The holiday season is approaching fast, and it kicks off with Thanksgiving. Around this time of year, it's common for people to want to drink and have a good time. If you're in recovery from substance abuse, being at parties can put you in hard situations. At San Antonio Recovery Center, we offer a rehab aftercare program, including sober living programs, to help you stay sober after your addiction treatment. Here are a few tips that you can use to have a sober Thanksgiving.
Being in recovery or struggling with substance abuse doesn't mean that you have to miss out on the holidays. The whole point of getting sober is so that you can live the fullest and best life possible. This goal includes spending time with friends and family during the holidays. Use the tips below to ensure that you have a sober Thanksgiving.
Nothing helps more than having a plan, including an escape plan and responses for turning down drinks. You don't have to explain to everyone that you meet at a party that you're in recovery. You don't owe them an explanation as to why you don't want a drink either.
Simply saying, "No thank you, but I will take a Coca-Cola if you have it," is sufficient. Not everyone has to drink at parties.
If things get too intense or one person pushes you to drink, have an exit plan. You can also execute this plan if things get too tempting. It might even mean letting a few key people or the host know that you might have to leave early.
It's hard not to overeat during Thanksgiving. After all, everyone places so much food in front of you that you want to have a bit of everything. However, studies show that overeating is one of the main reasons why having a sober Thanksgiving is so hard sometimes.
When people overeat, they tend to feel guilty about it. It's common for them to turn to drugs and alcohol to cover up the guilt. Addiction relapse starts with giving the brain a reason to start using again. Limit how much you eat, and you might find that the need to use is less intense.
Proper exercise is critical in addiction recovery because exercising naturally releases dopamine into the brain. Just because it's the holidays doesn't mean that you should give up on your exercise routine. Maintaining it can reduce the urge to use too.
At San Antonio Recovery Center, we're proud to offer Texas addiction rehab programs that provide the support you need to stay sober. We don't just help you overcome addiction. We help you stay sober by teaching you the coping skills that you need to overcome the underlying mental conditions contributing to your addiction, so you can have a sober Thanksgiving. Treatment programs offered at San Antonio Recovery Center that aid in long term sobriety include:
Don't let your fear of relapse keep you from hanging out with friends and family this holiday season. Let us teach you more about how to have a sober Thanksgiving. Reach out to San Antonio Recovery Center at 866.957.7885 for help.
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