4 Ideas to Avoid Triggers on Valentine’s Day

Why is it the Longer I Stay Sober, the Less I Know?
Why is it the Longer I Stay Sober, the Less I Know?
January 28, 2019
Can I Stay Sober on Valentine’s Day?
Can I Stay Sober on Valentine’s Day?
February 4, 2019

The key to relapse prevention is identifying the triggers and cravings which could jeopardize your sobriety and find the tools that can relieve you from the insanity that addiction causes. Keeping yourself out of harm’s way is important and can be achieved through changing people and places which bring up the thoughts that provokes you to want to drink and use. The logical answer may be to stay away from those things that prompt the feeling of wanting to consume the substances that you know are harmful, but that is not always a possibility for someone who suffers from substance abuse.

Valentine’s Day is one of those times that could be a slippery slope into loneliness and isolation since the day is symbolic of love and togetherness. You may also relate holidays as a time to party and celebrate even though every day is an excuse to drink and use for someone who has an addiction. Now is a perfect time for you to change your perception on how to observe Valentine’s Day and ideas to do it.

A movie and dinner.

This classic date does not have to be a date at all. You could go with a love interest or with a friend. No one will know the difference in 2019 and honestly, no one should really care. Go see a movie that will inspire a great conversation over dinner. If you are worried about temptations to drink, find a theatre that does not serve alcohol, and either decline the drink menu at the restaurant or turn the wine glass upside down to show that you are not interested in drinking.

A day date.

Not all activities have to be at night. Go to lunch, the zoo, run a morning Valentine’s 5K, or a museum during the day if you wish to stay safe from the usual night drinking or using rituals.

A picnic.

Putting together a picnic basket for a Valentines picnic helps you to have better control of your environment and what you will serve. Sandwiches and snacks along with nonalcoholic drinks are pretty easy to gather to help you relax on a day that might otherwise be stressful for you.

A personal chef.

Staying at home might be on the menu to help you maintain your temptations. Whip up a meal for you and some guests who you invite over and use your culinary skills to please their palates.

Valentine’s Day is just one of those holidays that could bring about feelings of abandonment or rejection which may be directly tied to your addiction. Use these activities to gauge something that you would enjoy so that in return you can have love on this day – for yourself.  

Here at The Kimberly Center, we offer a variety of recovery programs that are designed to help our clients with their substance abuse. We treat our clients on an individual basis to help them transition into a new life of sobriety.

Call us today to begin: 855-4-KCENTER (855-452-3683)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *