How to survive St. Patrick’s Day sober

St. Patrick’s Day occurs in the middle of Lent and was once considered a welcomed break from fasting for Catholics when they would consume excessive amounts of food and drink to celebrate St. Patrick. While many traditional customs have faded over the decades, the day continues to take on new appropriations in a global context. Yet, some things never change, and it remains to be a day when excessive amounts of alcohol and food are consumed.

Surviving the day sober is challenging, especially if you are a recovering alcoholic or recently sober. In any restaurant or bar you go to, there will likely be some form of celebration, food and drink specials, lively music, and the constant temptation to celebrate. Fortunately, there are practical tips you can use if you choose to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day sober and survive the day. However, it is essential to note that sobriety on St. Patrick’s Day accomplishes one crucial outcome, it removes all chances of driving while impaired.

In Georgia, drivers involved in fatal crashes with a positive blood alcohol concentration were 2.3 times more likely to be speeding. Alcohol-involved fatalities in 2019 accounted for 24% of total traffic fatalities, down from 2018. The state has made headway with drunk driving prevention. Yet, the risks are significant on St. Patrick’s Day but avoidable.

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Staying sober means knowing what to do and how to tackle the situation; consider some of the following pointers. Remind yourself why you are sober, and don’t do it alone. You can still have fun and celebrate but do it with other sober people. Everyone has their reasons why they stopped drinking; remind yourself of those reasons and hold yourself accountable. Know your triggers; it doesn’t matter if you are a recovering addict or have removed alcohol from your life. Be cautious around possible triggers that pose a challenge. Most people in this situation choose to skip the bar and find something fun to do or go to a sober celebration. Keep a non-alcoholic drink or mocktail in your hand. People will not bother you to ask if you want a drink if you already have something to sip on, like a mocktail. This also leads to planning how to say no. You will encounter social pressure if you go to a bar on St. Patrick’s Day. It’s unavoidable. It’s wise to practice ways to refuse alcohol.

Finally, if all else fails, take a walk outside if you feel overwhelmed. The most straightforward solutions are usually the best. Remove yourself from any situation you know will lead to relapse. This is also why it’s essential to be with a sober friend or loved one; there is accountability and someone to lean on.

Marie Garceau has been working in the field of substance use and addiction recovery for over a decade. She works at DRS and primarily focuses on reaching out to the community and spreading awareness.