Easter is right around the corner. If you’re in addiction recovery from alcoholism, there are certain things to keep in mind before jumping into the festivities. Some days, staying sober can be harder than others, even on religious holidays like Easter. Especially when you’re used to drinking to cope with the holidays or when you’re around family, having a happy sober Easter can be a challenge. If you can relate, our Christian drug rehabilitation center shares a few tips on how to stay sober on Easter.

Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. This holiday is observed during Holy Week and goes by names like Holy Friday, Great Friday, Great and Holy Friday, and Black Friday. Good Friday is also the Friday before Easter. In 2023, it falls on April 7th. While this holiday can be considered emotionally sobering, it may present problems for individuals in recovery from addiction. Everyone celebrates holidays differently, but one common denominator we see in celebrations is alcohol. It may seem less likely that a person will drink heavily on such a serious holiday, but that is not always the case. Faith in Recovery shares ways to celebrate a no-alcohol Good Friday for those in recovery.

Spring break has long been a time of celebration and fun for college students. It’s a time to ditch the books and head off for a much-needed break. Many flock to famous spring break destinations like Miami Beach, Cabo, San Lucas, Jamaica, Bahamas, Punta Cana, etc., to have a good time and capture those perfect shots for social media. Others opt for road trips, house parties, sports tournaments, etc.

And it’s not just about the parties and fun. Spring break also means free time for those who don’t want to go on vacations or parties. For this group of people, spring break is a time to sit around the house, perhaps watch a movie, or sleep.

But all these options present a challenge for those in recovery. The parties and free time can both trigger cravings and make one more likely to reach for that bottle or baggie. With the relapse risk being so high, it’s important to think carefully about how to approach spring break in a way that won’t jeopardize your recovery.

The road to recovery is long and often frustrating. Addicts often have high expectations for themselves and want to rush headlong into stages they’re not yet ready for. To make steady, consistent progress, however, there are ways to boost yourself and see progress that in the long run will put you ahead.

Have a Strong Support System

There is nothing worse than being alone when you are an addict. The more you isolate yourself, the more you can only turn to your addiction for relief—but that fact also makes the opposite just as true.

You may be dating an alcoholic and not realize it until their habit becomes more detrimental to your relationship. On the other hand, you might be suspicious. You have a feeling that your partner’s drinking has gone a little too far, or they are spending more time drinking or recovering from drinking than sober.

Alcoholism is a progressive disease that can happen to anyone, so if you believe you are dating someone with a drinking problem, do not wait to get help.