Unfortunately 4th of July celebrations — as with most holidays in the U.S.— tend to revolve around alcohol consumption. You’ve worked hard for your sobriety, and there’s no reason to put it in jeopardy. So, the challenge becomes how to celebrate without worrying about the temptation to drink. Believe it or not, there’s plenty of sober activities you can take part in and still celebrate the holiday. It takes a little extra work and planning, but it’s worth the effort to ensure your sobriety and all the hard work that got you there. A sober living program like the one at Solution Based Treatment gives you the tools you need to maintain your sobriety after you’ve left treatment. Addiction recovery is a lifelong process, and the daily challenges and stresses of life can make a recovery hard to maintain. Managing holidays and everyday social situations are doable with the right tools in place. Contact Solution Based Treatment & Detox to start the detox and addiction recovery process by calling 833.999.1941.
Have a Sober Support Network
Even if you avoid every party on the 4th of July, you’ll still find yourself in situations where you’ll have cravings. It’s ok to acknowledge your desire to use instead of ignoring it. Having a network of sober supporters to fall back on and help you through the rough patches will help make it easier the next time you face the same challenge. Your sober network can include a therapist, others in recovery like you are, and even friends or family who support your sober lifestyle. This team of supporters will help remind you what relapse looks like and what your life looked like when drugs were a part of it.
When you seek treatment for a drug or alcohol use disorder, one of the most important milestones in your treatment is getting to the point where sober living is the next step. Your sober support network is a huge part of making this milestone possible before, during, and after treatment.
Sober Holiday Activities
Staying away from anywhere drinking and drugs will be prevalent is, of course, the obvious choice. So, instead of parties, bars, and BBQs, try some other activities that will help you stay sober for the 4th of July.
- Seek out other sober friends and supporters to spend time with
- Get support through a local 12-step meeting
- Enjoy the great outdoors with a hike, a bike, or a boat ride
- Catch a movie, play, sporting event, or even hit up an arcade
- Volunteer in your community to help those less fortunate and possibly support others who share your struggles
- Host your own sober celebration
If you do attend a party or event where you might be tempted, a little advance planning is key.
- Know the signs of your cravings
- Prepare and strategize how you’ll avoid temptations
- Avoid areas where there is alcohol or drug use happening
- Remind yourself that you can leave the situation at any time.
Create a plan that fits your own needs as closely as possible. Then make sure you stick to it when the time comes.
Learn More About Sober Living at SBT
The sober living program at Solution Based Treatment helps individuals develop the skills they need to deal with all of the little daily struggles, like managing sobriety during a holiday. A supportive and nurturing sober environment will only help to avoid a relapse. It’s one thing to say you can not drink or use drugs at a party, and another to say you have overcome an addiction to drugs or alcohol. At SBT, the latter is the goal. We offer a number of treatment programs, all with a focus on healing the mind, body, and soul. These programs include:
- Medical detox
- Residential addiction treatment
- Medication-assisted treatment
- Partial hospitalization
- Intervention services
Contact our caring team today at 833.999.1941 to learn more about all that we offer.