5 Things to Do Before You Go Home for Thanksgiving

I get it, you’ve been away from home “x” amount of days, weeks, months and now that it’s the ultimate family holiday – Thanksgiving, you can’t wait to go home and be with your family, get an awesome – the best, actually, home-cooked meal and, perhaps see some of your friends.

Well, pump your brakes. Before you get caught up in the whirlwind of excitement that inevitably accompanies a long-awaited homecoming, you have some serious planning to do. Now, that you’re clean and sober, you have more responsibilities than the average person when it comes to planning to go home for Thanksgiving, or to go on any trip for that matter.

So, along with packing that suitcase and arranging transportation to and from, there are 5 things to do before you go home for Thanksgiving to set yourself up for success at staying sober over the holidays.

Before You Go Home for Thanksgiving: Research and Locate Meetings in your Family’s Area

This one is pretty self-explanatory. Go online and/or contact the local chapter of your fellowship so that you can locate meeting times and places while you’re home for Thanksgiving. Plan out whatever logistics you have to ahead of time, such as transportation to and from meetings while you’re home for the holidays.

Before You Go Home for Thanksgiving: Talk to Your Sponsor

Share your plans and concerns about your trip home for Thanksgiving. Be honest and don’t fool yourself that it’ll be “alright” and “no big deal” to go home. Be open to your sponsor’s suggestions and make a plan to call him or her on a set schedule while you’re away as a sort of quick check-in. This will keep you accountable as well as remind you that you have someone in your life who is dedicated to support you.

Before You Go Home for Thanksgiving: Set Up a Call Schedule with Your Sober Supports

Just like calling your sponsor on a timetable, you should make plans with your other sober supports to call them daily when you go home for Thanksgiving. Again, this will be for your accountability as well as to know that there are people who count on you and on whom you can count.

Before You Go Home for Thanksgiving: Talk to Your Family and Friends About Your Plan

This is so that you can be sure that they have a better understanding of what recovery is and what your recovery plan looks like so that they can support you and hold you accountable while you’re home. This might involve you making such requests as having your parents remove any alcohol from the home that they might have.

Before You Go Home for Thanksgiving: Get Plenty of Rest

This will help you in several ways. By getting lots of rest, you can avoid the pitfalls of being too tired (and angry) that can lead to relapse situations, as with the helpful H.A.L.T. reminder. Also, being well-rested means that you will have your wits about you and will be thinking with a clear head while you’re home for Thanksgiving. This will keep your spirits up, even when you’re around certain family members that might have a tendency to annoy you. Remember, take care of yourself and your needs so that you can be at the top of your game. Not just before you go home for Thanksgiving but all the time.

If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse or drug addiction, please call toll-free 1-888-672-4435.