Pacific Shores Recovery would like to wish everyone a wonderful Fourth of July! The solstice has come and gone, but Independence Day is when summer kicks off for most people. Warmer weather and longer days mean more time outside with those important to us.
Naturally, men and women in recovery want to take steps to ensure they keep their programs intact through the holiday. Relapse is a common occurrence during the Fourth of July! Important days of the year are often accompanied by excessive partying and heavy alcohol use. If one’s program is not secure, it is possible for the disease to rise to the surface and influence their decision-making process.
One of the most common missteps people in early recovery make is thinking that attending parties on holidays is no big deal. Many believe that being around alcohol will not make them want to drink. While this may be true for some individuals, being around alcohol proves to be too much for others. So, the safest course of action is to steer clear of any environment where imbibing occurs.
For those who are about to experience their first Independence Day in sobriety, you will be happy to learn that you’ve options for tomorrow. Homegroups across the country will hold meetings at the top of every hour on the Fourth. You can always get to a meeting no matter what’s on the agenda.
The Fourth of July also affords men and women in recovery the opportunity to congregate outside the meeting rooms. Many people who are working a program will organize recovery-centered events like barbecues or dance parties. You can join with your friends in safe environments and watch the fireworks show. More importantly, individuals in the program learn that they can have fun without drugs and alcohol.
Protecting Your Recovery on the Fourth of July
Pacific Shores is located in Costa Mesa, California, just a stone’s throw from Newport’s Beach’s Balboa Peninsula. Those with lengthy amounts of sobriety know that countless people descend upon this area to drink and be convivial during Independence Day. It can seem like every home merges to make one giant party. The Fourth of July can be daunting for those in early recovery who live in this area.
Still, it is more than possible to get through tomorrow without needing to pick up a drink or drug. Laying out a detailed schedule today to help you navigate around the pitfalls of tomorrow is exceptionally beneficial. Knowing which meetings and events you are attending, and who you will be in the company of, mitigates the risk of unforeseen variables that might preempt a relapse.
If you have not made plans with your recovery peers yet, then pick up the phone. Independence Day can be a blast for individuals dedicated to sobriety. Discovering that you can have fun in recovery is eye-opening and is an incentive to continue doing the work. What’s more, navigating the holiday safe and sober is an excellent learning experience that can be of aid when the next special day comes along.
Orange County Addiction Treatment
Once again, we hope that everyone in recovery has a joyful holiday. Please avoid taking any unnecessary risks that could negatively impact your program. One day of drinking is not worth losing the progress made up to this point.
If you or someone you love is battling alcohol or substance use disorder, please contact Pacific Shores today. We offer several treatment programs, and we treat each client with compassion while utilizing evidence-based therapies to bring about long-term recovery.
We will meet you where you are and guide you to where you want to be!
