It’s no secret that recovering from addiction is a process, and some of the world’s most popular celebrities have also struggled with substance abuse. Here are a few recovery quotes to serve as motivation:

1)  “I wouldn’t have been able to have access to myself or other people, or even been able to take in other people if I hadn’t changed my life … I never would have been able to take care of my father the way I did when he was sick.”— Bradley Cooper

A renowned American actor and filmmaker, Bradley Cooper has been sober for more than 15 years and has helped many prominent celebrities in their sobriety journey, such as Ben Affleck and Brad Pitt.

2)  “My recovery from drug addiction is the single greatest accomplishment of my life… but it takes work — hard, painful work.”— Jamie Lee Curtis

Jamie Lee Curtis is an actress, author, and Golden Globe winner. Jamie is very open about her rehab journey, citing her 22 years of sobriety as one of her proudest achievements after battling substance and alcohol abuse for nearly a decade.

3)  “Being in recovery has given me everything of value that I have in my life.”— Rob Lowe

Rob Lowe is a prominent actor, producer, and director who made his debut at 15. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Lowe stated rehab was the most impactful change in his sobriety journey.

4)  “I was going to lose it all. It was like if I don’t choose this moment to do the right thing and do something that’s going to give me life, all of the things I’m scared of losing, I’m going to lose anyway.”— Keith Urban

Keith Urban is a renowned singer, platinum-selling songwriter, and record producer. In an issue of Rolling Stone, he opened up about his battle with addiction and credited his wife Nicole Kidman for saving his life. Today, Urban is sober and continuing his love and success for country music.

5)  “Life is about becoming a better version of yourself.”— Lucy Hale

Best known for a wide array of television roles, Lucy Hale is a TV personality that has highlighted her battle with alcohol. Hale has drawn inspiration from fitness to refresh her career and begin sobriety.

6)  “You had all these men sitting around being open and honest in a way I have never heard. It was this safe space where there was little judgment, and therefore little judgment of yourself…It was actually really freeing just to expose the ugly sides of yourself.”— Brad Pitt

Perhaps the most notable of all listed here, Brad Pitt has been a powerhouse in the film industry for over three decades. Pitt recognized that he was using substances as blockages for deeper issues. After a tumultuous few years, including a divorce from Angelina Jolie, Pitt spent a year and a half in recovery. The actor had high praise for the experience, stating it was “freeing” to open up about his experiences.

Ready to start your recovery?

We hope these alcohol recovery quotes serve as fuel to begin your journey toward recovery. Here at Stairway to Freedom, we understand that taking those first few steps into sobriety can be intimidating. It may feel as though there is much to overcome, but we want to help make your journey easier.

Get in touch to learn more about the services Stairway to Freedom provides for recovering addicts.

If you’ve recently transitioned into a sober lifestyle, the holiday season can bring upon certain anxieties. It is normal to feel nervous or pressured when around substances, but it is important to remember to say strong and know that there are people and resources around who can help you. Below are a few different ways to help you on your road to recovery.

Plan ahead 

If you know a big holiday party is coming up, make sure to plan how you will attend. Potential options include being the sober driver, bringing a sober companion, paying close attention to relapse triggers.

Surround yourself with the right people

At any event, there will be people who bring out the best in you and people who can bring upon stress, anxieties, or other emotions that can lead to you taking a drink. Be sure to hang around the people who are aware of your recovery and those who will help you stay on track.

Improving your self-care

Be sure to keep yourself healthy during the holiday season so that you can keep any potential relapse opportunities away. Doing things like taking proper nutritional steps, exercising, and getting on a better sleeping schedule can help you in your battle against substance abuse. Other forms of self-care are meditation, self-reflection, and spending time with those you love. Doing things like this can go a long way in improving your overall health.

New traditions

As you work on your new, healthier self, it can be a good idea to create new holiday traditions that involve helping others with the same issues that have haunted you in the past. New traditions can involve hosting your own sober party, hanging out with other sober friends, or volunteering at a rehab center.

