(12/28/2012)

The Holiday season is a time for celebrating with family and friends, but these celebrations often include alcohol. This can pose a special challenge for people in recovery, who may feel tempted or even pressured to drink. This is particularly true of New Year’s Eve, when the social expectation to consume (and over-consume) alcohol may seem nearly overwhelming.

Fortunately, many recovery organizations, including Alcoholics Anonymous and SMART Recovery, host sober New Year’s Eve celebrations. These celebrations often include peer support meetings as well as food, games, music, and dancing. They are a great way for those in recovery to celebrate the season in a safe space away from the temptation to drink or use drugs. Most of these events are free, but some have a nominal cover charge.

For those who aren’t near an in-person event, there are several virtual options where you can meet online with others in recovery and ring in the New Year via the Internet.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy’s Recovery Branch has assembled a list of sober New Year's Eve events by region. This list is by no means comprehensive. If you would like to find additional events near you, please contact a nearby Alano or Recovery Club, which often sponsor sober New Year’s Eve events.

Go to the ONDCP sober New Year's Event events by region list:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/ondcp/Blog/sober_nye_events.pdf

Keywords: Sober event, New Years Eve