For many, holidays are a time to see family and friends. Often food and social events are involved, and with those, alcohol. For people in recovery from addiction, these times can be especially stressful. Being around people who are under the influence of some substance such as alcohol can make it harder to stay sober, and may bring up feelings of shame. Holidays such as New Years Eve or St. Patrick's Day are specifically known as drinking holidays, and while they are popular and widely celebrated, they can leave some feeling isolated. As St. Patricks Day is approaching, some who are in recovery may be feeling dread or worry about how to get through it, especially when the people
around them plan on drinking. Statistically, that day is one of the most dangerous when it comes to being out on the road because of the large consumption of alcohol. Drinking is such a big part of the celebration because St. Patrick, a Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland, instructed people to drink after he banished a demon. He died on March 17th, and as such the holiday is a day of remembrance, celebrated by drinking as he had instructed from that event. Even though drinking is central to the history of the holiday, there are other ways to celebrate. Some people make corned beef and cabbage, pick clovers, wear green, or kiss an Irish person (Juergens, 2018). Other options include making a non-alcoholic drink to feel included, bringing a sober friend along to a party or out somewhere, focusing on a hobby for the evening, or planning a night in with friends. It can be helpful to remember that the feelings of missing out will pass, but recovery is long-term. Riding out that urge and the feelings and emotions associated with it is possible ("Staying sober on St. Patrick's day| Alcohol addiction treatment," n.d.).
References
Juergens, J. (2018, December 21). Celebrating sober for St. Patrick's day. Addiction Center. https://www.addictioncenter.com/community/celebrating-sober-for-st-patricks-day/
Staying sober on St. Patrick's day | Alcohol addiction treatment. (n.d.). TruHealing. https://www.truhealingcenters.com/tips-for-staying-sober-on-st-patricks-day/
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