Tips for a Sober Festive Season
5 minute read
With the heavy social focus on drinking and celebration, the festive period can make navigating sobriety challenging. There are plenty of strategies to help you stay grounded and enjoy the season without the pressure to drink. Here are some tips to help you navigate sobriety this Christmas:
1. Finally got a night off to attend a Christmas do? Have a plan for social events
Try to attend with a supportive friend: If possible, bring along a friend who understands your commitment to sobriety. This way, you’ll have someone on your side to help navigate tricky situations. Perhaps decide in advance how long you plan to stay, giving yourself guilt-free permission to leave in advance - communicate this with your friend so they can support you with this plan should you need it.
Find a safe space to take a minute: If a gathering becomes overwhelming or uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to leave early. It's helpful to have a plan in place, including the classic fake friend emergency. Additionally, know where you can go for some alone time if you need to recharge, whether it’s in a quiet room or stepping outside for a few minutes.
2. Going out a bit more after service? Set boundaries with family, friends and colleagues
Communicate your sobriety: Be open with your people about your choice/ necessity to remain sober. You don’t owe anyone an explanation, but being upfront can set the tone for respect and understanding. If someone who doesn’t know you well offers you a drink, a simple "No thanks, I’m not drinking right now" should suffice. Don’t feel like you need to provide a long explanation or justification.
3. Relish in the non boozy delights of the season!
Embrace non-drinking activities: Christmas offers so many non-alcoholic joys—holiday lights, terrible movies with your favourite washed up 90s stars, gift exchanges, cooking something gamey, and much more. Focus on the traditions and activities that don’t revolve around alcohol but leave your mental cup feeling half full rather than half empty.
4. Find Support
Attend sober events and lean on your sober network: Many communities have sober gatherings during the holidays. Look for AA meetings, where you can connect with others who understand your experience. Reach out to friends or online communities who are also sober or supportive of your decision. Just having someone to talk to when things feel difficult can make a big difference. Alcoholics Anonymous 0800 9177 650 - help@aamail.org / Narcotics Anonymous 0300 999 1212 - email pi@ukna.org
Helplines and meetings are available to anyone who wishes to stop using drugs (NA) or alcohol (AA). FREE. Most in person meetings in London conflict with service, see online meeting offered in NYC (6 hrs behind) to join in the late evening UK time info@nyintergroup.org.
SMART Recovery https://smartrecovery.org.uk
SMART Recovery meetings are open to anyone managing any type of addiction, regardless of where you are in your recovery.. Unlike AA or NA, they don’t rely on a “higher power” framework, instead focusing on practical tools, many rooted in CBT techniques. The emphasis is on providing non-specific, inclusive support to help you move forward. You can find a list of meetings here.
For loved ones:
Al-Anon
0800 0086 811
10:00 to 22:00, 7 days a week
Al Anon is set up for loved ones of folks experiencing addiction whether they are sober or not. There are lots of meeting both in person and online.The Al-Anon phoneline can offer a listening ear, signpost you to meetings and help you understand how al anon might be right for you.
*Nar-Anon*- (Al-Anon for drugs)
NAR-Anon offers free support for family and friends of those struggling with addiction, with meetings to share experiences and find connection. While London's only in-person meeting is Saturday mornings in Queen’s Park, numerous online meetings are available to fit your schedule.You can find an extensive list here: https://naranonglobalonline.org
Kelly’s Cause will be closed for the holidays from 20th December to Monday 6th January. If you need support while we’re closed, or a colleague or loved one is in crisis, please contact Samaritans on 116 123 or call 111 and press 2 for the NHS Mental Health line.