When you or your partner get a major promotion at work, it’s someone’s birthday or you make it through a challenging week, it may once have seemed natural for you to reach for alcohol or drugs to help you commemorate the occasion. However, once you are pursuing your sobriety, intoxicating substances are off-limits. How can you celebrate responsibly, without putting yourself in danger of relapsing? Here are five ideas. 

1. Go Skating

If you’re looking for a way to have fun while burning calories, head to a local rink and go roller skating or ice skating. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t skated since you were a kid; indeed, skating can make you feel younger by bringing back memories of lacing up a pair of rental skates and heading out there.

2. Treat Yourself to Something

Even if you don’t have a “shop-’til-you-drop” philosophy, you can probably think of some splurge-worthy items that have been on your wish list, such as a curated clothing stylist, skin care products, spa treatments, a weekend getaway or hiring a personal trainer. Indulge yourself and do something exclusively for you – you’ve earned it.

3. Have an At-Home Dance Party

Going to a traditional bar or dance club can be triggering, especially in early recovery. You can control the environment if you create a dance party in your living room. Create a dance playlist, or find one online. Then, stock up on snacks and invite some close friends over for a throw-down. You don’t have to feel self-conscious about strangers watching you, and you can reap the many mental health benefits of dancing.

4. Eat a Special Meal

Is a trendy restaurant in town racking up rave reviews? There’s no time like the present to splurge on a multi-course meal. Being alcohol-free will save you cash (and calories) for whatever you prefer to nosh on, whether that’s a Thai extravaganza, a surf-and-turf spectacular or an Italian family-style meal with plenty of salad and garlic bread to spare. No matter what you choose, using mealtime mindfulness can help you enjoy every bite more.

5. Get out of Town

If you’ve dreamed of going to Hawaii, Paris, Tokyo, Cairo, Rio de Janeiro or some other exotic destination, there’s sure to be at least one fancy getaway on your wishlist. Do you need a better excuse to get away? Whether you envision traveling alone or going with people from your sober support network, travel broadens your horizons and can help your mental health in so many ways.

Enjoy the Benefits of Your Sober Lifestyle

Now that you’re sober, it’s easy to appreciate the benefits of avoiding intoxicating substances at special events. For example, you won’t have to worry about a hangover the next morning, forgetting about anything that happened or securing a designated driver to take you home. If there will be kids and young adults at any gathering you are planning, you also have the advantage of teaching those vulnerable people to avoid the influence of alcohol and drugs, which might make them more likely to steer clear of substance misuse later in life.

To learn more about our continuum of care for women struggling with substance misuse, contact us at Canyon Crossing today. Our admissions team can verify your insurance coverage and explain our unique features that help you center yourself and find a new path.