15 Ways To Stay Sober Throughout The Holidays - AAZ

Alcohol Anonymous Zimbabwe took the time to list these 15 tips to help those who want to stay away from adult beverages and sober up the entire time during the festive season where food and beverages will be in abundance.

Here are the 15 tips to stay sober this festive season, in case you want to:

1. Tell a reliable person about your desire to stop drinking. This may hinder you from sneaking away to have a drink.
2. Stay busy.
3. Bring your own non-alcoholic drinks. This is important to remember if you think that only alcoholic drinks will be served.
4. Choose only to attend parties you will really enjoy. This can limit the stress of not drinking and will reduce the chances that you will.
5. Avoid attending parties with alcohol.
6. Let someone know where you will be. Tell your sponsor or a trusted friend when you attend a holiday get-togethers and have them call you to check up.
7. Take along a friend. An A.A. friend or someone else you trust will help in keeping you from drinking alcohol.
8. Tell the host you may have to leave early. If you are worried about feeling awkward leaving a party early, tell the host ahead of time that you may not be able to stay the entire night.
9. Show up at a later time. If you have been invited to a dinner party, showing up shortly before dinner may limit the amount of pressure to drink beforehand.
10. At parties, choose a non-alcoholic drink like water or soda. Alcohol is not required to enjoy the holidays.
11. Ask if any food dishes contain alcohol, especially if it is uncooked alcohol.
12. Have a backup plan. Call a friend and let them know you may need a ride or someone to hang out with that evening if the party you are attending is too tempting.
13. Attend an A.A. meeting or party so that you can find support in fellow members.
14. Schedule other plans. Figure out something else to do on the nights you are invited to parties where alcohol will be served. This will keep you from deciding to go last minute!
15. Remember that choosing not to drink is not rude. Forcing someone to drink is rude.

Source: Alcohol Anonymous Zimbabwe Facebook