How Do You Celebrate One Year of Sobriety?
Celebrating the first year of recovery and establishing this achievement to be a yearly tradition is a great way for reinforcing the resolve to stay clear and sober.
We had no time for anything but to get our next fix in our addiction. All our time and money was spent on our addiction. We had no time for family, friends, not even ourselves. Our lives had no direction, no future; the life we once wished for ourselves was lost with that one hit, that one shot, and it seemed hard to believe we could ever get it back. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH):
Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences. The initial decision to take drugs is voluntary for most people.
Still, repeated drug use can lead to brain changes that challenge addicted people’s self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs. Moreover, these brain changes can be persistent, which is why drug addiction is considered a “relapsing” disease—people in recovery from drug use disorders are at increased risk for returning to drug use even after years of not taking the drug. 
Show Newcomers That We Do Recover
When we decide that we have had enough, no matter how long it takes, and are tired of being sick and tired, we finally take that first step and ask for help. Then, we either enter a detox facility, or a residential treatment facility, sometimes an outpatient program is enough, or we join a support group such as a twelve-step fellowship. Whatever the steps we take to end our addiction, we have made that choice to be ready for a life of recovery.
A Celebration of Sobriety is Well Deserved
When you come upon a year of sobriety, you can hardly believe you made it. It is an incredible achievement. While each person’s recovery and journey to sobriety are different, everyone has the same doubts, fears, and struggles. So it is important to celebrate huge milestones along with your sober birthday. Not only are sober birthdays indicative of a big change for each person, but they are also symbols that someone is finding their success in life beyond the influence of drugs or alcohol. Celebrating the first year sober and establishing this personal holiday is important. There are several things that someone can do to help them internalize the profound nature of their accomplishment.
- Have a “Me” Day – Staying sober can be hard work, so celebrate your sobriety birthday by rewarding yourself for all your hard work in the last year. For example, pamper yourself with a spa day or treat yourself in other ways that you enjoy.
- Plan a Fun Activity – Make your sober anniversary memorable by planning a fun activity for the day. Go to an amusement park, get tickets to a sporting event, head to the driving range, or go bowling. The possibilities are endless. Choose something you will enjoy in an environment that won’t be overwhelming.
- Share Your Story – Although you may be sober, plenty of other people still struggles with addiction and neglect to get help. A good way to celebrate your sobriety anniversary may be to share your story. Speaking up could give someone the courage to get help for themself. Sharing your story can also remind you of how far you’ve come and that you never want to go back.
How Can I Celebrate My Sobriety Anniversary?
Figuring out how to celebrate a sobriety anniversary is up to you, but it is important to celebrate. We at Evoke Waltham can help you get your life back. We understand that the treatment process can be difficult at times. At our addiction treatment facility, our team is always “on call” and we are committed to assisting you in making progress towards a new life free from the grips of addiction. Every second in active addiction makes it more difficult to reach out for help. Break the barrier of substance abuse and begin healing from the underlying causes of your addiction. Contact our specialists at Evoke Waltham anytime, we are always ready to help.
