Sobriety and the Festive Season: Tips for Addicts and Their Allies

I’m Hannah, and I’m an alcoholic/addict. And my sobriety date is 6th December 2023. Being an addict around the festive season can be difficult and isolating. Alcohol is promoted everywhere: from television shows and adverts, to being on pretty displays in shops, to posters on public transport. Christmas and the New Year celebrations are often used as an excuse to drink or use drugs more than you usually would, and with it being a festive season, starting to drink early in the morning has become acceptable. Stress is also very high at this time of year, ensuring Christmas runs smoothly. But what does that mean if you’re an alcoholic/addict in recovery or trying to get into recovery?

There’s no doubt that alcohol is easily accessible and, as a society, we are obsessed with alcohol, and almost encouraged to drink. The majority of workplaces have Christmas and New year celebrations which include alcohol. As an addict, you feel as though you cannot go to these celebrations and can often feel left out. There are many adverts on the television setting the festive scene with a fireplace and a nice bottle of alcohol, which is very inviting. However, for an addict, this is not our reality. Our reality is drinking and using, which can cause trouble within our social group, and with that comes low self-esteem/self-worth and depression.

If we go to festive celebrations, with family, friends or work colleagues, and someone offers us an alcoholic drink and we say no, we can be asked why we are not drinking, almost like it’s not acceptable to stay sober at parties. But we are fully entitled to say no, without an explanation. I personally quite like the phrase ‘I went pro and retired early’ when someone asks me why I don’t drink.

It’s important to have boundaries in place when you’re an addict in recovery going to festive/any celebrations. Maybe go with people who support you and your recovery journey, or plan to leave at a certain time so you’re not tempted to join in when the party gets rowdy. To be able to leave early, ensure that you have a plan in place, so you can leave before you find yourself in a situation. We do not have to miss out on celebrations or festivities just because we’re in recovery.

As with any addict in recovery, not just at Christmas time but all through the year, I would advise to stick to healthy habits, make sure you eat well, sleep well and keep your personal hygiene up. Try to alleviate your stress levels and don’t push yourself too much so you’re not being consumed with anxiety and feel under pressure. There are lots of addiction support meetings which take place around Christmas and the New Year, even some meetings run on Christmas day and New Year’s Eve/Day.

For family, friends, work colleagues and loved ones, remember we addicts are still human beings, and try not to single us out or make us feel awkward if we have built up the courage to go to a festive event sober, and understand when we say no, we mean NO! Refrain from encouraging us to drink or use. Many people that support those in recovery may leave us addicts out from activities innocently, thinking about potential triggers for us, not realising that that can leave us feeling excluded.

Communication and staying connected is crucial in keeping safe over the festive season. Communicate with people who support you and people you trust and let them know if you’re struggling. Keep in touch with other addicts in recovery, because the best people to support addicts are other addicts. Remember why you are in recovery and remember that the festive season is only temporary. Embrace the festive season! Just because we are in recovery does not mean we can’t enjoy our Christmas and New Year… but it does mean we will remember it because we didn’t get blackout drunk!

I’m Hannah, and I’m an alcoholic/addict. And my sobriety date is 6th December 2023, and I wish you a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.