Joy, love, family, and connection are some of the chief cornerstones of the holiday season. While you may go to great lengths to share gifts, hugs, and food with your loved ones to celebrate the holidays, an unintentional lack of effort in supporting your sober loved ones may be festering beneath the surface. Know that your loved ones in recovery notice when they are overlooked, and a lack of support can make it more challenging for them to maintain their sobriety. If someone in your life is enrolled in an alcohol addiction treatment program, you can show how much you care by providing extra support throughout the holidays.
New Start Recovery is here to help those in recovery and their loved ones enjoy the holidays without interfering with sobriety. Whether you need to enroll in a more intensive treatment program or are looking for ideas for relapse prevention, such as sober holiday drink recipes, we are here to support you. Reach out to us at *DM_DirectNumber format=period linked=true* anytime you need guidance on sober living during the holidays.
Serve Nonalcoholic Holiday Drinks at Your Events
Many people have been able to achieve and maintain long-term sobriety. Others are still working at it, with some being more susceptible to relapse than others. And some still are not quite ready to accept that they may have a substance abuse problem. More than 15 million people in the U.S. suffer from alcohol use disorder (AUD). The holiday season can be one of the most difficult times of year for a person in recovery to stay sober.
While you cannot assume total responsibility for a loved one’s sobriety, you can focus on the things you can do this holiday season to support your loved one’s sobriety. One way you can show support is by providing festive nonalcoholic holiday drinks at your gatherings. It is a small gesture, but it will go a long way toward making your loved one feel cared about and understood.
Some people may openly and proudly admit to being in recovery, while others would like to remain anonymous. If you are unsure how comfortable your loved one is with others knowing they are in recovery, you do not need to explain why you provide mocktails at your holiday celebrations. When in doubt, discretion is best.
5 Nonalcoholic Holiday Drinks to Make (Sober) Spirits Bright
Try these fun and festive sober holiday drink recipes to allow all of your guests to celebrate together without triggering a relapse:
- Sparkling Cranberry Pomegranate Drink: This Sparkling Cranberry Pomegranate Drink is a no-brainer to include at any holiday event because of how easy it is to make. The base of this mocktail consists of cranberry pomegranate juice, so it is perfect for throwing together quickly.
- Christmas Morning Punch: This Christmas Morning Punch does not need to be reserved for the morning, as it pairs perfectly with breakfast, dinner, or dessert. The juice combination makes it a perfect option for kids as well.
- Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate: New Start is located in Southern California and met with beautiful weather year-round, but we know much of the country dreads the cold of fall and winter. Try warming up your loved ones with this Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate. It is made in a slow cooker to throw the ingredients together and let it cook itself.
- Caramel Apple Pie Mocktail: The Caramel Apple Pie Mocktail is a nice option for holiday party guests who need a break from all the pumpkin and cranberry drinks that have become beacons of the fall and winter months.
- Thin Mint Shot: It can get pretty bleak watching others take jello shot after jello shot at holiday parties. Putting out nonalcoholic shots could allow your sober loved ones to join in. These nonalcoholic shots are made with Girl Scout Thin Mints, but almost any chocolate mint cookies will work. Keep in mind that if your loved one is in early recovery, the action of shooting nonalcoholic holiday drinks may be triggering.
Other Ways to Support Your Sober Loved Ones During the Holidays
Here are a few more tips for supporting your loved one in recovery this holiday season:
- Do not ask why someone is not drinking – It is never appropriate to ask someone why they are not drinking. If a person wishes to remain anonymous in their recovery or does not want the spotlight on that part of their life, the question can be awkward and stressful. On that same note, if you know your loved one is sober, it is not your place to share that information with other friends or family members. Managing sobriety is a personal journey. If your loved one wants to explain why they opted to enjoy nonalcoholic holiday drinks this year, they will do so independently.
- Make nonalcoholic options easily available – Crafting nonalcoholic holiday drinks may seem too laborious, especially if you have to prepare an entire holiday feast for your extended family. That does not mean you cannot still create a supportive environment for your sober loved ones. Setting out an easy nonalcoholic drink station with juices, sodas, or nonalcoholic sparkling cider is a good alternative to full-blown holiday mocktails.
Part of the recovery journey is learning to say no to temptation. Your sober loved ones may be well-versed in managing triggers, and they may be experts at politely declining alcohol during the holidays. However, that does not mean that you should not still foster a supportive environment. Everyone deserves to feel the love, comfort, and magic of this festive season.
New Start Recovery: Helping Make the Season Merry and Bright with Holiday Mocktails
If your loved one is struggling with substance abuse and ready to get help, our addiction counselors are available 24/7 by phone at *DM_DirectNumber format=period linked=true*.