While many Halloween parties may involve alcohol, you can have a sober Halloween without substances and still enjoy yourself. Planning for the holiday season will make it easier to avoid drinking Halloween. Plus, you can stay sober at parties through the end of the year. Your journey of recovery doesn’t stop when you complete an adult addiction treatment program. It continues by making decisions to enjoy sober holidays throughout your life. If you need assistance, contact Fort Behavioral Health today at 844.332.1807.
Attend Sober Halloween Events or Host Your Own
The best way to have a sober Halloween is not to attend a party where the hosts serve alcohol. Look for family-friendly events or find adult parties designated as substance-free. Many recovery facilities and community centers host these types of parties. The events intend to keep people safe from drinking and driving on Halloween.
If you cannot find any events nearby, host your own. Tell guests before the party that you will not tolerate drinking during the event. However, some people may not get the message or think they are exempt. To keep these people from bringing their own alcoholic beverages to your party, have enough non-alcoholic drinks available to keep them satiated.
Know When to Say No
For some people in recovery from alcohol addiction, they must separate themselves from their old friends and habits to avoid drinking. If your former social circle only gathered around alcohol, ask not to join their Halloween parties. They will likely drink during their party, as they did before, making it harder for you to be the only one not to drink. Turning down these events with your old drinking buddies doesn’t make you antisocial. Instead, it means that you put your well-being first by wanting to hold onto your recovery.
Be the Designated Driver
You may not be able to attend an alcohol-free affair or host your own party if someone invites you to another event. Should you find yourself in a situation where you must go to a party that serves alcohol, make yourself the designated driver.
The holiday season, starting with Halloween sees an increase in enforcement of driving under the influence laws. Many people will go to Halloween parties, knowing they will need a sober driver to get them home. If you request that position for yourself, you will become very popular at the party, and many people will help you avoid drinking. If you do drink, they lose their free ride home and must call for an Uber or cab instead.
Tell everyone you see at the party that you will not drink. Plus, you can wear a badge or hat to let others know not to serve you alcohol. When you don’t have to turn down an offer of alcohol, resisting becomes easier.
Have a Friend Hold You Accountable
Lastly, whatever plans you have, keep in close contact with a friend to hold you accountable for your actions. Your accountability partner could be a 12-step program partner, therapist, or friend. If you go to a substance-free party, bring your friend with you to ensure that you don’t go elsewhere for a drink after the event. You can also phone the person as soon as you get home.
If your friend does not live nearby or has other plans for the night, call or text them if you feel an urge to drink. The action of stepping away from the moment to contact a friend can help you to lessen the intensity of the temptation.
Get Help for Alcohol Addiction at Fort Behavioral Health
Alcohol addiction can impact every aspect of your life. You spend more money on alcohol, which can lead to financial problems. Mood changes can affect relationships with your friends and family. And you have a higher chance of getting into a car accident when driving under the influence. But quitting alcohol use on your own may be difficult, especially during holiday parties.
If you want to enjoy sober Halloween parties in the future but feel that you struggle with this now, connect with Fort Behavioral Health at 844.332.1807. We have an alcohol addiction treatment program that incorporates different therapies to help you find recovery.
