With the holidays upon us, we may loosen our boundaries on drinking alcohol. We are seeing old friends and family, so that means there will be more social opportunities to drink. Whether it’s the brandy slushies Uncle Mike makes only during this time of the year, or the hot totties like Tom and Jerry’s. Our Green Bay culture will continue to have a drink, or a few, before the fish fry on Fridays and the supper club on Saturdays.
There is another alternative: sobriety. Choose to abstain from alcohol during the month of December. Try sobriety on and see if it fits you. One of the benefits is you can be a designated driver and keep your friends and family safe from the temptation of drinking and driving. You won’t have to worry about hangovers and feeling groggy in the morning, plus you’ll save money!
If sobriety isn’t in your plans, then you can be a sober ally. A sober ally supports family members and friends who choose to be sober. For someone who is in early recovery or wanting to be sober throughout the holidays, this can be a very anxious and stressful time. You can ensure there are non-alcoholic drinks at the party and label punch and other “community” drinks if they are alcoholic or not. Sober allies make it more comfortable for a person who is in early sobriety to not feel alone or isolated.
If you decide to drink alcohol, here are a few tips on how to stay safe:
• Don’t start drinking on an empty stomach. Alcohol will begin to affect you much faster if you haven’t eaten anything, so be sure to have a full stomach before drinking.
• Before you begin, decide how many drinks you want to have, and stick to it. Ask a friend or family member to help you keep track of how many drinks you’ve had and not to go over your planned amount.
• Know the percentage of alcohol in the drinks you’re consuming. This varies greatly between different types of alcohol, especially in mixed drinks.
• Pace yourself. Alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (be sure to drink water!)
• Know how you’re getting home safely. Have a plan in place, whether that’s public transportation, ride-share, or a designated friend.
If you do go out to a bar or restaurant, there is a safe ride program in Brown County. You can ask your server or bartender and let them know that you would like a cab to take you home, and the Brown County Tavern League will pay for it. It’s that simple.
If you have any questions or are seeking resources for help with alcohol abuse, please call ADRC at (920) 448-4300 to discuss options for recovery and treatment. ADRC has Sober Green Bay cards at the front desk with information about the Brown County Sober Green Bay page and AODA resources in Brown County.
Enjoy your holiday season, be safe, and be kind!
Source: skywoodrecovery.com