Make sobriety your highest priority

While attending a holiday party is perfectly feasible, it is important to straighten your priorities and put certain things in front of others. If you’ve battled an alcohol addiction or an addiction to any other substance, you probably feel that maintaining your new lifestyle is one of the most important, if not the most important, aspect of your life. Ultimately, any party or event is optional, and if you really feel that going will bring out your old self, consider staying home. You’ll feel much better about yourself and your recovery the next day.

Get the tools you need to stay sober this holiday season

If you need a helping hand, Chicago’s sober living community, Stairway to Freedom, can provide the support you need. Contact us today to learn more about how we help recovering addicts stay clean after rehab.

After undergoing intensive treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, sometimes long term support isn’t available. When individuals in recovery have an abrupt transition from rehab into day-to-day life, they experience new hurdles managing their sobriety alone. Long term support with recovery could come in aftercare, follow-ups, alumni services, or continued therapy.

Sober living homes are a positive environment that offers peer support and can act as the “gap” between inpatient care and life at home.

With the structure that sober living communities provide in combination with their built-in support network, residents are better prepared to transition into their everyday responsibilities and have a better chance of maintaining their sobriety.

Sober living communities are great for people who have been through rehab on one or more occasions, that don’t have a support system at home, are generally resistant to treatment, or have medical or mental health issues in addition to addiction issues.

When in a sober living community, residents are encouraged or even required to attend meetings and participate in a 12-step program. Social support is the heart of sober living communities. Studies show that having a place where you can share stories or receive mentorship is incredibly influential to long term recovery.

Studies on Long-Term Recovery and Sober Living

In a recent study of individuals in long-term recovery from substance abuse, 30% of participants cited that having support from their peers was a significant experience that helped them start and maintain their recovery. It was also reported that the majority of individuals in long-term recovery commit to attending meetings and continue to be involved with a 12-step program.

Having access to 12-step programs is vital to individuals in recovery or promoting their long-term recovery because these groups engage members for a longer time than intensive treatment programs. Being part of a group with shared experiences also provides a necessary buffer to stress, helps participants with coping strategies, and connects them with role models as they continue working in their recovery.

Sober living communities themselves and their impact on residents have also been examined. The National Center for Biotechnology Information studied 300 individuals that entered 2 sober living facilities. Surpassing the national Institute on Drug Abuse recommended a stay of at least 90 days, residents also significantly reduced and/or stopped their substance use between baseline and 6 months. These same improvements were noted even after 12-18 months. Other notable successes were improvements in employment, psychiatric symptoms, and arrests.

Relapses for drug addictions are between 40-60%. However, factors that lead to relapses like isolation, failure to deal with new or increasing stresses, or complacency can be avoided by being in a supportive environment like a sober living community. As sober living communities have a zero-tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol, the longer someone remains abstinent, the better chance they have at avoiding a relapse. By staying in a sober living community, residents can develop healthier habits and gain more effective communication and coping skills that promote long term recovery.

Start Your Sober Living Journey With Stairway to Freedom

The path to sobriety is dynamic. Each individual must determine their motivators and choose the treatment and social circles to help them reach their goals. Take the next step in your recovery by consulting with a Stairway to Freedom counselor.

Navigating the world of dating is tough. From mixed signals to heartbreak, there’s a lot to consider before jumping into the pool of potential suitors. For those recovering from addiction, the process of dating can be even more complicated due to worries surrounding temptation and relapse.

If you’re practicing sober living and interested in dating again, don’t stress too much. Dating while staying sober is entirely possible. Just make sure to keep a few essential things in mind.

Put Your Sobriety First

As a general rule of thumb, most experts agree that those who are in the process of recovering from addiction should wait at least a year post-recovery to begin the dating process again.

During the first year of recovery, there are a few things you can do to ensure you’re putting your sobriety first:

• Stay away from risky situations that may cause you to relapse.
• Practice self-care by regularly exercising, eating healthy, and getting plenty of rest.
• Consider utilizing a sober living facility if you’re in need of additional support.

Before beginning the dating process, the best thing you can do for yourself is allow the proper time to heal. Really pay attention to where you are on your journey of self-acceptance and recovery. Once you feel that you’ve established your sobriety as a top priority, starting and sustaining healthy relationships becomes a lot easier.

