St. Patrick’s Day

How to maintain your sobriety on a drinking holiday

The process of achieving sobriety, whether overcoming drug or alcohol addiction or giving up alcohol to support a better life, has its challenges. Every person in this situation is faced with obstacles, big and small.

One obstacle in particular is the reminder of past drunken celebrations, such as St. Patrick’s Day. Now, it is essential to note that being sober does not mean you give up socializing. If you place significance on St. Patrick’s Day, there are practical approaches you can use to celebrate and protect your sobriety.

Sober celebrations, family and friend gatherings, and community events are often common over the St. Paddies Day weekend. While the day does promote heavy alcohol use, not every person conforms to this idea. 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 for stopping 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 St. Patrick’s Day 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.

The benefits of sobriety are numerous, such as improved physical and mental health. It is also important to highlight a critical societal gain. Being sober on St. Patrick’s Day or any day removes all chances of impaired driving.

On celebrations or holidays that promote alcohol use, there could be some more instances of drunk or drugged driving. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, a person dies in Texas every nine hours and six minutes in a DUI alcohol-related traffic crash. In 2020, close to 1000 people were killed because of impaired driving. A Forbes Advisor Report ranked Texas as the third worst state for drunk driving.

If you are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day sober, take the proper precautions and look out for one another. If you choose to consume alcohol, drink responsibly, know your limits, and do not drink and drive.

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