Avoiding the Red, White, & Booze

This Independence Day marks America’s 248th birthday. Cue the fireworks and festivities—but beware of potential triggers. Many social events involve alcohol, which can be hard for people in recovery or those who are actively battling alcohol addiction.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate with your family and friends. Here are 7 ways to have a happy and sober Fourth of July.

Have a game plan.

A failure to plan is a plan to fail. As you head into this holiday weekend, carefully assess your plans to ensure they won’t negatively affect your recovery.

You may want to cross off events from your list of activities based on this process. Or you may want to think through which (if any) activities will have alcohol present and strategize ways to stay sober.

If you’re attending a family barbeque or a get-together with friends, can you bring a sober friend with you for support? Perhaps you can meet with a therapist or attend a 12-step meeting shortly beforehand. Or maybe you can bring a special nonalcoholic drink, board game, frisbee, or volleyball to keep you and others entertained.

The idea is to think through what might trigger a relapse and take steps to avoid or address those triggers before they occur, not after.

Search for sober activities.

Summer offers a wealth of fun activities that don’t involve alcohol. Many community events are entirely alcohol-free, and sober social groups often host their own private gatherings. Whether you’re looking for a concert under the stars, day at the beach, or volunteer opportunity, there are lots of choices.

Summer is the perfect time to seek out these options, forge new friendships, and find new support groups to strengthen your recovery efforts.

Mix up a mocktail.

Cheers to 248 years of America—but skip the alcohol. Try these award-winning mocktail recipes from our “Party Punch” contest.

Volunteer.

This holiday weekend, fill your heart with renewed purpose by volunteering. Whether you have a few hours or a whole day to spare, find an organization dedicated to causes you care about.

Helping others is a powerful way to boost your own well-being. Kindness is contagious, and the good you do for others can inspire self-compassion and joy within yourself.

Set healthy boundaries.

Prioritizing your health and well-being is key to long-term recovery. That might mean taking a step back from situations that feel overwhelming, like when friends or family are drinking too much or getting too personal.

Remember, it’s perfectly okay to ask for space and set healthy boundaries to protect your emotional health and sobriety.

Build a strong support system.

Whether it’s bringing a sober friend to an event, planning alcohol-free outings with like-minded people, or having a therapist on call, surround yourself with positive influences who lift you up and encourage you.

Give yourself some grace.

Recovery from alcohol addiction is an ongoing process that can involve setbacks. So, if you’ve relapsed in the past, forgive yourself. Because beating yourself up certainly won’t help your recovery.

Everyone makes mistakes, but the key is to learn from them. Reflect on what happened, adjust your approach if needed, and prioritize activities that keep you feeling healthy and happy.

Happy Fourth!

Get Help for Alcohol Addiction in Mississippi

If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol addiction, we can help. Our inpatient rehab facility in Mississippi offers comprehensive, evidence-based care for alcohol use disorder, along with personalized treatment plans designed to meet your individual needs.

Our admissions navigators are available around the clock to discuss your treatment options, how to pay for rehab, and using insurance to pay for rehab. Call us at to start treatment and begin the path to recovery today.