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Beach House Recovery Center » Blog » Dealing with New Year’s Eve Triggers
If “celebrate my first year of sobriety” is one of your New Year’s resolutions, you may be looking uneasily toward the actual turn of the year. Will your family understand if you skip the annual gathering where drinks flow freely? Do you dare attend any gathering where someone’s likely to pop open a champagne bottle as the clock strikes midnight? What alternative do you have—sitting home alone, dispirited, depressed and fighting the urge to comfort yourself with a drink?
Don’t panic: you do have options besides celebrating in the wrong ways and not celebrating at all.
If you’ve had several months of successful sobriety already (including navigating other parties unscathed), you may well be up to celebrating New Year’s Eve with “social drinkers,” dismissing any offer of a drink for you with a polite “No thanks” or a request for a nonalcoholic alternative. However, even normally responsible acquaintances may “let themselves go” at major celebrations (and that can be contagious), so stick to gatherings where you know everyone well and are sure they’ll remain clearheaded and well-behaved. And if things nonetheless start to show signs of getting out of hand, make a quick exit on any excuse.
Other hints for surviving New Year’s Eve parties where drinks are circulating:
Your ability to cope with party triggers will be further improved if you go to the party with someone who supports your sobriety. Or confide in a trustworthy friend who will also be at the party, asking them to stick close to you. Or ask the host in advance if they can make sure you aren’t offered alcoholic beverages.
Ideally, have your close friends and family members—the same people you’ll be celebrating the New Year with—in your sobriety support network already. Then the whole party can be on your side from the beginning, without hurt feelings or having their own enjoyment dampened.
All that said, you may be among those who can’t yet risk attending any gathering where alcohol is served. Play it safe and count yourself in that group if:
Or … you may simply not get any party invitations at all.
Don’t despair: you still have options for a sober and fun New Year’s Eve.
Whether you’re researching for yourself or a loved one, Beach House can help. We understand that this is a serious time in your life and that the treatment center you choose matters. We want you to feel comfortable and empowered to make the right decision for yourself, a friend, or a family member. This is why a counselor is waiting and available to answer your questions and help put your mind at ease regarding the next steps. Many of the staff at Beach House have walked in your shoes. If you feel you’re ready or want more information about how to help a loved one, we can help today. You can also learn why we are voted the #1 rehab for addiction treatment in Florida.
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