How To Enjoy The Holidays Without Alcohol

It’s 2:00 pm, and your Aunt Mary is serving appetizers in one hand while holding a white wine spritzer in the other. The holidays make it so much easier for people to drink alcohol earlier in the day and all day because it is a “special occasion.” 

Whether you’re someone who is an alcoholic or someone who seems to get too drunk around the holidays, this can be a major stressor. You’re often left with shame or guilt for behaving uncharacteristically once you hit the bottle.

A study by American Addiction Centers found that for those in recovery from addiction, feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression ― all potential triggers for relapse ― were more common during the holidays.

The holidays are a time for friends and family to get together and enjoy each other’s company.

Unfortunately, they are also a time of great temptation due to the availability of alcohol. 

Unsurprisingly, alcohol is the most commonly used mind-altering substance in the United States. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reports that over half of all American adults drank alcohol at the time of the 2015 national survey.

Having a drink with dinner is common, and millions of adults regularly enjoy alcohol responsibly.

If you try and try, and you do not seem to be one of those people, it may be time to consider stopping drinking.  

How Do You Enjoy The Holidays Without Alcohol?

Avoiding alcohol during the holidays may feel virtually impossible to you right now. However, follow these tips and you’ll find it may be easier than you thought to enjoy the moment alcohol-free.

Always Have A Non-Alcoholic Beverage In Your Hand

 Leaving your hand empty could make you think about how easy it would be to go over to that open bottle of wine and pour yourself a glass. Be sure to have a nonalcoholic beverage in your hand at all times.

Maybe you even want to up your game by bringing ingredients for mock-tails. People who drink can use the mixers for alcohol and you can have something fun and tasty to drink to keep your mind off of alcohol. 

Help The Host

If standing around with others who are drinking makes it too tempting, help your host with the party.

Helping your host set up and clean up is a nice way to show our gratitude for being invited. This is also a great way to keep you occupied and away from temptation.

High-tale It Out Of There

Once the dessert course is out, people are usually pretty buzzed by now. The evening may even continue past the dessert. When people are drinking alcohol, it’s easy to lose track of time and stay later than if they were sober. You don’t have to because this could equal more time to contemplate if you should just have “one drink.”

Once desert is out, enjoy a piece of pie and then politely say you’re tired and go home. You’ve made it through the evening and you can pat yourself on the back. 

You Know What They Say: People, Places and, Things 

There are certain people, places, and things that will be a trigger for you. They will remind you of drinking, put alcohol right in your face, or the opportunity to drink maybe just too easy. Remind yourself this doesn’t have to be forever.

However, don’t be afraid to cancel or make up an excuse for why you cannot go. People may be disappointed, but you will be much more disappointed in yourself if you knew you were taking a risk and then gave in to the temptation of alcohol.  

Get Out Of Your Head

Don’t overthink it. Your mind may be hyper-focused on not having a drink. If you get lost in your thoughts, this could equal an anxious, unpleasant evening, fighting the battle not to have a drink. You may win, but this does not equal a good time.

Be present. Try your best to stay out of your head by asking others questions. You’ll have less time to think and more time to listen.

Also, your loved ones will appreciate you taking an interest in them. This may have been something you often did not do when you drank all evening. 

Remind Yourself Why You Stopped Drinking

Don’t Be Alone

The holidays can be such a joyous time for some. For others, it may be a time of sadness, loneliness, and regret. Stay as busy as possible- Volunteer at a soup kitchen, church or, local food bank. Make plans with friends or family as much as possible. 

Do not make the mistake of pushing away warning signs that you may drink. There is help out there and there’s nothing wrong with asking for help.

Let Aunt Mary enjoy her white wine spritzer, but you don’t need it.

Ways To Say No To Drinking Alcohol

You may not be comfortable telling people you have an issue with alcohol. That is completely you’re right. In this case, it’s helpful to have some go-to responses prepared ahead of time in the instance that people ask you why you’re not drinking. Try out some of these:

“I’m Okay, thank you” (Because you don’t need to explain yourself!)

“I get a headache from drinking.”

“I’m doing a cleanse.”

“No thanks, I have to be up early tomorrow.”

“I’m cutting calories and I’d rather eat.”

“I’m driving, but thanks.” (Try and argue with that one!)

Helpful Resources To Enjoy The Holidays Without Alcohol

The website Rethinking Drinking has a helpful coping strategy resource in which you can list your triggers and strategies to avoid drinking.  This site is a valuable resource for looking at research-based information about alcohol use and to help you consider how much is too much. 

You don’t have to be alone. Here is a list of support groups, provided by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, that could change your life for the better.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 212-870-3400

Moderation Management 

Secular Organizations for Sobriety 323-666-4295

SMART Recovery 440-951-5357

Groups for family and friends

Al-Anon Family Groups 888-425-2666 for meetings

Adult Children of Alcoholics 310-534-1815

Take control. Enjoy the holidays without alcohol and on your own terms.