🍀Sober St. Paddy's Day [Exclusive Video]
▶️ Panel of Experts Share Experiences and Tips for Staying Sober and Happy on St. Paddy's 🍀
▶️ VIDEO: St. Patrick’s Day Sober Panel
Join host Damon Frank for 'Shamrocks & Sobriety: A St. Patrick's Day Sobriety Panel,' featuring guests Kevin O'Malley, Sean Ostendorf, and Rachel Hechtman. This episode tackles how to stay sober while finding happiness during St. Patrick's Day, offering practical sobriety tips, insights on mental health warning signs and triggers, and creative ways to enjoy the festivities soberly. Engage with our expert panel for advice, discussions, and a celebration of sober living, all wrapped up in the spirit of St. Paddy's Day. Tune in for an inspiring mix of guidance, support, and holiday cheer to make your sober St. Patrick's Day memorable and joyful.
Problems viewing the video? You can also watch this on YouTube.
📋 The Takeaways
Here are some key takeaways from the special St. Patrick's Day episode.
Embrace the "We" Aspect of Sobriety: Recovery is not a solo journey. Engaging with a community, attending meetings, or being part of support groups can significantly enhance your ability to stay sober, especially during challenging times like St. Patrick's Day.
Create New Traditions: Kevin Al shared the importance of creating new, sober traditions to celebrate holidays. This can include hosting sober parties or engaging in activities that don't revolve around alcohol but instead celebrate the spirit of the holiday in a healthy way.
Mindfulness and Awareness of Triggers: Sean Ostendorf emphasized the importance of being mindful and aware of triggers, especially during holidays known for heavy drinking. Understanding personal triggers can help in planning ahead and avoiding situations that may lead to relapse.
Avoid Tempting Situations Early in Recovery: Rachel Heckman highlighted the need for those early in their recovery to avoid tempting situations, recommending a focus on self-care and possibly avoiding celebrations where alcohol is central.
Plan Ahead: Having a clear plan for how to navigate social situations, what to drink (non-alcoholic beverages), and how to excuse yourself if needed, can help manage potential stress and peer pressure.
Find Joy and Fun in Sobriety: The guests stressed the importance of finding joy and fun in sobriety. Recovery should not be about deprivation but discovering new sources of enjoyment and fulfillment.
Connection is Key: Building and maintaining connections with others who understand the journey of recovery is crucial. These connections can provide support, understanding, and a sense of belonging.
Utilize Social Media and Recovery Resources: Rachel suggested leveraging social media and online resources to find community and support. Following sober accounts and engaging with the recovery community online can offer inspiration and companionship.
Focus on Gratitude: Shifting focus towards gratitude, especially when dealing with negative emotions or reminiscing about past regrets, can help maintain a positive outlook and reinforce the benefits of sobriety.
Be Open to Help: Whether it's attending AA meetings, seeking therapy, or finding sober coaches, being open to different forms of help and support can make a significant difference in navigating recovery, particularly during holidays that emphasize drinking.
