8 Tips for Staying Sober on St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick’s Day is one of those holidays that can test even the most stalwart resolutions, partly since many people chose to drink on this holiday, and mass media, advertising, and retail environments push verbal and visual cues about alcohol to the extreme.

Here are ten suggestions you can take to help you stay sober.

Plan in advance: Make plans to be in places where alcohol won’t be served. Decide in advance how you will refuse if someone unexpectedly offers you alcohol, and if you would need to leave the situation. Utilize the help of supportive people. Surround yourself and spend time with people who support your decision to stay sober. Find friends and relatives who can commit to being supportive and encouraging. Take care of yourself. Get enough sleep, eat well, and exercise. Many of us hears these directives all the time, yet consider why. If you get enough sleep, your mind will be clearer and better able to deal with the desire to do something unwise. Eating well nourishes your body and your brain. Exercise releases endorphins and serotonin, which can improve your mood and help make your body and brain feel well, (without hangovers!)
Check out some alternatives to keep yourself occupied: Instead of imbibing, check out some Irish recipes and cook them, listen to some Gaelic tunes. Research the history of Ireland or St. Patrick himself (the history is quite fascinating). If you think it would help to focus on something else entirely. volunteering to help others can also be a terrific way to divert your mind.
Remind yourself why you want to stay sober: Keep a Journal. Writing down and reflecting on the reasons you want to stay sober AND the benefits of doing so. It can help if you detail your “Whys” and the results of your “Whys”. “I want to stay sober so that I can hold down a steady job” is a great goal, yet “I want to stay sober, so I can hold down a steady job and not have to spend my whole life working” may enhance your focus.
Support is here when needed: It is ok to ask for help if you need it. Don’t be afraid to reach out to friends, family who have previously supported your recovery, and professional resources and support groups that are there to help you.
Have a distraction: Have something to keep you busy and have goals that you have set ahead of time when you are in group situations. Make a point of talking to people about movies you have seen recently or books you have read, for example. You can also set a goal of talking to someone you don’t know well and getting to know them better. Ask questions and spend more time listening than talking. Being a good listener is always a win in social situations.
Reward yourself: Reward yourself for staying sober. A reward can be something simple like buying yourself a new book or just reading a new author that you have taken the time to check out at the library.
Practice self-care: Take time for yourself and participate in activities that make you feel good both physically and mentally.
Be aware of triggers: There may be people or situations that may trigger a desire to drink. Avoid them if possible and plan how to deal with them if situations are unavoidable (this goes back to having a plan in advance).