Get Creative with Sober Dating Activities

So, you’re finally ready to date but are worried about doing so while staying sober. Take a deep breath and remember: it’s normal for there to be some anxiety.

After all, it’s not uncommon for first dates to consist of going out to a restaurant or bar for drinks. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to enjoy the rituals of dating while staying sober.

A few sober dating activities to consider:

• Visit a local museum
• Grab a cup of coffee at your favorite cafe
• Wander a bookstore
• Take a cooking class together
• Go for a hike
• Sit in on an improv or comedy show

Whatever you decide to do, make sure to stay firm on your boundaries. If someone suggests an idea that makes you uncomfortable, vocalize your concerns. Remember, your sobriety should always be at the forefront of your decisions when dating.

Rely on Your Network of Support

Navigating the highs and lows of dating can be difficult even during the best of times. For those in recovery, staying connected to a support network can help with codependency or relapse worries. Speaking to a therapist, reaching out to friends, or getting a sponsor are all ways you can garner support while dating.

Always make sure to be open with your network about your concerns around dating and relationships. They can provide guidance, a fresh perspective, and—most importantly—support.

Need More Guidance? Stairway Can Help.

Whether you’re navigating the world of sober dating or need a helping hand, Chicago’s sober living community, Stairway to Freedom, can provide the support you need.

Contact us today to learn more about how we help recovering addicts stay clean after rehab.

Recovering from addiction is never easy. It’s an ongoing process that requires a level of introspection that can stir up uncomfortable emotions. One of the most powerful emotions those recovering from addiction may suffer from is that of shame.

Addiction & The Source of Shame

Several things can cause feelings of shame. Perhaps you’re feeling shameful about things done while grappling with addiction. Or maybe the shame you’re feeling stems from the events that led to your addiction in the first place.

Whatever the cause, overcoming shame is necessary to ensure a successful and sustained recovery. Fortunately, there are a few things that can be done to alleviate feelings of shame and encourage healing.

Understand the Difference Between Shame and Guilt

The first step of overcoming shame in recovery is understanding the difference between shame and guilt.

Guilt is when someone feels remorse for something they’ve done in the past. In contrast, shame cuts more in-depth and is when a person feels as if they’re an inherently bad person.

Some of the telltale signs of shame include:

• Self-blame
• Anger
• Ruminating over past transgressions
• Negative Self-Talk

It’s essential to recognize the difference between these two emotions as they can have different impacts on the recovery process.

Guilt is sometimes a good thing to feel, as it can make us consider how our actions have impacted others. With shame, its effects on the recovery process can be counterproductive. For example, if someone feels shameful, they may be less likely to reach out for help. Shame can also lead to uncomfortable feelings that may result in a relapse.

Once you’ve confirmed that what you’re feeling is shame and not guilt, the next step is to start looking deeper into the cause of these feelings—this doesn’t have to happen alone.

Find a Safe Space

One of the most damaging aspects of shame is that it can make us feel like we have to keep our most troubling worries a secret. In reality, the less we talk about shame, the more likely it is to fester. A powerful tool that can help combat this desire for secrecy is empathy.

If you’re suffering from shame, try finding a safe space where you can openly work through your feelings. A safe space can be several things, such as a place for sober living, a therapist, a support group, or even a family member.

Talking about shame within the context of a safe space allows our thoughts to be viewed from another person’s fresh perspective. In time, pushing feelings of shame into the open can help weaken its hold.

Learn to Forgive Yourself

Self-forgiveness is one of the most powerful tools on the road to recovery. While it’s difficult to internalize, it’s important to remember that everyone makes mistakes, and everyone has regrettable things they’ve done.

A few things you can do if you struggle with self-forgiveness:

• Reach out to those you might’ve hurt and ask to make amends.
• View your past transgressions as learning opportunities as opposed to unforgivable errors.
• Remind yourself that you’re doing the best you can and that mistakes are an inevitable part of the process.

If you still find yourself struggling with self-forgiveness after actively trying, consider reaching out to a therapist or a sober living facility. A trained professional can help you become equipped with the tools needed for self-forgiveness and acceptance.

