Tips Given to Stay Sober This Independence Day

Published by admin on Tue, 06/27/2023 - 4:29pm

The July Fourth weekend is an incredibly festive time. Millions of American families celebrate freedom and independence. People are coming together to have barbecues, fireworks, days at the beach and festivals. July Fourth is also America’s top beer-drinking holiday. Over $1 billion is estimated to be spent on beer over the weekend.

This can be challenging for people in recovery from alcoholism or drug addiction. For example, environments that promote binge drinking are a recipe for disaster, creating relapse. Statistically, 22 percent of adults over 18 in South Dakota binge drink at least once per month.

Fortunately, there are practical ways to help anyone stay sober, avoid relapse, and enjoy the Fourth of July weekend.

“It’s generally the environments that promote binge drinking or drug use that can lead people to relapse over holiday weekends. It’s a good idea to have a plan in place,” said Marcel Gemme of Addicted.org.

Consider some of the following tips to stay sober this Independence Day:

Know and identify relapse triggers. This could be environments, people, places or anything that could trigger a relapse. Knowing these triggers makes it easier to avoid them or manage them. In addition, having a healthy outlet for negative emotions or feelings is beneficial. This can be especially important for anyone new to recovery.
Travel with a sober friend. It’s ok to bring sober friends to parties or attend barbecues where alcohol is not being served. Other options include bringing non-alcoholic drinks or mocktails; this can help avoid those pesky relatives who insist you have a drink in your hand. Countless people choose sobriety and choose not to drink; it does not mean the end of fun.
Avoid drinking games and environments that promote binge drinking; this will always lead to disaster.
Have an exit strategy in place. Set yourself up so you can accomplish this easily and quickly if you have to leave. It’s ok to leave parties, and it is also ok to turn down invitations.
Finally, have support in place when needed, especially if you are new to recovery. Lean on this support, and do not hesitate to ask for help.

Independence Day is about celebrating freedom. Being free from the chains of addiction is something to cherish. Make this July Fourth weekend yours; create new memories and traditions. Have fun, spend quality time with family and friends, and, more importantly, celebrate the freedom of America.

Michael Leach has spent most of his career as a healthcare professional specializing in Substance Use Disorder and addiction recovery. He is a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant and contributor to the healthcare website Recovery Begins.