Stay Sober Through the Holidays by Helping Others

Teen giving gift to a girl

The holidays can be a difficult time for people who are trying to remain alcohol and drug-free. The holiday season can be a whirlwind of office parties, big family gatherings, shopping trips and financial stresses. Although many of us have the image of jolly holiday events, for many people, the holidays are very different, like people who are trying to learn how to stay sober, perhaps for the first time in their lives.

Not everyone has the ideal support team for their sobriety. Yes, some people have meetings and sponsors or family who are available to them when needed. But other people have had to leave most of their old friends and even some of their family behind so they can maintain sobriety. Not all family and friends are supportive and not all of them are sober, either.

Let’s be honest — for some people, a sober holiday can be a lonely event. They have to leave the party at work early when alcohol begins flowing. They can feel deprived, walking around a neighborhood party with a soda. And if drugs are being used in the back room or out in the open, these can be powerful triggers to start using again.

If you feel like the upcoming holidays might feel a little dreary as you maintain your sobriety, maybe it’s time for a change of viewpoint and activities. Try taking your energy and injecting some joy into other people’s lives. The funny thing is that it will end up filling your heart with the same joy you give others.

Skip the bars and flowing alcohol (or drugs) and spend time helping others this holiday season. It’s very easy to find volunteering projects. Here’s some opportunities in different parts of the country — you may find similar ones in your area.

1. In San Francisco, you can volunteer for a three hour shift wrapping presents in a bookstore. All tips benefits homeless youth.

2. Also in San Francisco, you can offer to distribute gifts and pack food boxes for families in need. All that’s needed is a three-hour commitment.

3. A search of online classified listings can inform you of holiday events that need your help. In Tampa, Florida, a person is looking for a group to sing at an assisted living facility over Christmas.

4. In one project in Los Angeles, if you can lift 40 pounds, you can help collect surplus produce from a farmer’s market to be donated to local food pantries.

5. Also in Los Angeles, if you have two hours to spare, you can help collect toys and food for needy families.

6. Something as simple as providing three hours of child care can enable a Maryland parent to attend classes to help them work their way out of homelessness.

7. Can you sew? In New York City, a group is looking for someone to sew helpful bags and aprons for disabled adults.

8. If you’re a musician or artist, there are many opportunities to help children with holiday crafts or music. If you gave up your art or music during the time spent using drugs or alcohol, this might be the time to pick it back up.

9. Animal shelters always need some extra hands. If you’re good with animals, volunteer for a trial shift at a shelter and see if you’d like to make it a regular activity.

10. Take small, new gifts like stuffed toys to a local hospital so they can be given to children whose families may not be able to provide them with a gift like this.

11. Buy a dozen holiday cards and mail them to servicemen and women overseas. Add your own heartfelt message for the person’s well-being before sending them. Contact the Red Cross to see if this project is being run in your community.

To find these places that need your help, just do an online search for “volunteering opportunities.” Or try calling your church, the Salvation Army, United Way, Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, Humane Society, a local assisted living facility or homeless shelter. If you need help locating an organization like this, the reference librarian in your town will be happy to help you.

There’s nothing like helping someone who is far worse off than you to make you count your own blessings. Volunteering can help you realize how good you have it and make drinking or drug use the farthest thing from your mind.

This holiday season, we offer you our warmest wishes for a holiday filled with joy — whether it’s joy you give, joy you get or a combination of both.

AUTHOR

Sue Birkenshaw

Sue has worked in the addiction field with the Narconon network for three decades. She has developed and administered drug prevention programs worldwide and worked with numerous drug rehabilitation centers over the years. Sue is also a fine artist and painter, who enjoys traveling the world which continues to provide unlimited inspiration for her work. You can follow Sue on Twitter, or connect with her on LinkedIn.

NARCONON OJAI

DRUG EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION