Sober Saint Patrick’s Day: Tips to Avoid Drinking and Relapse

As we prepare to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day, many in recovery, as well as people who just want to cut down on their drinking, may understandably feel a sense of low-key pressure or anxiety about drinking. Saint Patrick’s Day is one of the year’s main drinking holidays and over half the country says it plans to celebrate. This leaves an entire community of people who want to steer clear of alcohol potentially experiencing a sense of FOMO. But fear not, even if you’re not Irish, luck is still on your side this year. Here are some tips for a sober Saint Patrick’s Day.

Have Your Cake…and Drink It, Too

Staying sober on Saint Patrick’s Day doesn’t have to mean giving up fun and exciting drinks; it just means cutting the booze from them. There are plenty of options for St. Patrick’s Day “mocktails” that can add a festive and drama-free flare to your celebration.

Not only does having these non-alcoholic drink options add flavor to your party menu, but it also helps sober party guests feel a little more comfortable and like they’re part of the group. It’s important to realize that the need to fit in can determine between skipping the booze and deciding to partake, even when you know you shouldn’t. Mocktails ensure that your sober guests still have that “red Solo cup” in their hand and that they don’t have to explain why they’re not drinking.

With Friends Like These, Who Needs Alcohol?!

Ordinarily, this phrase is a bit more on the sarcastic side, but the reality is that if you have a community of sober people around you during times of vulnerability, you’ll be less inclined to slip and more empowered to resist cravings and urges. If you’re still looking for something to do for your sober Saint Patrick’s Day, call some friends who “get it,” meaning those who are either part of your recovery community or those who simply understand what you’re going through and don’t need to drink to celebrate. Friends make everything better. If you insist on hanging with your core crew even if they drink, here are some tips!

Focus Less on What’s in the Glass and More on What’s on the Plate

Here’s the thing: food is better than booze… that’s a proven fact. Ok, maybe it’s not “proven,” per se, but one way to forget about alcohol this Saint Patrick’s Day is to focus more on the cuisine it often accompanies. There are many Saint Patrick’s Day party foods that can please the taste buds and make you forget all about the booze. You don’t need the taste of alcohol getting in the way of yummy snacks!

Make It Your Own Sober Saint Patrick’s Day

Wear green, read Irish poetry, make a playlist of The Pogues, Dropkick Murphys, Damien Dempsey, Cranberries, or other Irish bands, get acquainted with the history of the holiday, or do anything else you have to embrace the spirit without embracing the “spirits.” It’s important to remember that while certain Saint Patrick’s Day traditions can be fun to observe and embrace, you don’t have to make drinking one of them. However you choose to celebrate or not celebrate, this holiday is entirely up to you.

Avoiding Relapse on Sober Saint Patrick’s Day

There are plenty of people who may just want to “Saint Patrick’s Day” sober by skipping the alcohol this year, but if you’re in recovery, the holiday can represent a unique and distinct set of social anxieties and triggers. If you’ve been through treatment, remember to rely on your recovery toolkit when faced with high-pressure situations. Call your sponsor if you’re feeling overwhelmed, get insights from your group at your recovery meetings, and remember all of the coping mechanisms you developed in treatment and subsequent therapy. Remember, also, that there is nothing wrong with skipping the party this year if you feel like you’ll be too tempted to drink.

We’re Here for You

If you or your loved one realize, as so many do, that your drinking or drug use has gotten out of control this Saint Patrick’s Day, Recovery Unplugged is ready to help you reverse course and take your life back. We offer comprehensive medical detox and behavioral rehab for all types of substance use disorder. Don’t ignore the signs that your drinking has gotten the better of you. Confront them and overcome them through compassionate and effective treatment. Recovery Unplugged is ready to help you take the first step. Call now to start treatment.