Creating a Plan for a Sober St. Patrick’s Day

girl wearing st patty headband

With the approach of St. Patrick’s Day, it is important to look ahead and use positive strategies for a sober St. Patrick’s Day. At Liberty Bay Recovery, we encourage and partner with our clients to empower them as they move from addiction to sobriety. Part of that therapeutic process includes helping you find ways to set healthy boundaries and redefine how you cope with holidays such as celebrating St. Patrick’s Day sober.

Beginning a Sober St. Patrick’s Day Tradition

Suppose you are currently beating your alcohol addiction or have completed an alcohol rehab program and are proudly sober. In that case, St. Patrick’s Day and the cultural expectations around celebrating this day can undermine your success.

St. Patrick’s Day does not have to be a day or weekend of drinking. There are many ways to participate in the festivities around this holiday without succumbing to the temptation to drink or binge on alcohol. Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day sober is possible if you focus on some of the other aspects of this holiday, including:

  • Enjoying the St. Patrick’s Day parade
  • Celebrating Irish culture with Irish music or dance
  • Participating in a healthy challenge on St. Patrick’s Day instead, such as a themed 5K walk or race
  • Volunteering for a service or event

Creating a Plan to Stay Sober

The key to having a sober St. Patrick’s Day is creating a plan in advance.

Many people ignore the reality of alcohol addiction on St. Patrick’s Day with bars and festivals. The holiday doesn’t have to be a time to overindulge in alcohol. If you are recently sober or struggling to stay sober, the first step in your plan is to recognize that St. Patrick’s Day is often an active day for bars, restaurants, and other alcohol retailers. Socially, St. Patrick’s Day often creates a desire to go and be part of the fun.

As you create a plan for a sober St. Patrick’s Day, there are alternative options you can consider:

  • Reach out to your support groups, sobriety partners, and therapists, letting them know that you need help finding ways to stay sober as St. Patrick’s Day approaches
  • Create a plan for your time, finding positive or healthy ways to spend the day, including volunteering, service options, or working extra shifts for your co-workers
  • Be a change agent and have a sober-only party for St. Patrick’s Day with friends and family who support your journey.

Struggling With Staying Sober on St. Patrick’s Day

As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, you may still be in the grip of alcohol addiction, or you may find your sobriety faltering or difficult to maintain. It is never too late to ask for help to beat your alcohol addiction. At Liberty Bay, we use the therapeutic community model. This model offers you clear and safe boundaries to explore your triggers and history around your addiction with the support of professional therapists and other clients within the community. Our therapists understand the reality and the daily challenges of staying sober.

If you are struggling to maintain your sobriety after beating your addiction and you need help to create a plan for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day sober, call Liberty Bay Recovery, a Portland, ME, intensive outpatient program at (855) 607-8758. At Liberty Bay Recovery, our therapeutic community and aftercare for graduates give you the support you need to stay sober. You can speak to one of our caring recovery professionals today.

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