Need More Information on Overcoming Shame in Recovery?

Working through feelings of shame is a complicated process, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Our team is highly trained at Stairway Sober Living to help recovering addicts work through their pain and move past it.

Please contact us to learn more about how we can help build a shame-free foundation for your recovery.

This is a completely unprecedented time in history.

COVID-19 has shifted our way of life and challenged our own fragility. As the world migrated inside in order to shield themselves from the virus, it presented many untold consequences and challenges. Namely, sobriety.

With isolation, depression, and loneliness seeping in as quarantine carries on, the more likely addiction relapse is to occur. 

Maintaining sobriety is difficult, to begin with. Introducing other problematic elements such as isolation makes temptation inevitable. Nevertheless, there are ways to combat these relapse triggers and ultimately help you take back control.

Monitor Your Physiological Responses

Recognition is a crucial step in combatting temptation and gaining a stronghold over addiction. The longer we go on isolating ourselves, the more likely we are to feel the effects of depression and anxiety. Often this can lead to physical changes including but not limited to sleeping trouble, worsening eating habits, or even decreased immune function. While you may not consciously be aware, these degrading effects may still be present.

Take a step back and assess your own situation. Have you been living by yourself throughout quarantine? Have you been experiencing more anxiety, stress, and or depression than normal? Have you found yourself beginning to lose control of your own sobriety? If any of these questions apply to you, consider seeking comfort from family and friends. Not only will this help fill the void of socialization, but these people who care about your well-being will hold you accountable.

Tips for Staying Sober

Fortunately, there are many amazing resources available to you for maintaining your sobriety. The first being sober living homes.

Seek Built-In Support with Sober Living Homes

If you believe you or a friend has relapsed or come close to, these are great options for sober recovery. “A sober living home (sometimes called a halfway house) operates as a bridge between an inpatient facility and the real world. For a lot of people in recovery, moving into a sober living home after treatment makes the difference between going back to their old habits or continuing on the path of sobriety (Juergens, 2020).” They provide a safe and supportive place where addicts and alcoholics can start their journey from active addiction to sober living.

A great thing about these homes is that you can come and go as you please. You are not restricted to the campus. While there are some rules you must still abide by, they allow for a more informal recovery process and make you feel more in control of your life. Here at Stairway, we make Chicago sober living our number one priority.

Video Chat with Your Sponsor

While COVID has limited our ability to communicate face-to-face, there are still other options available. Applications like Skype, Zoom, and Facetime allow you to still have a similar experience. A sobriety sponsor understands the struggle you are going through and is intended to be there whenever doubts or concerns arise. Most importantly, they are to be a compassionate and sympathetic friend. Together, you can work through your concerns and come up with solutions tailored for you.

If you find yourself slightly overwhelmed and or beginning to slip, hopping on a video call with your sponsor is a good way to find support and combat your challenges to sobriety. For help finding a sponsor, be sure to attend your local AA meetings and establish rapport with others. Once relationships have been established and built, you will be able to choose a sponsor that best meets your needs.

Let a Therapist/Counselor Help Guide You

Counselors and therapists are another amazing resource at your disposal. It is important to find one that specializes in addiction recovery and treatment. They have experience with others similar to yourself and have extensive training and background in treating these kinds of issues.

Make sure to ask around in order to find a therapist that best suits your needs. Often times, word of mouth is the best resource. If you find yourself not having any luck, then take to the internet and do a bit of research on therapists in your area that can be of assistance. Having an unbiased person to let out your frustrations and setbacks can be very liberating in itself. So, definitely consider therapy as an option.

Gain Control of YOUR Sobriety

There is no question that battling sobriety in the middle of a pandemic is no easy feat. It takes will power and determination to continue with sobriety in quarantine. However, thankfully, there are many resources available to you that can help manage your woes and assuage any fears and trepidation you may have.

Here at Stairway to Freedom, we understand that this is a difficult time. It may feel as though there is much to overcome, but we want to help make your journey through sobriety easier. Let us be your guide to Chicago sober living! Make sure to check out our recovery housing facilities and contact us for with any questions or concerns you may have!

