Four Out-of-the-Box Ideas For Ringing in a Sober New Year 

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Four Out-of-the-Box Ideas For Ringing in a Sober New Year 

The new year is fast approaching, and you’ve worked hard at your recovery. As you reflect upon your sobriety journey, you realize that New Year’s Eve is going to look very different this time around. Long gone are the days of partying and waking up January 1st, wondering what the hell happened the night before. You worked so hard this year and cherish your new life in recovery, but this holiday is filled with temptations and old memories – putting even the most seasoned person in sobriety at risk for relapse. As you start thinking about what you’d like to do to ring in the new year, you may be searching for tips on how to celebrate this holiday without engaging in the traditional debauchery. Here are four out-of-the-box ideas to spend this New Year’s Eve sober, healthy, and happy.

Attend or Volunteer at a Sober New Year’s Event

More and more sober NYE events are popping up all over the country. REMIX’s 3rd Annual Resolution: Sober New Years Eve Party in New Hampshire is just one example of this popular trend. The event is filled with inspirational stories of people who have overcome addiction as well as music, food, coffee bar, prizes, and games. Investigate your local community or a city to see if there are any sober events in your area. Another idea is to attend or volunteer at an around-the-clock Alcohol Anonymous meeting, otherwise known as “alcathons” this New Year’s Eve.You don’t have to be alone, and being around others who truly understand how you are feeling and what you are going through can be the greatest gift you give yourself this holiday season. Other recovery support groups, such as SMART Recovery, also have additional meetings and events during New Years. There are even sober bars in cities like New York and Austin,Texas that only serve hand-crafted mocktails, or as one NYC bar says, we are “All Bar, No Booze.” If you are traveling to a major city this holiday, you may want to scope out these bars and see if they have an NYE event or New Year’s Eve day brunch.

Sober New Year’s Eve Party 

Recovery doesn’t have to be boring, and having a sober NYE party can bring some serious fun back into this holiday. Love the 80’s? Try having an 80’s-themed party complete with a costume contest, 80’s movies playing in the background, yummy food, the best 80’s music with karaoke, classic old-school board games (Twister or Operation anyone?), and a signature non-alcoholic beverage named after a famous band from the era. Look on Pinterest or Etsy for other fresh NYE-themed party ideas, recipes, and holiday mocktails. 

The Importance of Support  

Don’t have the energy to throw a party at home? Then gather some friends and go to a local comedy show, ice or roller-skating rink, indoor rock climbing, an escape room, low-key fireworks event, or maybe meet at the beach early for a sunset bon-fire filled with beach games, lobsters, and s’mores. Maybe ask a friend if they’d like to host a sober poker night or other fun game night on New Year’s Eve. You’d be surprised at how many people really don’t care if they drink, are more health conscious, or are just done with the crowds.. And honestly, it’s a good idea to be with supportive people on this triggering holiday – so gather some friends/family and start brainstorming sober NYE ideas!

Wellness Retreats and Inspirational Events

If you like the idea of getting healthy, try a wellness retreat to bring in the new year. These retreats come in a variety of excursions, trip lengths, and financial packages to fit all tastes and budgets. Most retreats offer beautiful settings, healthy meals, yoga, meditation, inspirational workshops, outdoor adventures, and even spa treatments. However, there are other wellness vacations offering itineraries not often found in traditional retreats. An excellent place to start your journey is The Sober Traveler or the Travel Channel where you can find these specialized holiday wellness retreats all over the world. 

Though some retreats may include alcohol, you may request an alcohol-free room (as well as an alcohol-free package option) or choose a retreat geared towards those in recovery. Some excursions like the ones offered at Casa Hamaca even offer 12-step programs and volunteering in addition to Mayan tours, cooking classes, shamanic healing courses, and other unique cultural activities. Make sure your get-away is not all-inclusive, as those packages tend to include alcohol at every turn. And if you can’t find a retreat or just don’t have the budget for one, many cities offer New Year’s Eve yoga, meditation, lantern/lights festivals, or other inspirational events to usher in a healthier new you.

Check Yourself Into Rehab

For those recovering from addiction and substance use disorders, this is not the most wonderful time of the year; in fact, it can be very painful and full of temptation. Many people in recovery find themselves emotionally bottoming-out, especially with all of the holiday triggers surrounding them. To deal with this, some individuals decide to check back into rehab to avoid relapse. While others in active addiction feel it’s time to start their journey towards sobriety. Whatever the reason, checking yourself into rehab is one of the best ways to get on the road to recovery and begin the new year with a new life and hopeful outlook. If this sounds like you – you’re not alone. If you or someone you love has a drug or alcohol use disorder, contact The Kimberly Center today at 855-452-3683. Begin the year sober, clear-headed, and ready to start a new life today. 

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