Clean and Sober for the Holidays by Chris Swanberg
Chris is a dedicated staff member who believes in the program of recovery which has taught him how to approach holiday festivities and keep his sanity. In this blog entry, he talks about how great it is to be sober and also how he prepares for holiday events where people will be drinking.
Unfortunately I see quite a few people that end up as newcomers come the first of the year. By God’s grace I hope I 
won’t be one of them. The holidays can be hard on us. I have survived 9 so far. Sobriety can be threatened by all the parties going on all around:at work, at home, and at friends/families' houses.
Having Fun in Sobriety
When I came into AA I did not want to be boring and glum. I had been living as an almost recluse in my disease and I was not enjoying life at all. If I wanted a glum life, then I might as well drink to oblivion to forget my woes. My program of recovery has taught me to get back into the living of life. I can go to parties and social events enjoying myself along with friends. They don’t have to hide their drinks from me. I was not brought into this world to be a “killjoy.”
I carry around a mixed drink, usually cranberry juice with a splash of 7up. This makes others feel comfortable around me. I laugh, I talk and I remember what the holidays are really about. I used to celebrate any holiday (some made up) just to give me a reason to drink and use. I have developed that defense against the first drink.
Being a Proud Member of Society
What’s cool about my sober holidays now is that I am not the person falling over things and saying things to embarrass myself and others around me. I don’t wake up feeling remorse over what I did or said ( that is - if I remember what I did the day or night before). What’s even better is there is no hangover.
Before I go to any type of party I have to make sure I am on solid spiritual ground and I have a good motive for being 
there. My motive is to usually have fun. I always bring another alcoholic friend with me - just for some support. If I start to feel shaky then maybe I better get out of there and get to a meeting or help out another alcoholic.
As the Big Book of AA says, “While you were drinking, you were withdrawing from life little by little. Now you are getting back into the social life of the world. Don’t start to withdraw again just because your friends drink liquor.”
The holidays can be stressful to anybody, normal or not. If I remember I have a purpose and commitment to myself and others. If I have a solid foundation, I can go anywhere and do anything at any time to enjoy the moment. The holidays are just another 24 hour period to get through. I have proven to myself that I can go without a drink or drug for one day.
Have a Great Clean and Sober Holiday.
- Chris and all at Sober Living by the Sea
sober holidays