Recognizing the warning signs of addiction isn’t as easy as you might think. When it comes to loved loves, we like to think a change in behavior and appearance would never go unnoticed, but that’s not always the case. With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the initial signs of addiction often go unnoticed more times than not.

Knowing the warning signs in advance is critical to avoid missing the initial indicators of addiction. Stairway to Freedom, a network of sober living housing in Chicago, has put together a list of some general signs of addiction as well as a few substance related addiction signs below.  

General Signals of Addiction

Addiction looks different from person to person. There is no single way for signs of addiction to present themselves, but there are a few general signs to look out for if you suspect a loved one is suffering from substance abuse.

The general addiction warning signs include, but are not limited to:

• Slurred speech
• Sudden disregard for personal hygiene
• Poor coordination
• Bloodshot eyes
• Sudden weight loss or weight gain
• Aggressive or violent behavior
• Nausea and vomiting
• Paranoia

While there are general warning signs that signal addictive behavior, various substances will produce their own set of symptoms and behavioral cues to look for.

All addictive substances can have fatal consequences, and the risk of overdose increases as time spent using increases. Take all warning signs seriously and seek action immediately.

Heroin Abuse Signs

Heroin warning signs include, but are not limited to:

• Constricted pupils for 4–5 hours
• Disorientation
• Shallow breathing
• Unkempt, dirty appearance
• Track marks on arms or other body parts
• Weight loss
• Stomach and muscle cramps or diarrhea
• Tremors

Cocaine Abuse Signs

Cocaine warning signs include, but are not limited to:

• Increased energy
• Restlessness
• Paranoia
• Elevated mood
• Anxiety
• Feeling invincible
• Excited speech
• Dilated pupils

Prescription Drug Abuse Signs

Prescription drug abuse warning signs include, but are not limited to:

• Insomnia
• Agitation
• Irritability
• Impulsive behavior
• Irregular heartbeat
• Restlessness
• High blood pressure
• Weight loss

What to do after Noticing the Warning Signs

Identifying the problem is only the first step. Addressing an addiction with the user is a sensitive subject that will need to be addressed with careful consideration. Bombarding an addict with accusations and anger will only drive them further down the road of addiction.

Prior to approaching concerns of a present addiction, gather a group of close friends and family members to provide support. Approach the topic in a calm and caring tone, reminding the addict that you love them no matter what, and want to help them on their journey to recovery.

Suggest a plan of action to help the addict on the road to recovery. Provide options for rehab centers, and aftercare facilities to promote recovery. Create a recovery plan for yourself too, and learn how to help a recovering addict.

Build A Foundation for Ongoing Recovery

Recovery doesn’t stop after rehab, it’s a constant battle that is made easier in the right environment. Contact Stairway to Freedom to learn more about the Chicago sober living home opportunities.

Recovering addiction patients just want to return to normal, but they often feel like friends and family are walking on eggshells creating an environment with added stress and anxiety. Intentions are usually in the right place, but often develop an uncomfortable environment for recovering addicts. Stairway to Freedom, a sober living community in Chicago, knows you just want to help, so here are tools from professionals and advice on how to help a recovering family or friend.

Educate Yourself on the Recovery Process

Coming into a situation educated and prepared is the best thing you can do for your recovering friends or family members. Recovery is a complicated process, and you won’t know much about how to help a recovering addict if you don’t know anything about it yourself.

Take some time to learn about both addiction and recovery, focusing on triggers, health issues, and the overall steps to a successful recovery.

Join a Support Group

Support groups aren’t just meant for those recovering. There are plenty of helpful groups and resources for those helping a recovering addict that can ease your own stress.

Even if you’ve spent the time to educate yourself, it’s easy to feel lost once you are in the thick of helping a recovering addict. Support groups are there to put you in contact with others in your situation who can guide you through the hard times.

Set Realistic Expectations

The road to recovery is never an easy drive. Don’t come in with an expectation that life is going to go back to normal now that your friend or relative is clean and sober. There is no quick fix or “cure all.” There will be highs and lows. You need to be supportive though every step of the journey. Even if that includes a relapse.

