People decked out in green stumble down the street, bars are packed to capacity, and items of all sizes say “Kiss me. I’m Irish.”
St. Patrick’s Day is fast approaching, but your St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t need to look like the one described. Just because St. Patrick’s Day has turned into a drinking holiday, doesn’t mean you need to do so to enjoy yourself. Our drug and alcohol treatment center in Chicago provides some tricks to staying sober on St. Patrick’s Day.
Tips for Staying Sober on St. Patrick’s Day
Especially if you are in the early stages of your recovery, it can be natural to dread a sober St. Patrick’s Day, but you don’t have to. In fact, there are ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day sober that can be even more fun than you can imagine. Our Banyan treatment center in Chicago is here to tell you how.
Plan time with your sober friends. Especially if you are a part of our alumni recovery program in Chicago, you should know people who are into celebrating St. Patrick’s Day sober. Just like the 12-Step program suggests, relying on your will power alone can be difficult, so reaching out for help from others will only make you stronger. When you spent this holiday with sober people, you will all have the same intentions and be able to go to events that will not trigger a relapse. Now is not the time to seek out those friends who you used to party with.
Stay away from bars and the club scene of your city. When you see people out partying, it can be easy to feel like you are missing out, but these environments can be overwhelming and just too tempting for your addiction. If you avoid these areas altogether, you are less likely to feel depressed or have a relapse.
Go to events in your city that do not involve drinking. Many big cities host parades and special events to celebrate the holiday and the days leading up to it. Attend events where drinking isn’t the focus, such as special performances or Irish heritage events. In Chicago, in particular, you can enjoy a stroll along the water when they dye the Chicago River green. [1] Staying sober on St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t have to be a drag. With a little planning and effort, you may find that celebrating this holiday sober is more fun than you thought.
Getting Help Today
From dual diagnosis treatment to PHP treatment, our Banyan Treatment Center in Chicago is here to guide you at any stage of your journey. Recovery is possible and we can help you find it. It's time to take back control of your life.
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol or looking for drug rehab in Chicago, please call us at 888-280-4763 to get more information on our services and programs.
Sources:
- Choose Chicago- St. Patrick’s Day Chicago 2019
