Staying sober during the holidays can be tough, and that doesn’t just mean Christmas.
Halloween is also another day where friends and family get together to dress up and have fun. Many people wait all year long for Halloween to host or attend huge parties with their friends, and usually, these parties involve drinking. If you’ve received alcohol treatment or want to cut down on your drinking, finding new ways of getting through the holidays sober is important. Luckily, there are plenty of sober Halloween activities that can make the day just as memorable without alcohol.
Fun Ways to Celebrate Halloween Sober
As a drug rehab in Florida, we understand that Halloween is an excuse for many people to drink too much. For some, drinking makes up the bulk of their anticipation for the day, though that doesn’t sound too healthy. Whether you’re in recovery from alcoholism or you just want to cut back on your drinking this year, below are some sober Halloween activities and ideas that can help you make the most of this year’s plans without the alcohol.
Throw a Sober Halloween Party
To many, the idea of a sober party seems like an oxymoron. However, it is possible to party and enjoy yourself without alcohol and, for many people, this is crucial. Especially in early addiction recovery, it’s important to make adjustments in the way you do things - from vacationing to celebrating the holidays - to support your sobriety. With that being said, a great way to have a sober Halloween is to host a Halloween party that’s alcohol-free. If you want to serve some special drinks but stay true to your personal goals, check Pinterest for recipes for non-alcoholic Halloween drinks. Also, be sure to create a playlist with some classic spooky songs, like Bobby Pickett’s “Monster Mash” and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” You can host a great party with a lively atmosphere without the need to drink. Also, hosting a party at your home gives you control over what drinks guests bring and what drinks are served.
Host a Scary Movie Marathon
Another great way to celebrate Halloween sober is to host a scary movie marathon. Believe it or not, a good scare every once in a while is good for you. We need the occasional bout of stress because it spikes our adrenaline, improves white blood cell circulation, and even burns calories. A scary movie marathon can be just the thing for thrill-seekers who don’t want to go overboard on Halloween. However, if you don’t enjoy really scary movies, stick to something more lighthearted like Hocus Pocus or The Haunted Mansion. Not only can movie marathons become an annual tradition with friends or family, but the temporary mood-boosting effects of watching a scary movie may be just what you need to get through Halloween sober without fighting cravings.
Attend an AA Meeting
Many support groups host events and meetings during the holidays. They understand that days like Halloween can be tempting rather than celebratory. Fortunately, support groups of all types, such as Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous, host sober events all of the time. If you don’t think you can make it through a party or aren’t in a celebratory mood, take advantage of any local support groups. Also, if you’re up to it, you can take the lead and plan your meeting. This would be a great way to connect with other people in the recovery community.
Bake Some Spooky Halloween Snacks
Baking Halloween snacks is a great idea for any age group. Whether you’re celebrating with kids or friends, you can spend a relaxing night in and bake some Halloween treats while watching movies. You don’t have to go out on Halloween to have fun, and staying in and baking or doing other Halloween activities is a great way to keep yourself accountable and out of potentially tempting situations.
Host a Sober Halloween Dinner
If you’re not into the music or dancing aspects of parties, you can also host a simple Halloween dinner with close friends and family. Go all out with decorations and Halloween-themed foods. You can even ask guests to dress up to really get the most out of the day. Parties are a great way to stay in, keep yourself accountable, control what’s being served, and enjoy quality time with friends and family. Bonus points for a Halloween-themed playlist.
Have a Pumpkin Carving Get-Together
Remember those snacks we talked about earlier? Well, you can offer those to your guests at your pumpkin carving get-together. Although pumpkin carving can be a sober Halloween activity at a larger party, it’s also an ideal activity to do with others for a more intimate and relaxed celebration. You can also include painting pumpkins with acrylic paint, which is safer for younger children and still loads of fun for adults. If you want to make things interesting, throw in a short movie marathon or play some background music. You can even make it into a pumpkin carving competition with a fun prize for the winner. This activity is also suitable for all ages, so everyone is included.
Find a Haunted House
If you get a thrill from scary movies, what better way to amp up the fun than to explore some haunted houses in person? Many people, whether they’re Florida residents or not, flock to Universal Studios for Halloween Horror Nights. But no matter where you are, there are usually plenty of local haunted houses and other Halloween events that offer the same level of fright. Not only will you appreciate the good scares you get, but you’ll also get to share a few laughs with friends as you scream the night away.
If you’re not interested in local events, then think outside the box and learn about the history of some spooky areas in your town. You may even find a walking tour of a local spot that’s believed to be haunted. If you prefer a more immersive and frightening experience, you can celebrate Halloween sober and with your friends by cracking codes in an escape room. However you choose to spend your Halloween, try to choose activities that include other people who will keep you accountable. If you want to celebrate alone, always have a backup plan or someone you can call when you feel tempted to drink.
Stay In
Although all of our sober Halloween activities are fun, you may prefer to stay in for the day, and that’s okay, too. If you want to skip the celebrations and relax at home, you can enjoy each of these activities in small measures. Cook a big meal for yourself and those living with you. Have a movie marathon or spend the night baking snacks.
Staying sober through the holidays, like Halloween, can still be fun. If you were an avid partier, then it may be a bit more difficult to make this change, but it’s worth it. You don’t have to drink to have fun. If you find other fun ways to celebrate Halloween and other memorable days, go for it. Discover what works for you.
If you’re struggling with a drug or drinking problem and need help, there’s no better time than the present. Banyan Treatment Centers Boca offers some great drug treatment programs that can help you recover from addiction and stay sober in the long run. For more information about our inpatient drug treatment in Boca, call us at 888-280-4763.
