For many people, July 4th celebrations are strongly linked to alcohol use. That may not be a big concern for everyone. But it’s a major issue for anyone who has completed alcohol addiction treatment. After all, you’ve worked hard to get sober and maintain your sobriety. How do you make sure that you will continue to avoid problems?
Need help having an alcohol-free Independence Day? Here are some top tips from the experts at Memphis Recovery Centers. Our staff of professionals is committed to helping you avoid alcohol. For additional tips for having a sober Independence Day Celebration, call 901-272-7751 for our non-profit addiction treatment.
Plan Your Independence Day in Advance
Advance planning is key to maintaining your sobriety throughout the year. That’s especially true for upcoming major holidays where drinking is common. Depending on your situation, your Independence Day plan may need to include things such as:
- Preparing yourself to attend a party where other people are drinking
- Strategizing how to respond if someone offers you alcohol
- Reminding yourself of the signs of rising alcohol cravings
- Knowing when to move away from an area where alcohol is in use
- Remembering that you may need to leave and go home
Create a plan that fits your own needs as closely as possible. Then make sure you stick to it when the time comes.
Steer Clear of Parties that Feature Substance Use
You may know beforehand that certain friends or acquaintances will feature substance use at their parties. If so, you might want to consider politely turning down their invitation to attend. Doing this is probably the surest way to keep your sobriety intact.
As an alternative, try seeking out parties hosted by friends or acquaintances who are sober. The support you receive from them will make it far easier for you to relax and enjoy yourself. Also, consider asking friends and loved ones who drink to abstain for that one day.
Host an Alcohol-Free Party
One of the best ways to avoid alcohol is to host a sober celebration party. This way, you have much more control over the holiday environment. You can still stock up on plenty of appealing beverage options without serving alcohol. You can also do other things to create a festive atmosphere. For example, you can create a gaming area or provide other sober activities. When everyone’s having fun, your guests will care less about whether or not alcohol is being served.
If you plan to host a sober celebration, let everyone know in advance. That way, expectations will be set before the festivities begin.
Ask for Support From Your Self-Help Group for Other Sober Activity Ideas
If you belong to a self-help group like AA, you have an excellent resource for maintaining your holiday sobriety. Your more experienced peers will likely have advice on how to navigate tricky situations. They may even have suggestions for sober activities that haven’t crossed your mind.
There’s another significant reason for asking your self-help group for support: accountability. By telling your peers your plans and concerns, you make yourself accountable for your actions. That’s true because they can:
- Remind you of the importance of staying sober
- Check in with you and ask you how your day went
- Give you real-time help over the phone in emergencies
Knowing these things can make all the difference in helping you avoid drinking.
Learn More from the Professionals at Memphis Recovery Centers
For more information on having a sober celebration day, contact the professionals at Memphis Recovery Centers. We’re happy to offer advice and share our wealth of knowledge and experience. In addition, we provide top-quality alcohol addiction treatment plans for anyone wishing to start their sobriety journey. Just fill out our online form or call us today at 901-272-7751.
