Tips for Recovering Alcoholics at Holiday Parties

'Tis the season for merriment and eggnog, but you're a recovering alcoholic. For AA graduates or current members, the holidays can be the hardest time of year. It's more difficult to separate yourself from alcoholic beverages, and if the holidays are usually stressful and depressing, the urge to drink can be overwhelming. Following are six important tips for recovering alcoholics at holiday parties.

1. Ask Ahead

Before you attend a holiday party, ask if non-alcoholic beverages will be served. Unfortunately, many people are less than considerate of those who don't drink, and serve only wine and cocktails when they throw holiday bashes. If necessary, explain that you are a recovering alcoholic and that you would appreciate something to drink that doesn't contain alcohol. Offer to bring something if nothing will be served.

2. Take a Buddy

It is always easier to avoid drinking at holiday parties when someone else is abstaining as well. Bring someone who knows that you are a recovering alcoholic and who won't have a problem with drinking water or punch instead of wine spritzers, and ask them to help keep you away from the booze if you happen to get tempted.

3. Distract Yourself

If you keep yourself busy at holiday parties, you won't be quite as tempted to pick up a drink. Talk with old friends or colleagues, offer to pass out presents if gifts are expected, and keep yourself engrossed in the music if someone is playing Christmas tunes on the stereo. Even when alcohol is served, you won't be thinking about it if you have other things on your mind.

4. Remember Your Motivators

Recovering alcoholics often have an easier time at holiday parties if they remember why they were motivated to stop drinking in the first place. Continually picture your spouse or your kids or your job or whatever keeps you out of the bottle, and remind yourself of the progress you've made thus far. When you leave the party uninebriated, you'll only feel that much better about yourself.

5. Drop In, Say Hi