How to Celebrate Sobriety Milestones Without Triggering a Relapse
If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance that you’re approaching a sobriety milestone. If that is the case, the first thing we want to say is congratulations! The road to sobriety is a hard one, and reaching a milestone in your journey is an accomplishment to be proud of.
As your big day comes closer, you may be trying to decide how to celebrate. In a culture that tends to enable or even normalize addiction, it can be a struggle to find a good celebration that won’t involve any potential triggers. Below are a few ideas for:
How to celebrate sobriety milestones in a healthy, trigger-free way
Accomplish a Physical Milestone
One of the joys of addiction recovery is the celebration of treating your body the right way. Rather than harming it, as many addictions do, recovery allows you to celebrate the miracle that is your body in a healthy way. With this in mind, a great way to celebrate sobriety milestones is to tackle a physical goal.
Let’s say you enjoy running, for instance. Maybe on your one-year sobriety milestone, you sign up for a 5k, a half-marathon, or a full marathon. You could also go on a hiking or climbing trip you’ve been looking forward to or take a yoga retreat.
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Take a Fun Outing
Another great reason to stay sober is so you can celebrate the beauty of life around you. And what better place to do that than in nature? Getting outside and enjoying some natural scenery can be a wonderful way to spend your special day.
Packing a picnic and having an afternoon with a friend in a local park can make for a lovely celebration. You could go spend the day at a nearby lake enjoying the waterfront activities. If you really want to go all in, why not go see the Grand Canyon, visit Niagara Falls, or spend some time in the Rocky Mountains?
Go Have a Nice Dinner
A nice dinner is always a great way to celebrate any occasion, sobriety achievements included. Maybe there’s a new restaurant in town you’ve been wanting to try, or you could have an evening at a favorite haunt. Make plans with friends, get dressed up, and celebrate your milestone with great food and good company.
If the sobriety you are celebrating is alcohol recovery, it may be a good idea to make some special requests when you make your dinner reservation. Ask the wait staff not to offer your party drinks or wine samples, and ask that any wine, beer, or cocktail menus be removed from the table.
You don’t need to go into detail about the reason behind this request; the restaurant should have no problem accommodating you.
Give Back
One of the best ways to celebrate how far you’ve come is to lend a hand to someone else. Volunteering is a great way to pass on the good things in your life and be the helping hand someone may need. Chances are, someone once did the same for you, and repaying that can be a powerful celebration.
Do some research into charities you’re passionate about. If they have a local chapter, see about spending a Saturday volunteering your time. If they don’t have a local division, talk to a food pantry, homeless shelter, or humane society in your town about how to volunteer with them.
Go Catch a Game
If you love sports, going to a game is an awesome way to celebrate your sobriety achievements. Many sporting arenas pride themselves on their food, so this is also a great opportunity to enjoy a great meal while you cheer on your favorite team. If you like, you could splurge on good seats to make it extra special.
One quick note: if you’re recovering from a gambling addiction, try to avoid venues or sports that are known for their betting, as well as any events that might be a trigger for you. Take a friend along with you to help navigate any unexpected temptations. Spend the evening enjoying the joy of the sport and the excitement that comes with seeing your favorite team win.
Go to a Theme Park
If you’re a thrill seeker, going to a theme park or amusement park can be a great way to celebrate sobriety milestones. Many theme parks don’t allow alcohol, so if you’re recovering from alcohol addiction, this can be the perfect environment for your celebration. Grab a funnel cake and a friend and dive in!
Your trip to an amusement park can be as simple as a trip to the nearest Six Flags or as involved as a vacation at Disney World. Take a loved one with you to share in the fun and help navigate any unexpected situations. Ride some roller coasters, eat fried foods, and take a ton of pictures!
Celebrate with Loved Ones
No matter how you choose to celebrate your big day, try to do so with loved ones around you. Whether it’s family, friends, or your sponsor or recovery group, you should share this day with the people who have helped you in your journey. The path out of addiction is not a solo one, and sharing your accomplishment with the people who know exactly how much this means will make it all the more special.
Even if your group is widespread, you can set up a Skype date and have virtual dinner or game night to celebrate. Gather a small group of friends together for a quiet dinner at home, or spend a day hanging out with your family. Whatever your celebration looks like, spending it with the people who you stay sober for will make your day memorable.
Why Learning How to Celebrate Sobriety Milestones Is Important
Sobriety is hard, and it is a journey you will be on for the rest of your life. Celebrating milestones is essential because it is a time to remember all the reasons you are staying on this path. And all other issues aside, reaching those milestones is amazing, and that is a reason to celebrate.
If you’re looking for more great articles on living your best life, visit the rest of our website at Get That Right. We have articles on topics such as life, health, education, money, travel, pets, and more. Check out our articles on recovery for some helpful tips and tricks.
