This upcoming Halloween may be giving you anxiety if you’re recovering from alcoholism. Celebrating any holiday while sober can be challenging, as holidays often involve parties and heavy drinking, and Halloween is known as one of the top drinking holidays of the year.
It is possible, however, to not only get through this day in one piece but to have fun without the assistance of alcohol. Our team at Decision Point Center has some tips that can help guide you through October 31st safely.
Have a Plan for Turning Down Alcohol
If you are in the early stages of your recovery process, you may have to prepare an answer for every time someone asks you why you’re not drinking at an event. For some people, turning down alcohol is as simple as saying “I don’t drink.” But not everyone is ready to be asked invasive follow-up questions, which is why it’s beneficial to think of what you want to say in this situation now. If your friends plan on drinking, you could say you’re the designated driver, for instance.
Find Out If Your Support Group is Celebrating
If you’ve befriended people in your support group, you may want to find out how they’re planning on spending their Halloween. Alcoholics Anonymous, for example, is known to have sponsored alcohol-free parties in the past. It may be comforting for you to be around people who also don’t drink, and who have been in the same situation as you and thus inherently understand what you’re going through.
Find an Alternative to Alcoholic Beverages
You’re not drinking alcohol on Halloween, but that doesn’t mean you have to be stuck with water all night. There are tons of festive and fun mocktails you can make to enjoy a party – all you have to do is Google recipes. You can also bring along your favorite canned beverage or ask the party host if they have soda.
Organize Non-Drinking Activities with Friends
Your group of friends doesn’t absolutely have to celebrate Halloween by throwing a drinking party. Consider asking your friends if they’d be interested in organizing an alternative activity, like a game night, or something interactive that doesn’t require the presence of alcohol.
Remember You Can Always Leave Early
If you do decide to attend a Halloween party, it’s important to remember that you never have to stay longer than you want to – if you’re feeling uncomfortable, you can leave early. If you don’t feel confident in leaving the house, it’s okay to stay home. Every person’s path toward sobriety looks different, and there’s no one right way to recover.
Alcohol Rehab Programs Tailored to Your Needs
If you’re struggling with alcoholism, you’re not alone, as 15 million people in the United States suffer from some type of alcohol use disorder. At Decision Point Center, we understand that one common treatment plan may not work for all 15 million people. This is why we offer a variety of alcohol rehab programs that are tailored to each of our patient’s individual needs. From a 45-day residential inpatient program to cognitive behavioral therapy and relapse prevention, we’re able to help you at each stage of the recovery process so you’ll never feel abandoned or ill-equipped.
Our team at Decision Point Center doesn’t believe in simply treating the addiction and calling it a day. We know that achieving sobriety is a long journey that requires preparation and healthy habits. When you call our facility for support, you can rest assured knowing we can give you the tools you need to overcome your addiction and move on to lead a better life.
Call Decision Point Center at (844) 292-5010, or contact us online if you or a loved one is struggling with alcoholism. Our team uses proven techniques to help our patients begin the recovery process and reclaim their lives.