WisHope Recovery

staying sober on Halloween

Staying Sober on Halloween: Ideas and Resources

/ Addiction Recovery, Resource Friday / By

Staying Sober on Halloween: Ideas and Resources

Resource Friday. Halloween can bring out the fun in people. It can also bring out costume parties, bar crawls, and plenty of alcohol. If you are in recovery, the night can feel complicated.

You do not have to hide at home or white knuckle your way through it. With a few ideas and a short list of resources, you can enjoy staying sober on Halloween and have fun with the night on your own terms.

Decide What You Want Your Night to Look Like

Start by picking one of three paths: stay in, go out with a plan, or skip the night entirely. All three are fine. The best choice is the one that protects your recovery and leaves you feeling good the next morning.

Our post on recovery and the holidays offers a wider planning approach for the season. This post focuses on the next few days.

Sober Ideas That Work

Valley Hope’s article, Don’t Get Spooked: Five Sober Halloween Tips, offers some creative options. Here are a few of them.

You can host a substance free gathering at home, with decorations, games, and pumpkin carving. The article’s advice is to “control your environment and control your triggers.” You can hand out candy, take kids trick-or-treating, or spend the evening in with candles and a creepy playlist. You can volunteer at a local nonprofit’s Halloween event, which can support your community and your recovery. You can plan a movie marathon, with classic horror or family favorites like Ghostbusters or Hocus Pocus. You can also attend a meeting on October 31, in costume if you like.

If You Go Out

If you head to a party or event, carry a plan. A blog from NAMI by Caleb Anderson of Recovery Hope suggests a few practical steps. Bring a sober friend who knows about your recovery. Skip places that are heavy on drinking or full of stress. Bring your own drink, since holding a favorite non alcoholic beverage makes offers less likely. Prepare a short line to turn down drinks, and have an exit plan. Notice early warning feelings, leave if you cannot manage them, and use your own car or arranged transportation. You can read the full list in Tricks to Enjoy Halloween Treats While in Recovery.

Resources to Save Before the Weekend

Keep these handy on your phone:

  • Meeting finders. The SMART Recovery meeting finder shows online, in person, and national meetings within 50 miles of your location. SMART Recovery meetings are free to attend, though donations are optional. For Milwaukee, SoBaSearch lists AA, NA, Al-Anon, and other meeting types. It has no holiday notes, so confirm times before you go.
  • 988. If you are in crisis, call or text 988. SAMHSA’s helplines page links to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
  • SAMHSA’s National Helpline. Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) to find treatment options.
  • Your support person. Text someone you trust now and tell them your plan. Ask if you can check in tomorrow.
staying sober on Halloween night challenges

If the Night Gets Hard

Cravings can rise on nights like this one. Leave the event. Call or text your support person. Find a meeting. Eat something, drink water, and get somewhere calm.

If you drink or use, tell someone you trust and get back to your routine as soon as you can. One night does not erase your recovery, and honesty gets people back on track faster than shame.

The Bottom Line

Halloween does not need to be scary. Pick a plan, keep your resources close, and give yourself permission to leave early or skip the night altogether. Many people find they enjoy it more when they are clear headed.

If you want more support, learn about our treatment programs or complete our online pre-assessment form. Our admissions team is here to help you find the next step.