The holidays can be challenging times to maintain sobriety. With Independence Day on the horizon and pandemic restrictions beginning to lift, the upcoming holiday will pose a unique temptation many people haven’t had to face in over a year. Therefore, it is crucial for those struggling with a alcohol abuse disorder to keep in mind strategies to be fully prepared to combat any temptations that could derail their progress. At Baltimore Detox Center, our drug and alcohol detox center can be a source of support and strategies for maintaining sobriety during the Fourth of July.
Maintaining Sobriety Over the July 4th Holiday
The Fourth of July is a time for family, fun, and celebration, but it can pose a danger for relapse for those working to overcome addiction. The summer celebration of July 4th is a chance to relax and enjoy the company of those around you. Still, the reality is that the risk of this particular holiday is also disproportionately high compared to other days of the year. It is listed as one of the deadliest days of the year for alcohol-related crashes and deaths by The United States Department of Transportation.
After over a year of staying inside and avoiding most social functions, it will be necessary for many people’s mental health to start engaging in familiar activities and traditions once again, so totally shunning celebrations won’t be the best option for many. Instead, it can help to look at this time as a chance to show yourself and others that you can have a good time, relax and socialize without jeopardizing your health. In addition, July 4th can become a new way to celebrate your independence from addiction and be remembered as another victory on your path toward recovery.
Enjoying a Sober Holiday
Enjoying the holiday with friends and family is possible and actually beneficial to long-term recovery. Some helpful tips to keep in mind over the holiday are:
- Choose the right event – If you have the chance, hang out with friends and family who don’t drink or won’t drink around you. If alcohol isn’t present, you won’t even be bothered with the temptation to drink.
- Be a host – Another option is to host your gathering free from alcohol. Inform guests are not to bring alcohol or any other substances they’re not comfortable with to the party. If they don’t want to come, they aren’t obligated to.
- Have a plan in place if temptation strikes – There are many possibilities for this, so whatever works best for you is what will work. What is important is that you know you can hold yourself accountable. There are a few mental or breath exercises you can plan to do in situations until the moment passes. Maybe you can arrange to have a sponsor available for you to call or bring a friend to the event that understands the situation and can talk to you when you find the temptation too much. In specific scenarios, you can even plan on exiting the party early to avoid an outcome you’ll regret.
- Be prepared to forgive yourself if you relapse – Even with everything planned ahead of time, life can be unpredictable, and people make mistakes. If you do slip up, don’t let that set you back. You can quickly forgive yourself for that one drink and move on, rather than feeling excessive guilt about it that can drive you to drink more.
Enjoy a Sober Fourth of July with Help from Baltimore Detox Center
If you or someone you know is facing issues with maintaining sobriety during this holiday or as the pandemic restrictions are lifting, please don’t hesitate to give Baltimore Detox Center a call at [Direct]. Our team of experts can help with maintaining sobriety during the Fourth of July and every other day.
