Halloween can be a scary time for those in recovery and not because of the goblins and ghosts. Holidays are known for festivities filled with parties, food, and drinking. Halloween can be a tough time for those trying to maintain sobriety due to the late-night parties and adult costume contests. Often these events are fueled by drinking and a partying atmosphere. These situations can put unwanted pressure on a person who is trying to stay sober. This article will calm your fears and provide you with ten simple tips to enjoy a spooktacular Halloween. By providing realistic examples of situations you may find yourself in, we will give you these ten simple ways to maintain your sobriety through the holiday. Having fun and maintaining tradition is possible while being sober. Don’t let your past haunt you, have a supernaturally fun Halloween with sober tricks and treats.
1. Focus on the Next Day
Common situation: Many adults associate Halloween with adult fun, centered around dressing up, having parties, and drinking. This can sometimes create a wild environment where indulgences of all kinds are at the center of the celebration. Many adults anticipate the holiday of Halloween due to the feeling of escapism that it provides without considering the next day.
Tip: You can shift your focus from the partying mindset of Halloween to one that will help you keep your sobriety. By focusing on the day after the holiday, you can keep present in your mind the importance of your sobriety. Remind yourself of how good you will feel and the pride you can feel for yourself the next morning waking up sober.
2. Be Intentional With Your Planning
Common situation: Not uncommon, friend groups may have no specific plans for the holiday and decide to just go with the flow. Finding themselves at a party, where alcohol flows freely (and perhaps other substances), and the person in recovery, unprepared for the environment, feels increasing social pressure to drink or partake in other illicit substances. This highlights how a lack of planning can put someone in recovery in a vulnerable position during events like Halloween.
Tip: Planning ahead of time how you will spend your Halloween, provides an opportunity to be intentional about where and how you will spend your time. You can choose to avoid parties altogether or have a plan to deal with the temptations if you do go out.
3. Attend a Recovery Meeting First
Common situation: A person in recovery may find themselves not wanting to think about attending a Halloween celebration and what it might mean for their sobriety. Going to these festivities without a planned approach, or without recovery on top of mind, may instigate a relapse.
Tip: Attending a recovery meeting before Halloween festivities can help reinforce sobriety by providing support, accountability, and mental preparation. It creates a solid foundation of strength and connection to the sober community before entering a challenging environment.
4. Attend Sober Events
Common situation: It is no secret that Halloween is a time when adults like to dress up, let loose, and drink a lot! Many times at these parties, alcohol is not only provided, it is encouraged.
Tip: Look for community events or other Halloween festivities that are alcohol-free events. Looking for community events or family-oriented parties can keep a person in recovery from being exposed to the temptation.
5. Host Your Own Party
Common situation: As previously mentioned, many Halloween events for adults center around drinking. Perhaps the only events you are aware of are adult parties where triggers and temptations may be present.
Tip: One of the best ways to avoid triggers is to host your own sober party. You can create a fun environment with spooky decorations, witchy non-alcoholic beverages, and games for all.
6. Make New Traditions
Common situation: All too often, we get stuck in our old traditions for holidays. Perhaps in the past, it was your routine to get dressed up and go out on the town with friends to enjoy the nightlife. This is where a person in recovery can run into trouble and be exposed to the things that have created the situation they’re currently in.
Tip: Take this opportunity to create new traditions. It does not have to be a big event such as a party, it could be a scary movie night, carving pumpkins and eating good food, or attending a harvest festival.
7. Focus on the Kids
Common situation: Many times we take holidays like Halloween, that center around children, and pervert them into an adult version of the holiday. Many parties are adult-only or serve alcohol even with children in attendance.
Tip: Focusing on kids and their activities can help you maintain sobriety this Halloween. Chaperoning a kid’s party, taking the kids in your life trick or treating, or just staying home to pass candy out is a surefire way to avoid alcohol or drugs.
8. Have a Sober Buddy
Common situation: Finding yourself at a party alone can quickly take a wrong turn when alcohol is present. The social pressure to drink and the anxiety of feeling alone can tempt someone in recovery to partake in a substance, even if they don’t want to.
Tip: Reach out to your support network, maybe someone you’ve met in recovery, and go through the holiday together. Having a buddy who is committed to sobriety like you helps provide support and security when you are out together.
9. BYOB – Bring Your Own Beverage
Common situation: Halloween parties are known for free-flowing alcohol, jello shots, and spooky cocktails.
Tip: Bringing your own beverages with you to parties can help you avoid the uncomfortable offer of alcohol. There are many fun non-alcoholic recipes for mocktails that can keep you festive while keeping you sober.
10. Create an Exit Plan
Common situation: In stressful and overwhelming situations we can find ourselves frozen with fear. Halloween is one of those holidays where we can find ourselves in unexpected situations.
Tip: Have an exit plan or strategy to leave a situation where you are uncomfortable or at risk for relapse. If you have a sober friend, you can make this plan together before going out. If you do not have a buddy, having your exit pre-planned ahead of time makes it quicker and easier to execute when needed.
Celebrate Halloween Sober
Staying sober during Halloween doesn’t mean missing out on the fun. With thoughtful planning, support from recovery groups, sober friends, and a commitment to your well-being, it is possible to enjoy the holiday in a way that aligns with your sober lifestyle. Use these ten simple steps to enjoy all the tricks and treats of a sober Halloween. For those needing more guidance, our team at Diamond Recovery Center, a Salt Lake City rehab center, offers invaluable resources to help individuals maintain long-term sobriety. It does not matter if you’re early in your recovery or have been sober for years, connecting with a supportive community can make all the difference when dealing with the challenges of festive occasions.
