- Plan each and every day of your holiday season. Spend the majority of your time with friends and family who are supportive of your recovery.
- Find a meeting. Many groups have special meetings during the holidays to share their experience, strength and hope. Check on-line and local newspapers for meetings.
- Ask for support from family and friends. Those who are truly supportive of your recovery will be happy to help you throughout the holidays.
- Have a list of ten people you can call. Make a list and check it twice! Always carry your cell phone and list of names with you.
- Stay away from slippery places. There is absolutely no reason to visit your former favorite haunts or seek out former using friends.
- Get out of there! Always have an exit plan if things go south. Take an Uber, Lyft, bus, walk or call friend who has agreed to be on standby.
- Create new traditions to replace your old using patterns. Hike Fort Pulaski, buy a new game, take the family on the many outings in Savannah, Tybee and Chatham
County. Use your imagination, be creative and have fun! - Write a daily gratitude list. The quickest cure to holiday blues is counting your blessings and being grateful for what you have every new day.
- Volunteer for a charitable organization. There are many people in our community
who are less fortunate than you. Search on-line, your local newspaper or ask your faith leader about volunteer opportunities. You will be helping the needy as well as yourself. - Write a letter to yourself: How I Stayed Sober Over the Holidays. The act of writing is powerful. Jot down all the activities and events that will help you have a healthy, happy and sober holiday.
- Avoid H.A.L.T. (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired). If you’re hungry, eat. If you’reangry, talk to someone you trust or, if it fits for you, pray. Feel lonely? Go to a meeting or call a friend. If you are tired, get a good night’s sleep.
- Live one day at a time and enjoy your sobriety. Stay in the moment. Dispelnegative thoughts about what happened or could happen. Enjoy today. Celebrate your
sobriety!
Tips provided by Peri Kyriakos, IARC volunteer and addiction therapist