By Soberinfo
What do you think about when you think of Valentine’s Day?
Your reaction will vary immensely depending on your existing circumstances. You might be eagerly awaiting the day if you’re in a new relationship. You may feel stressed by the prospect of finding a date if you’re single. Maybe you’re feeling sad because you recently experienced a breakup. Or perhaps you’re feeling like it’s just another day if you’ve been in a relationship for a while.
Whatever your response toValentine’s Day, one thing is almost certain: the day can serve as a trigger for those who experience problems with their drinking.
Happy feelings on Valentine’s Day are often celebrated with a champagne toast or a glass of wine. Sad feelings onValentine’s Day (sometimes grudgingly referred to as “Single’s Awareness Day”)may be numbed with a glass or bottle of whatever’s available.
Since alcohol is so easily accessible and the day can be such a difficult one, how can you maintain your recovery and have a sober Valentine’s Day?
Lots of socialization takes place in bars. People gather for happy hour after work, grab a beer to watch their favorite team play, or meetup for first date drinks. Once you quit drinking you start noticing how much camaraderie happens over a bottle or a cocktail glass. You might find yourself feeling left out of the enjoyment especially when trying to have a soberValentine’s Day.
As living an alcohol-free lifestyle becomes more mainstream, booze-free bars have stepped up to fill that noticeable void. These bars serve handcrafted non-alcoholic drinks including non-alcoholic beers and handcrafted mock tails.If you have an alcohol-free bar in your area, consider meeting up with your date there.
Nearly every restaurant you go toon Valentine’s Day automatically hands you a card with drink specials along with their main menu. While you can always hand the added insert back to your server right away, sometimes avoiding the interaction entirely is the easier way to go. It might not be worth the added hassle if you’re trying to have a sober Valentine’s Day.
Instead of going out to a restaurant for dinner, consider staying in and cooking a meal for your date at home. Hosting your date at home keeps you from dealing with the inevitable drinking that will surround you at a restaurant. Additionally, it not only saves you some money but also allows you to show off your cooking skills for your significant other.
Instead of sitting down for dinner at a restaurant, go out and participate in an activity or two. Whether it’s with a date or a friend or yourself, getting active is a great way to have a sober Valentine’s Day.
Go for a hike, play mini-golf, find a laser tag arena, hit the ski slopes, or go ice skating. There are many ways to get out and shake up the usual Valentine’s Day routine. You’ll feel far less tempted to drink when you’re engaged and doing something outside the norm.
Avoid traditional Valentine’s Day plans altogether and head out for a mini road trip instead. You can keep it short and go on a quick day trip or take a vacation day the next day and extend your exploration. It’s a lot more exciting to experience a new location than to sit through yet another night out at a restaurant in town.
Surprise your date by suggesting getting out of the usualValentine’s Day agenda. They’re far more likely to be impressed with your out-of-the-box idea than the exhausted flowers, chocolate, and dinner date.Pack enough snacks to keep you both satisfied and some of your favorite alcohol-free beverages to ensure you both have a sober Valentine’s Day.
The best way to have a sober Valentine’sDay is to ask for some support. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help if you know the holiday might feel a bit challenging. Let your date know that you’re choosing to stay sober or ask a friend to spend the evening with you so you aren’t on your own. The people who care about you will be more than happy to support your sobriety.
