead to a relapse, but help is available to ensure you maintain your life of sobriety. Our Massachusetts alcohol rehabilitation center can help you not only get sober but teach you the life skills and coping mechanisms to stay sober over New Year’s Eve and all year long.

If sober living in Boston, MA, during New Year’s Eve will be a new experience for you, you may be able to benefit from professional alcohol rehab in Boston. Remember that this time of year is about gratitude, reconnection, togetherness, and giving thanks for all that you have in your life. It is also dedicated to new beginnings and turning over a new leaf to look toward a brighter tomorrow. Your recovery and newfound sobriety are among the things you can feel thankful for during the holidays. You have changed for the better, but it may take more time to heal the relationships with friends and family that you damaged in the past. Here are three techniques for staying sober as you enjoy New Year’s Eve with your family and friends.

3 Techniques for Staying Sober for New Year’s Eve

1. Avoid High-Risk Situations

This is easier said than done on New Year’s Eve, but you must understand and respect your individual triggers. To experience a sober New Year’s Eve, you may need to:

• Stay away from old friends who are still drinking to excess or using drugs
• Recognize and steer clear of members of your family who are toxic
• Develop an exit strategy if the environment becomes dangerous to your sobriety
• Talk to members of your support network every day during the holidays
• Attend a group meeting to help with your alcohol rehab in Boston

If the situation inside during New Year’s Eve becomes too stressful, you need to take a time out and escape safely. This is okay and is key to staying sober. You may need to:

• Go for a walk outside
• Remind yourself of why you quit drinking
• Enjoy some fresh air
• Think about what you have planned for the new year

2. Surround Yourself With Supportive People

One of the best techniques to help you stay sober during New Year’s Eve is bringing a clean and sober friend to the celebrations. Having a friend who has successfully gone through a similar situation will give you someone with whom you can share your thoughts and feelings as you are experiencing them. Having a supportive, sober person by your side can help to relieve any stress you might feel while trying to stay sober for New Year’s Eve.

3. Make Yourself Useful

Idle hands are never good, so consider helping out and making yourself useful over the New Year’s Eve celebrations you attend this year. Ask the host of any party you are at if you can help with doing dishes, sweeping floors, or any other tasks to keep busy. Additionally, because of your past addiction, you may not have been present and helpful in prior holiday gatherings; being a valuable and productive participant this year may begin to heal old wounds. Instead of simply talking about how much you have changed, you can demonstrate your growth as a person, show gratitude to the host for having the New Year’s Eve party in their home, make amends, and keep yourself busy and sober all at the same time.

Learn More at Greater Boston Addiction Centers

You have received treatment, gone through rehab, and are sober now. And next year is going to be even better! Celebrate your journey of recovery and continue enjoying sober living in Boston, MA. Learn more about how you can stay sober during high-stress situations like New Year’s Eve. Contact Greater Boston Addiction Centers today using our secure online form or call us at 877.920.6583.