Celebrating a Sober Memorial Day
Memorial Day Weekend is a time for honoring those who have served our country, spending time with family and friends, and enjoying the unofficial start of summer.
If you are new to recovery, be sure to avoid lake parties, bars and gatherings where drinking is prevalent. Going to a 12 Step meeting, even a virtual meeting, can stave off urges, boredom and loneliness.
Make the most of your Memorial Day weekend with these fun ways to celebrate the holiday and pay tribute to veterans, create cherished family moments, and enjoy the long weekend in sobriety:
Honoring Their Sacrifice
There are several ways to celebrate the true meaning of Memorial Day. Ideally, Americans should use the holiday to remember and honor the sacrifices of the men and women who have served in our armed services. Plant a tree, raise a flag, visit the veterans in your life and thank them for their service – the options are endless. For a virtual visit, checkout the Arlington National Cemetery and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the landmark online.
Get Moving
Frequently, community organizations plan 5Ks and other fitness challenges around Memorial Day Weekend. You can help raise money for veterans’ groups and military families while participating in the ultimate healthy activity.
Reach your fitness goals with Hope for the Warriors 2023 Memorial Day 30×30 Challenge. For a more tailored option, Active is an online resource that shares local events and activities like 5K, 10K, and Half-Marathon events.
Patriotic Participation
Many museums are offering free online tours and showcases of their exhibits and other resources. Take a virtual visit your local history or military museum or checkout sources like the National Museum of American History or the National Air and Space Museum. You can also tune-in to the National Memorial Day concert on PBS and share on the virtual Wall of Remembrance. And the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund will stream a virtual ceremony that includes a virtual tour of the memorial, plus an opportunity to submit an online honoring a loved one on Memorial Day.
Take Care of Yourself
A big part of relieving temptation comes from self-care. Take care of yourself by eating healthy (maybe the most difficult task), getting enough rest and staying active or exercising daily. Avoid situations that you know are trigger risks and keep a 12 Step meeting schedule within reach.
Make It Fun
A wonderful thing about recovery involves experiencing all of the various holidays with clarity. Open yourself up to all of the inspiration, courage and honor that our veterans have shown. Show gratitude for their sacrifice. Create fresh Memorial Day traditions that truly celebrate the meaning of the holiday.
Remember that recovery provides the opportunity to enhance your Memorial Day Weekend experience in incredible, powerful and hopeful ways. Make every effort to leverage your ongoing support community and recovery plan. It will empower you to celebrate the holiday while staying focused on your recovery journey and avoiding relapse.
If you or someone you know may have a problem with alcohol or other drugs, the addiction experts at Valley Hope can provide a free level of care screening to determine if you require clinical treatment. Because addiction remains a public health crisis in America, Valley Hope provides an essential public health service and continues to welcome new patients at each of our 16 treatment centers with medical detox services, residential treatment, online outpatient treatment and virtual recovery support programs.
We know that the dangers of addiction dramatically increase in the face of heightened anxiety, stress and isolation. That’s why our team of treatment experts stand ready to provide help and healing for alcohol misuse in a safe, compassionate environment.
For immediate help 24/7, call your Local Admissions Team at (800) 544-5101.