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. The thought of getting through this time of year without taking a drink can be really nerve-wracking. After all, in the past, it may have been alcohol that got the party started and helped keep you going all night long.
Plan a gratitude activity
While instant hot cocoa is convenient, some moments call for the from-scratch variety. « This is most definitely a 5 star recipe. The chocolate sauce is very rich and the addition of cinnamon and vanilla make this recipe a keeper, » says reviewer House of Aqua. Recipe creator Aleta suggests making this festive, fruity punch a few days in advance to allow the flavors to meld. « I love how it was not too sweet as punch can tend to be, » says reviewer Shannell McCain. « It is very kid-friendly or great at the midday office holiday party, » says recipe creator Michael Powers. Embrace a shift in perspective and explore the possibilities that exist beyond your initial beliefs.
Tips to Avoid Alcohol on Heavy Drinking Holidays
With its blend of spices and honey, this drink embodies the spirit of warmth and hospitality. Serve it in traditional Russian tea glasses, garnished with a cinnamon stick, and let the soothing flavors transport you. Whether you’re hosting a winter gathering or enjoying a quiet night in, Soothing Sbiten is the key to unlocking the magic of Eastern European winter hospitality. Many rehab centers will host holiday alum events to provide options for those in recovery who want to avoid drugs and alcohol during the holiday season. There can be game nights, outdoor activities, friendly sports competitions, potluck meals, and more to help you have a fun time and remain sober.
Bring Your Own Non-Alcoholic Beverages
To add some extra flair, look for hot chocolate bombs, peppermint candies, and special popcorn treats to enjoy during movie night. Cozying up together is a special way to enjoy the early darkness and embrace the hygge. Before we dive into the delectable world of alcohol-free beverages, consider checking out the This Naked Mind Companion App for additional support, drink ideas, and resources during the holiday season.
You don’t have to drink to celebrate the holiday season
Even after someone stops drinking, alcohol in the stomach and intestine continues to enter the bloodstream, resulting in impaired judgment and coordination for hours. Alcohol can also cause blackouts—which are gaps in a person’s memory while they were intoxicated. At higher blood alcohol concentration levels, alcohol acts as a clear depressant, which can cause people who drink to pass out if the dose is high enough. At even higher levels, people who drink face the danger of life-threatening alcohol overdose due to the suppression of vital life functions. You may end up drinking more than you intend to, and feel the consequences the next morning. There’s no rule that requires you to remain in town and spend the holidays with your family.
Throw an Alcohol-Free Holiday Party
If you take the possibility of drinking out of the picture, you will find alternatives. Sometimes they’ll surprise you and sometimes you’ll plan them, but you WILL find alternatives because you don’t drink. But once you get used to that as part of your social identity, you’ll find that in the most stressful and tiring social situations, it’s that little energy zap of confidence that you’re missing. This is why one of the things that kept me alcohol-free in my first year of sobriety was to remember what it felt like to be pregnant.
If others are drinking, sometimes the event can be less enjoyable reframing holidays in early recovery the longer it progresses and the more intoxicated others become. Many of us in recovery are uncomfortable around intoxicated people, and that’s totally valid. If you have a problem with alcohol, it’s essential, to be honest with your friends and family about it. Please don’t feel like there’s a stigma attached to being sober; it’s something that can bring people closer together.
- You can get your family involved, or invite friends and neighbors over for some DIY decor crafting.
- This is especially important when maintaining sobriety and avoiding relapse.
- Whether it is an end-of-year work party, toasting with friends to celebrate the holiday, or pouring yourself that rum and eggnog, December can feel fraught with reasons to drink.
- This desire is linked to the interaction of alcohol with neurotransmitters, creating a cycle of seeking to sustain the perceived benefits.
- The combination of warm spices and sweet layers will create a heavenly experience for your taste buds.
Lastly, maybe by us leading by example, a loved one may be inspired to reconsider their relationship to alcohol as well. Whether you are sober or trying to cut back on drinking, it can be particularly challenging to avoid alcohol during the holidays. Alcohol-centric gatherings combined with seasonal stressors can be particularly triggering for those who wish to avoid alcohol or limit their drinking. By remembering the benefits of not drinking and following a few tips, you can still have a merry and festive season sans alcohol.
« You don’t want to leave them in the corner by themselves where everybody else is toasting, » he said. « They should be included in the celebration but they don’t have to drink. » You can also take a walk or leave the event, said Koob, from the NIAAA. And while people shouldn’t need an excuse to leave, they can say they’re not feeling well. Typically, a standard drink is 12 ounces of beer with 5% alcohol, 5 ounces of wine with 12% alcohol, or 1½ ounces of a distilled beverage. While some people drink to celebrate, others drink because it helps them feel less depressed, less alone, or less bored, said Thomas Britton, CEO and board member at American Addiction Centers.
How to Not Drink During the Holidays
« So when your favorite aunt offers you a glass of wine and you’ve decided not to have wine that evening, you have something prepared to say. » « We measure a standard drink as either one 12 ounce beer, one 5 ounce glass of wine or 1 to 1 ½ ounce of hard liquor. » « I got this recipe from my Italian Grandpa, who used to make it for me at Christmas time, » says recipe creator Leslie. This punch can be made with ginger-ale or champagne, so you might as well make two batches and give folks the option. Create an action plan on how to drink less this Christmas with the impactful ritual of Mindful Mixology.