A sober new year can be an alien concept to people in the earliest stages of recovery. How do you start a sober new year after years of drinking? The best way to avoid temptation and the risk of a relapse is by planning out the events of your evening, month, and year ahead. Take control of everything in your environment and make active choices not to drink. Keep reading for a few tips on staying true to your sober resolutions and avoiding a hangover and a lot of regrets.
At Recovery Ranch Tennessee, we know that keeping your resolutions to stay sober can be challenging. But it’s important to remember that sobriety is a journey, and you can make progress no matter how many times you relapse or make mistakes. Think of a sober new year as a fresh start to a new life. If you need extra support during this time or don’t know where to begin on the journey to sobriety, call our alcohol rehab center at 1.844.876.7680 today.
5 Ways to Succeed in a Sober New Year
Even after you get sober, it is important to interact with friends and family. If the people you surround yourself with change, you can still have fun and make memories with some of the ideas below.
1. Go Away on a Quiet Weekend Trip
If you still feel too raw and new when it comes to being around others drinking, find a place to go where there will not be any excessive celebration. Rent out a room by the beach or in the woods for yourself and a few people who support your recovery. Or go by yourself and spend the time catching up on your favorite TV shows or movies.
Afraid the local restaurant might be full of people drinking? Have your food delivered, or bring your own for a private sober celebration. You get to come home feeling no after-effects of alcohol and a renewed sense of purpose.
2. Throw a Sober Celebration
Take charge of your sobriety by throwing a sober dinner for family and friends when you reach an important milestone in your recovery journey. Focus on creating some delicious foods for your guests to enjoy. Preoccupying yourself with recipes and table arrangement is a good way of keeping your mind off alcohol.
Be careful about who you add to your guest list. You only want people around who understand your struggle and do not see it as an inconvenience to their fun. Make it clear from the outset that there will be no alcohol or other substances allowed. Do not be afraid to take control and remove someone who does not respect your ground rules.
3. Have a Game Night
If you do not consider yourself much of a cook, throw your friends and family a fun game night. Having old favorites like Monopoly on hand can make game night a breeze. However, you can also get creative and make elaborate game set-ups. Think indoor bowling or egg races around your living room. For example, some other possible game night activities:
- Charades
- Cookie decorating contest
- Outside bonfire with marshmallows
Everyone will be too preoccupied with having fun to worry about a lack of cocktails.
4. Avoid Toxic People
Make sure your outings and celebrations do not include being around those who bring you negativity. You should always make your mental health and sobriety the top priority, even when it comes to family. One common reason for people to relapse is getting into an argument with a loved one.
The best defense you have against relapse is preparation and awareness. Do not be afraid to say no to attending a family gathering, which you know will lead to tension. If pressure over attending an event gets to be too much, find a meeting to attend for support about your decision.
5. Do Not Beat Yourself up for a Small Mistake
Even a sober event can leave you in a situation where you end up exposed to alcohol. It could be a friend thoughtlessly bringing a bottle of wine to dinner or having someone accidentally pass you a drink without thinking. You may order a mocktail while out with friends and realize the bartender added vodka.
Immediately forgive yourself for any lapses. Beating yourself up could lead to you buying an entire bottle of vodka during your drive home. Put your mental focus on a sober future and pull yourself out of the moment. We also recommend finding a meeting. Be around people who understand, help you put things in perspective, and stop you from spiraling.
Let Recovery Ranch TN Help You Have a Sober New Year
Do you want to start the New Year on a sober note? Recovery Ranch TN offers a variety of programs for individuals looking for help with an alcohol use disorder. We also offer help for other addiction and mental health issues, including:
- Drug and alcohol detox center
- Inpatient drug rehab center
- Outpatient drug rehab center
- Nutrition therapy program
- Aftercare program
Using evidence-based and holistic therapies, we personalize each person’s treatment plan when they start with us. Our center is located in beautiful Nunnelly, Tennessee. Learn more about our services and how we can help by contacting us at 1.844.876.7680.
