The Holidays present the best of times for those who do not have to follow the guidelines of recovery. However, this can be a real predicament for sober people. We hold on to our faith and interact less with others, so we do not become influenced and tempted to pick up a drink or God forbid anything else.
Relapse is most frequent during these celebrated holy days. Happy Hour, house and club parties are all dangerous places. Too much fun and laughter can get me thinking that the world is okay again and I can have "just one" drink, a smoke; or God knows what else? In my double-digit sober years I don't worry about this as much as I did when I was in my first few years. It was much more tempting for me then. Still I am always on alert.
These days a club party with good music will be as much fun for me as it would be for anyone. But if I can have it my way, a hot chocolate by a fireplace after a walk in the snow in a cozy mountain town is without a doubt my idea of a good time.
If you know someone who is sober, help them out by not bringing them around excessive use of alcohol and other party favors. You are likely to be saving someone's life by doing so.
