One of the things that keeps us attached to our drug of choice is the fact that we associate it with celebration, fun, and feeling good. We get high or drunk to celebrate the end of the workweek. Pretty much every party, event, and special celebration includes drugs and alcohol. In fact, some of these celebrations revolve around drugs or alcohol completely. Even non-addicted people often feel like a celebration is incomplete without using various substances. We don’t feel as though we can have fun without it. Substances help us relax, feel good about ourselves, and think more positively. At least, this is the story that we’ve created in our minds. We’ve created mental and emotional associations between our drug of choice and feeling lighthearted, adventurous, outgoing, and carefree. We use our drug of choice as a way to bring fun into our daily lives and to escape our stress. When we’re in recovery, we need to rethink and redefine our idea of celebration. It’s time to create new associations between celebration and sobriety. In recovery, we should strive to find sober activities we enjoy and healthier means of having fun.
Bonding With Loved Ones
Throughout our years of using, many of us neglected our loved ones in favor of drugs or alcohol. We prioritized our drug of choice over everything else in our lives, including our important relationships. The majority of our time, energy, attention, and money go to our drug of choice. As we’re working to shed our dependence on our drug of choice, we can start to set aside time to reconnect with loved ones. Quality time with our friends and family includes catching up, bonding over memories, and sharing our hopes and goals. Over the years, we’ve had tension and conflict in our relationships. Our addictions have interfered with our relationships, which is why some of our most important recovery work is rebuilding them. Any time spent with our loved ones can become a celebration if we have the right perspective. We can watch movies, go for walks, or make favorite meals together. We can support each other’s interests, show up for each other’s performances and games, and celebrate each other’s accomplishments. Ultimately, the context doesn’t matter. The point is that we celebrate being in each other’s lives again. Reconnecting and bonding with loved ones can become a form of celebration that we enjoy without needing to get high.
Celebrating Ourselves and Our Recovery
In early recovery, we can be easily overwhelmed by all the emotional work we’re doing. Treatment programs and 12-Step groups can be intensely challenging, but the work is always worth the effort. The more we heal, the more we can appreciate the value of our recovery. With each passing day, we become more aware of how sobriety is changing our lives for the better. We can celebrate our growth and evolution or marvel at all the things we’re learning. Our recovery is a celebration of ourselves and our successful healing. We can take pride in the hard work we’re doing, and we can celebrate each moment of our new lives. Every moment, we should strive to remain grateful for our sobriety. When we’re able to look at recovery in this light, we begin to equate celebration with personal development, healing, and self-love. Drug use is no longer synonymous with “having a good time.” After all, recovery is our key to a whole new life. We’re celebrating life!
Creating New Celebrations
Many of us in recovery celebrate our sober date or sober birthday. This is an important celebration for us and an opportunity to include our loved ones and new friends in recovery. We also celebrate other milestones and specific achievements – getting through a rough work week or dealing with tough relationship issues without relapsing. If we work at it, we can continuously celebrate all the progress we’re making. Any excuse is a good reason to celebrate! After all, we’re alive and sober – why shouldn’t we celebrate? There’s no reason to limit joyful gatherings to birthdays, holidays, and other meaningful dates. We can just enjoy the fact that we’re developing a new way of life and escaping the shackles that previously made our lives unbearable.
Believing We Deserve to Be Celebrated
Sometimes we block ourselves in our recovery. We hold ourselves back and limit ourselves with negative limiting beliefs. These emotional blockages keep us from being happy and finding peace. One of the ways we block ourselves is by believing we don’t deserve to be celebrated. We don’t feel worthy, deserving, or lovable. We have yet to love and appreciate ourselves. Let’s get rid of these faulty limiting beliefs and recognize them for what they are: illusions we’ve created out of fear. We’re afraid that we’re inadequate, that we won’t be loved, or that we’ll be abandoned. In place of these old ideas, let’s begin to affirm to ourselves that we are worthy of celebration. We deserve to be cherished. Accept the gifts, support, companionship, and praise given to us by our friends and loved ones. Let’s not reject their displays of love and affection. Allow ourselves to be loved, even when it’s uncomfortable. Remind ourselves every day that we deserve to celebrate our recovery and the recovery of those around us.
Every day in recovery doesn’t always feel like a celebration. Early sobriety can be rough going, but you can start developing a support group right away. The Guest House is a welcoming and supportive recovery home where you will be met with open arms, wherever you are on your journey, without judgment or expectation. Call 855-483-7800 today for more information.