Reduce Stressors

The best way to help a recurring addict is to create as peaceful of an environment as possible, especially at the beginning of the recovery process. For newly recovering addicts, even minor slightest stressor can send them into a spiral leading right beach to addiction.

Instead of encouraging your friend or family member to jump right back into stressful work schedules and busy weekends, suggest participating in some stress-free activities to put them at ease. A few of the best stress alleviating activities include:

• Running
• Hiking
• Yoga
• Meditating
• Painting or drawing

Remove Temptations

Once you’ve created a stress-free environment, it’s time to create a temptation free environment. At the start of recovery, former addicts do not have the strength to resist constant temptation.

Helping a recovering addict means removing all alcohol and drugs from their home and social surroundings. If it’s not possible to create a temptation free environment in their current situation, consider suggesting a sober living community.

Looking for More Information on How to Help a Recovering Addict? 

At Stairway to Freedom, we help recovering addicts and alcoholics rebuild their lives and build a strong foundation for a successful and ongoing recovery by providing a safe and structured living environment.

Do you you or someone you know need a helping hand down the road to recovery? Get in touch to learn more about the services Stairway to Freedom provides for recovering addicts.

You’ve taken the first giant step and completed rehab to get your life back on track, but now that it’s back to the real world what do you do now? To succeed with a clean life after rehab, it’s important to get back into a normal routine.

Gaining a sense of normalcy all starts with finding a new job and while that might sound like an impossible task, there are plenty of job opportunities for recovering addicts.

Get your job search started on the right foot with these steps for finding employment after rehab.

Continue reading below…

 

Utilize Your Resources
You are not alone in finding employment after addiction, there are always people and services around to help guide you through the process.

Check with your local recovery center and ask about their employment resources. Many centers host workshops, and provide job posting lists to help you further your education and network with other working professionals who were in the same place once. You can also find many free podcasts and videos that talk through getting back into the workforce.

Adjust Expectations
Jobs for recovering addicts might not come easily, but it’s not impossible. You’ll need to go into the process with realistic expectations and a set of attainable goals, that might look different than what you were capable of before rehab.

Don’t get caught up in what you were qualified to do before, and consider this a fresh start. Staying open to the idea of starting from the bottom and working your way up will heighten your odds of finding employment after rehab. Any job is only as good as you make it, and with hard work and dedication, even the lowest level jobs can turn into a great career.

Don’t Feel Pressured to Overshare

It’s important to be honest when looking for a job after rehab, but don’t feel like you have to lead an interview trying to explain every detail of your addiction recovery journey. If you have a criminal past then you’ll need to divulge those details from the start, but other than that you are not legally obligated to discuss your history with addiction.

How much you choose to share is completely up to you. Whether it’s sharing everything so you can go in and be completely yourself, or being discreet with the hope of starting with a clean slate, there’s no wrong way to go about discussing your past.

Avoid High Stress Jobs
You might think you have your sobriety completely under control, but you would be surprised how things can spiral in stressful situations. While maybe you used to be able to handle a stressful work environment, remember there’s now more on your plate than ever before.

Research the work environment, and thoroughly read through all job expectations before agreeing to move forward. It’s best to aim for jobs that have set hours so can effectively manage both work and recovery.

Stay Focused on Recovery
Isolating yourself, and internalizing the pressure will only heighten the stress that comes with trying to juggle sobriety and work life.

While it’s important to find a job that provides a steady source of income, sobriety should always be a constant priority. Don’t use a job search, or work obligations as an excuse to miss meetings, or neglect the necessary recovery steps.

Whenever you need a helping hand, or someone to talk to, remember that your Stairway to Freedom Chicago sober living community is always here to help. Contact us now to learn more about our housing facilities, and the way we help recovering addicts stay clean after rehab.

While many look forward to holiday parties and end of the year celebrations, this time of year can be extremely stressful if you’re a recovering alcoholic. It can be difficult to integrate back into social events and holidays amplify your challenge to stay sober with open bars and alcohol everywhere you look. You know that staying sober takes effort, patience, and skills to combat difficult situations. So preparation is going to be key as you embark on this holiday season. These tips can help you avoid relapse and come out on the other side even stronger.

Should You Go?

