Memorial Day is a time to honor people who died serving in the military. With so many deaths due to COVID-19 this past year, it’s an important time to honor all lives lost. It can be a challenging day for some, but it’s also a reminder that allowing yourself to grieve is necessary.
A Big Drinking Day
Memorial Day is in the top ten drinking holidays.[1] People may respond to grief by drinking to try to numb pain. One study found that people who have been in mourning for two years are more than twice as likely to have at-risk drinking habits.
Even if you or the people around you aren’t grieving a loss, this can be a heavy drinking holiday. Many people have off work, and beer-filled cookouts abound. If you are worried about sticking to your sobriety, there are ways to make it easier for yourself.
Come Prepared
A simple thing I’ve found incredibly helpful is to make sure I have non-alcoholic drink options at events. Having something to hold in your hand when everyone else has a drink can make you feel less awkward. It’s also nice to bring something tasty that you like, so you can enjoy your drink while everyone is enjoying theirs.
If you’re new to sobriety or struggling, try reaching out to a supportive person in your life. They can help ground you. You might want to consider bringing a sober or supportive friend to the event, so that you have someone to lean on if things get hard. But even if they aren’t there, it’s always worth stepping away from the event to call them!
Knowing When To Call it Quits
Listening to yourself if you need to step away in general—whether temporarily or for the night—is also important. If you’re having a tense moment or a craving, it can be helpful to take a short walk or step away from the event in order to ground yourself.
You might try breathing exercises to help calm you. Square breathing is when you breathe in for four seconds, hold for four, breathe out for another four seconds, and hold for four. Alternate nostril breathing is when you hold your right nostril and breathe in through your left, hold your left nostril and breathe out through your right, and so on.
You might decide that being around alcohol is not good for you right now. That’s okay. Recovery is your first priority, and if you can’t make an event this time, that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to participate in the next holiday.
If you are struggling with a mental health or substance use disorder, there is help and hope. TruHealing Centers offers high-quality treatment for mental health disorders and addiction in facilities across the country. Our staff—many of whom are in recovery themselves—will help you build the coping skills to thrive in recovery. To learn more, call an admissions specialist at 410-593-0005.
[1] https://www.alcohol.org/guides/booziest-holidays/
