It is safe to say that New Year’s Eve is one of the biggest “party holidays” of the year!  In recovering from Substance Use Disorder, being HONEST with ourselves is critical in staying free from that first drink or substance.  So ask yourself…was it really a party anymore?  Just because we are no longer actively drinking or using substances, that doesn’t mean we have to avoid celebrating a New Year.  However, there are many beneficial ways to stay engaged with new friends and associates and avoid the pitfalls of the “holiday party culture”…and have fun while we do it.  The most important thing to remember is this...what are we willing to do that is different…to not take that first drink or substance?

Here are some tips on helping stay free from the return to active substance use:

1.  Stay home and celebrate!  If you are so situated, invite new friends in recovery over to celebrate the New Year! Invite peers who are seeking the same new quality of life free from active substance use.  There are many people, early in recovery, that might not have a place to go and you can offer them a way to be with new friends and celebrate the New Year!
2. Stay active in 12-Step fellowships or recovery groups!  Many 12-step groups have events and round-the-clock meetings on New Year’s Eve! Don’t be alone! Click to Find an AA Meeting. Click to find an NA Meeting. Click to find a Smart Recovery Meeting.
3. Take advantage of online meetings and PEER “meet ups”!  People in recovery are highly creative and often very fun.  There are new creative meetings and events using Zoom and other platforms.  Many folks celebrate a New Year’s countdown with a midnight meeting…join in!
4. Be pro-active and plan accordingly!  There are many Peer Support organizations with people who are on the road to recovery with you…reach out and get connected before the holiday!  If you are in Flagler County FL, visit https://flagleroars.org/.  If you are in Volusia County FL, visit https://volusiarecoveryalliance.org/
5. Stay out of your own way!  The holiday’s are a great time to consider others and how you can help them!  Remember, we are not alone in recovery.  There are people on the same path as you, and there are people who are very early in recovery that need support and help.  Use the multitude of channels through meetings, organizations (i.e. https://renewrecoverycafe.com/), churches, and other entities… to offer support and your experience in recovery!  Remember, there is always someone right behind us who is seeking freedom from active substance use!
6. Stay off the roads!  A good rule of thumb is get all of your shopping and outings completed by nightfall.  There is an unfortunate trend and history of New Year’s Eve in the United States.  According the the National Safety Council (https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/holidays/new-years-day/), because New Year’s Day falls on a Monday, the actual holiday period will start Friday Dec. 29, 2023 at 6pm and extend until Monday January 1, 2024 at 5pm.  Historically, the New Year’s Holiday has the highest traffic fatality rates of any other day or period in the US. This year marks a 3.25 day long New Year Holiday period.  There will be a lot of intoxicated people on the roads! Bottom line!
7. What is the price of peace of mind?  Remember…holidays are more than a “party”.  It’s a time off from work, it’s time to reflect, and it’s time to have some peace of mind!  Part of recovery is letting go of the old ways of thinking and adopting new ideas and attitudes about things.  Just because we are used to the “holiday party culture”…it doesn’t mean we are missing out on anything!  Good friends in recovery can become life-long friends.  Staying connected to our recovery can mean a whole new experience!