Initially, recovering alcoholics may find themselves asking if they should even go to the holiday work event. At first it may seem that just avoiding the awkward moments, social anxiety, and chance of embarrassment all together is enough reason to make up an excuse not to go. However, more often than not, isolating oneself increases your potential to feel depressed and lonely, which often triggers the desire to drink. Now, you may be thinking, “but what if my coworkers also have the tendency to make me feel just as isolated and depressed?” Below you will find some tips to overcome these social difficulties. However, ultimately consulting with your Stairway to Freedom counselor will help you decide what the right choice is for you at this time. But keep in mind that every day you succeed without alcohol, you get stronger, and the confidence to simply get your foot in the door will carry you another step further from the depths of addiction. If you’re ready for this next challenge in your on-going journey of recovery, these tools can help you conquer the holiday evening.

Work Event Tips for Recovering Alcoholics

Coworkers and newer friends may not know that you are recovering. What is nice about this is you have a clean slate. No one looking over your shoulder and judging your choices. No one is questioning how you’re managing and functioning. No one is making awkward comments about alcohol being “bad anyways” and they should “probably quit too.” You avoid all these awkward stressors, but are confronted with the unfortunate task of how to respond when someone asks to get you a refill or how to not pull attention to your lack of alcohol without going down a personal path you don’t want to talk about.

Mocktails

If you can, bring your own drink to the party, or if there’s a bartender, get to the event a little early and talk to that bartender. You don’t have to tell them your life story, but some interaction to get to know them will help that server remember your face and your drink. Ease into the conversation a question about what types of mocktails the bar could concoct up for you for the evening or introduce them to one of your favorite recipes. Bartenders are usually excited to mix it up and this is an easy creative task that will leave you feeling at ease as you approach the bar throughout the night and able to hold a drink in your hand without discomfort.

Prepared Answers

One of the biggest stressors at a holiday party is knowing how to manage the bits of peer pressure and what to say when someone asks you what you’re drinking. Having answers prepared will help you sail through these otherwise awkward moments with ease.

What are you drinking?
This common question can raise your anxiety, but a plan to answer will get you through it. Let them know it’s a specialty mocktail the bartender agreed to make for you since you are watching your sugar intake. The other person may joke that they should be watching their sugar too, but the reality is they are not going to start tonight and will most likely leave the drink alone. This can also seamlessly lead to other dietary conversations outside of drinks that will quickly get you out of the beverage discussion.

Can I get you a refill?
If someone asks to get you a drink, tell them you were actually on your way over there already or you are on your way to the bathroom and will grab it on the way back. This will help you dodge any further drink questions, get you out of the situation and allow you to go up to the bar and order your mocktail yourself.

Come on, celebrate with us, will you take a shot?
There’s always that one at the party who gathers a bunch together and pushes for a group shot. Keep in mind that though there is a lot of build up in this situation, the actual shot takes seconds and you are certainly not missing out on anything. Bow out of this quick situation with an easy excuse to have to be up early the next morning and find new people to talk to for the night.

Have an Excuse to Leave

It’s important to always have a couple excuses up your sleeve to quickly leave if you get uncomfortable or if you still have a curfew to meet with your chicago sober living community. An excuse to check your phone (like you’re waiting on a call/text) will give you the opportunity to connect with a support group or fellow Stairway to Freedom members as needed throughout the night to provide that extra encouragement to conquer any challenges. It will be helpful to also have an excuse to leave the event early.

You don’t have to spend the entire night at the party, give yourself a timeline that makes sense for you and stick to it. Set an alarm on your phone and let them know you have to go take the dog out, pick up a kid, get to the pharmacy before it closes..etc. Essentially just give yourself an easy out.

Discuss and share these holiday work event tips for recovering alcoholics with your friends and Chicago sober living community. Talking through any anxiety and preparing for any challenges that may arise will help get you ready to take this next step toward a sense of normalcy. Mocktails, rehearsed answers, and an easy out will provide you with little tools to triumph through the night. Take each moment one at a time and remember that your Stairway to Freedom Chicago sober living community is always a text away and will be ready to celebrate your return from the night sober and stronger.