Do you have a sober anniversary or milestone soon approaching, or do you know someone who is in recovery?
People in recovery tend to focus on today rather than looking too far into the future. Nevertheless, sober milestones and anniversaries are worth celebrating… and they actually play a big role in recovery.
But, how you celebrate recovery is different than a typical celebration. Here’s how you can make yours or somebody else’s sobriety celebration feel special.
How to Celebrate Sobriety Milestones During the First Year
Learning how to celebrate without drugs and alcohol is challenging for the newly-recovered.
If you know someone who is now sober, congratulate them. Write them a letter, take them out for a meal, or simply tell them how proud you are. You could even give them a meaningful gift to remind them of their choice to get sober.
If you’re coming up on a sobriety milestone, it’s important to recognize the step you’ve made. By attending an AA or NA meeting, you can start celebrating with milestone coins.
You may know someone who is showing signs of addiction, perhaps to painkillers. It’s important to get more info about the warning signs of painkiller addiction. That way, you can help them make the first step towards celebrating their sobriety.
Grab lunch or go to a movie with a friend or someone else in recovery. You can even treat yourself to something that will help you stay sober. A self-help book or journal are some examples of inspirational gifts.
Sober Celebration Ideas After One Year
The first year of recovery, in a lot of ways, is like relearning how to live without drugs or alcohol again. Within the first year, a recovering addict has achieved personal wellness. Yet, the journey is still far from over.
It’s important to celebrate each year from the last day of a person’s use. Doing so reinstates their sobriety and reminds them of the old life of addiction they used to live.
Some people prefer to keep sober anniversary celebrations simple. You or someone you know may find it enough to celebrate by writing in a journal or getting an anniversary coin.
It’s not uncommon for people to throw a party (without drugs or alcohol, of course.) You can pick a restaurant for your sober birthday party. Or, you can invite friends and family over for a picnic or barbecue.
Some like to celebrate by going on a sober vacation, to a spa, or on a shopping spree. The most important thing – no matter what you do – is to celebrate sobriety, first and foremost.
Get Ready to Celebrate a Sober Anniversary
Celebrating things like birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays are part of life. Celebrating sobriety is also a big part of life after addiction. With these sober celebration ideas, you or your loved one can keep moving forward on the path to recovery.
But why only celebrate your sober anniversary? The new year is right around the corner. Celebrate another year (or day) sober by setting New Year’s resolutions to work on in recovery!
