In doing so, you may also become a role model or a source of encouragement for someone else who is struggling to maintain their own sobriety. After completing detox and an addiction treatment program, the first event or holiday sober can be challenging, and your birthday is no different. Birthdays can be incredibly challenging because it’s your special day and all eyes and attention are on you.
Themed restaurants can also be a great choice, especially if they primarily target kids and don’t serve alcohol. Many theme parks don’t allow alcohol at all, and the ones that do require it to stay in very specific places. And while theme parks may mostly target kids, there’s plenty of fun for adults too. A 41-gun salute is fired in London’s Green Park as part of the day’s celebrations.
How to Celebrate a Special Occasion Sober
Recognize and share the achievement with friends, family, or your support group, and be proud of the progress you’ve made thus far. A sobriety anniversary marks a period that a person has remained sober after recovering from an addiction. Unlike birthdays or other anniversaries, sobriety anniversaries aren’t limited to annual celebrations.
- Loved ones may also have feared for your life during the height of your substance abuse.
- While grander celebrations like ‘sober birthdays’ can be very special events, you can also reinforce and honor your goals by celebrating sobriety in small (or big!) ways throughout the year.
- In nearly any party setting, you can find people using alcohol to let loose and socialize.
- You’ve probably been sticking to a routine for a while now, which is a good thing, but it’s okay to branch out and try something new.
However, many are finding their way into recovery by going to rehab centers that provide the means and ways for people to recover. Take our short alcohol quiz to learn where you fall on the drinking spectrum and if you might benefit from quitting or cutting back on alcohol. Since you’ll be leaving out the alcohol, you can focus your energy on mixing up some festive, alcohol-free drinks for yourself and your guests.
Your birthday is totally within your control
He has been working in the behavioral health field since serving as a command Drug Exemption Officer in the U.S. A graduate of California State University Los Angeles, Mr. Collier holds a BA in Health and Safety Studies as well as a certificate as a specialist in Drug and Alcohol Problems also from Cal State. Obtaining a degree in Registered Nursing from Saddleback College, Mr. Collier has held a Registered Nursing License since the early1980’s.
Birthdays and recovery are a great way to start with a clean slate and embark on a new life. You’ve probably been sticking to a routine for a while now, which is a good thing, but it’s okay to branch out and try something new. If you have items on your bucket list, then today is a good celebrating the first year sober day to cross them off the list. Maybe you’ve wanted to go back to school or save to buy a new car, things that you would have never dreamed of during active addiction. I often encourage my therapy patients to be proud of all the little moments and choices where progress is made.
Why should I celebrate my sobriety milestones?
This is a great asset to those struggling with their own personal battles. Our quarterly newsletter reminds you that others have gone down this path and can provide valuable support. No matter where on your journey – considering sobriety, living sober for years or months already – our newsletter is here as a guide with helpful resources, events, https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/signs-of-alcoholism-causes-stages-for-man-and-woman/ and more. A sober birthday serves as a reminder of the coping strategies and tools individuals have acquired to manage triggers and cravings effectively. These celebrations reinforce the skills needed to stay sober during challenging times. Celebrating a sobriety birthday provides a chance to renew one’s commitment to staying sober.
- A big part of celebrating sobriety is to replace your reward traditions.
- When you sign up with Ria, you’ll gain access to a wide spectrum of evidence-based support—including recovery coaching, anti-craving prescriptions, and more—all from your smartphone.
- When taking the time to reflect, you should be able to see a significant change and difference in the person you are.
- Consider taking one of your friends out for dinner, especially if they’re struggling with substance abuse issues of their own.
- This person can help you feel connected, even when you find yourself in a room full of others who are drinking.
- If you adhere to these tips, you can count on being another year older while remaining another year sober.
Plan out your picnic in advance, if you’re planning on inviting a lot of people or want to have a potluck. Not only do people need to make some time in their schedule (and plan what they’re bringing), but you may want to reserve some of the picnic benches in the park, which will need to be done in advance. If you want the childhood fun of a theme park without all the frazzle, you might want to see if there are any laser tag arenas nearby.
A Memento to Commemorate the Day
Consider starting a fundraiser, donating to a cause you care about, volunteering with a local organization, or raising awareness with your recovery story to help inspire others to seek help. As the Clinical Nurse Manager for Hemet Valley Recovery Center & Sage Retreat, Crystal’s nursing career began as an LVN graduating from Concorde Career College in 2010. Crystal went on to earn her Registered Nursing degree from Mt. San Jacinto College. Crystal also has a background in Medical Surgical Nursing with a specialty in orthopedic surgery from Riverside University Health System, a level 1 trauma hospital.
She is a Licensed Advanced Drug and Alcohol Counselor, LAADC, and has a Master’s Degree in Counseling/ Psychology. Lisa is dedicated to helping individuals and families heal from the pain of addiction. She has extensive experience in working with patients at all levels of care and has additional training in family dynamics, codependency, relapse prevention, and stress management. A sobriety anniversary, also known as a sobriety or AA birthday, is typically the celebration of the day when someone decided to stop using drugs, drinking alcohol, or both. Such a day can be when someone last consumed the substance (s) they were abusing.
