Over a few months in AA, I took on a couple of small commitments that kept me in the fold. These commitments were at meetings that were all within walking distance of my home as I had no car. I learned early in recovery that keeping commitments is a crucial part of staying sober. I later discovered that keeping commitments was an essential part of developing good character. Find out about special meetings. Many https://perfectfashion.ro/sober-living-recovery-housing-addiction-alcoholic-7/ groups have “post-holiday” or gratitude meetings in early January.
ways to have a sober holiday
I did not die from loneliness and the world did not come to an end. Halfway house After a while, a man came into the room. He appeared to be 60-something, with graying hair and a gray mustache.
Spotlight On Sobriety 11/23/2025
- I make plans that include an “important date” with my pillow.
- I’ve always been involved in AA and with the Fellowship, and I’ve had the great pleasure of getting to know some outstanding people in our program.
- There were fellow newcomers like me there who didn’t want to drink, getting to spend the day in a safe place.
- The holidays are a time for fun, fellowship, joy and laughter.
- It’s a cold, blustery Tuesday night on the vast plains in the upper Midwest.
I couldn’t seem to get a single day sober. I so wanted to see through sober eyes, but couldn’t even get through a morning without a drink. It was my last car wreck due to drinking, but it wasn’t my last day drunk.
Recipe for a sober holiday
My desire to reach out and help another alcoholic forever changed that day. I realized that my life wasn’t so bad after all. I got to pitch in and help provide a safe, sober oasis of hope, love and support for other alcoholics who needed it. And I had a safe, sober place too. Now don’t get me wrong; I’ve had difficult times during the holidays, even in sobriety. But I wouldn’t trade my worst holidays sober for the best ones of my drinking days.
We Can Stay Sober Through Anything
It seems that the gene that triggered my disease of alcoholism came from the paternal side of my family. My family didn’t understand recovery. They offered me drinks, and I felt that I had to say “yes” because I didn’t want to appear broken, and I wanted their approval more than I wanted sobriety.
Count your days! Sobriety Calculator
But for the first time in ages, I wasn’t entirely at the mercy of these sick thoughts. Those cheerful strangers kept telling me I didn’t have to pick up the first drink. I tried with all my might to listen to them instead of listening to the lies my disease kept telling me. Also included are some wonderful Sober Holiday stories.
The next day, October 29, 2021, I entered treatment. I spent Halloween watching the world dress up while I was finally undressing from the lie I had lived in. The centre was quiet, kind, and imperfect. That Christmas, I woke up sober. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was peaceful. For the first time in years, I felt safe, nourished, and free.
Anyway, I have accepted my responsibility for my own happiness. See how many years, months, days, and hours you have of sobriety. It’s amazing what can happen one day at a time. In December 2022, I met my parents in Quebec. I told them the truth about my drinking. They hadn’t seen me fall apart, but they had lost peace of mind, sleep, and time.
Everyone brings food in from their own family celebrations too. You can even volunteer to help set up, clean up and serve the goodies. I really enjoy helping decorate our AA hall, as well as appearing as Santa Claus at meetings and passing out candy canes. I also love hosting holiday dinners in my home for fellow members as well as other friends who might otherwise have a lonely holiday. Although I didn’t quite trust these cheerful strangers, on the seventh day after my first meeting, I decided to try to stop.
Helping people who want to stop drinking
- “You’re going to make it,” he said matter-of-factly.
- I don’t know if I would have made it without him.
- Activities for the holiday season.
If you are struggling this holiday season, please do not give up before the miracle happens. Back in Vancouver, I gave away almost everything I owned. I packed a few bags and my Big Book and drove across the country.
I’ve learned the tricks — show up early, leave early, keep my own car, stay close to my AA friends, and focus on connection instead of consumption. I can sober holidays host dinners, attend gatherings, even navigate those awkward office parties without a drink in my hand or a pit in my stomach. Suddenly my problems got so much less important. My gratitude got so much larger.