It’s that time of the year again. St. Patrick’s day can be a highly anticipated celebration for many people. Many times there are parade’s and day long events that often include excessive alcohol intake. People usually start early and day drinking can be something glorified and bragged about on social media. If you live in or around the Jersey Shore you know that parade season can last a few weekends. This trend can leave a lot of triggers for people who are recovering and trying to protect their recovery with substance use. Even if you want to go to the parade, the temptation and environment can be difficult when you see people inebriated, slurring their words, and being rambunctious. The boardwalk’s starting to come alive again. Bars are flooded and food concessions are open.

For someone who may be new or a veteran into recovery, this can be a difficult holiday to celebrate. Protecting your recovery is a long term commitment. It is something that rarely wavers and often takes consistent attention to maintain. It can lead to many different emotions surrounding it. You can feel alone as you stop hanging out with your core group of drinking buddies or party friends. It can be stressful to hush the urges to use. It can be irritation and frustration, tiresome, and overall exhausting. It can feel like a full time job, on top of a full time job you may already have. Regardless, it can be the most beautiful decision you have ever made. It can be full of freedom, clarity, sobriety, peace, and happiness. It can be the most rewarding decision you have ever made.

People, places, things. These are the mantras of what can lead us back to a relapse. If we are mindful of our triggers and use some of these coping skills, it can help us protect our recovery. It was easy to feel better when you used it but it never really took the trigger away. It masked it. Freedom from this with some of the following skills can earn you more peace and clarity and control.

• Stop and Think. Sometimes riding out those urges takes time and control. If you notice your thoughts are entertaining, stop, separate, and think about the pros and cons of the situation. Learn to delay and distract yourself until the urge is not as strong.

• Mindfulness. Find ways to relax and calm down your body like with deep breathing, relaxing your body, doing a meditation, taking a hot shower, drinking a hot cup of tea.

• Get moving. Go for a walk, exercise, do yoga, or dance. Getting your body moving can be a healthy and rewarding activity to feel better and manage stress.

• Call your sponsor, friend, or family member. Sometimes life is hard, your boss was overbearing today, or you have a flat tire. These things can lead to your wanting to pick up and also a good reason to talk to someone who supports you and can understand what you are feeling. If you learn to rely on these healthy supports it can help you protect your recovery.

• Journal. Writing your thoughts and feelings down can be a healthy way to express yourself, work through tough moments in your life, and find clarity. It can help you focus on positive things, feel gratitude and focus on the positive things in your life, and help you manage your stress.

• Know your triggers. When you know who or what will tempt you to pick up or use, it is much easier to figure out how to avoid them, manage them, cope with them, or walk away from them.

• Give Back. Sometimes it is nice to connect with humanity and find ways to keep busy and do something nice. Maybe look into ways to connect with your sober support network, volunteer, or get involved in your preferred religious network.

• Find your new routine. Ultimately, when you protect your recovery, it is helpful to get used to the new you. Figure out what you want your new routine to be. Is that to take a different route to work to avoid the liquor store you would stop into once you clock out? Is that to find a new hobby to replace your local bar’s “Thirsty Thursday’s”. Finding your new balance with work, personal, leisure/hobbies etc. can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience.

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