About Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is an annual holiday that takes place right before the beginning of Lent. The purpose of this holiday is to enjoy some of the activities, drinks, or foods that are likely to be sacrificed for 40 days during Lent. This means that the holiday typically involves extravagant celebrations and indulgences, some of which may involve alcohol or other controlled substances. Mardi Gras events tend to be loud, colorful, and full of different forms of entertainment. Although the traditional meaning of Mardi Gras has focused on overindulgence, you don’t have to celebrate the holiday in this way. Mardi Gras can also be used as an opportunity to express your gratefulness for all of the blessings you have in your life. Instead of overindulging in these blessings or engaging in activities that may be risky to your health, you can focus your celebration on thankfulness, positivity, and love. [middle-callout]
How To Celebrate Mardi Gras Sober
At first glance, it may seem like Mardi Gras and sobriety are not compatible. However, celebrating Mardi Gras while maintaining your sobriety is easier than you may think. Most of the festivities enjoyed on Mardi Gras don’t require you to drink alcohol. You can still enjoy the parades and other activities just as you did before. If you miss the feeling of a drink in your hand, you can even prepare or order non-alcoholic cocktails to make the night as close to your previous traditions as possible. Keep in mind that it is important to avoid any situation in which you may be tempted to drink or use drugs. For some people in recovery, attending a traditional Mardi Gras celebration that includes alcohol may be too difficult and triggering. If you don’t feel like you can handle being around alcohol without putting your sobriety at risk, consider alternatives for the Mardi Gras holiday. One way to enjoy the holiday safely is to host your own alcohol-free party or event. This is also an excellent opportunity to reconnect with members of the addiction recovery community while giving them a safe environment to celebrate the Mardi Gras. There are plenty of ways to have fun and make memories at an alcohol-free Mardi Gras party. For example, you may plan games, serve Mardi Gras inspired food, hire a DJ, or even sing karaoke to make the night as exciting as possible.
Self-Care On Mardi Gras
If Mardi Gras itself is too triggering for you and you’re worried about compromising your sobriety, you need to take steps to protect yourself on this holiday. Instead of attending an event or attempting to host your own, consider looking for a better and safer way to spend the day. For example, you may decide to spend the day at home relaxing with a few friends or family members. Alternatively, you may choose to spend the day on your own, recharging your batteries, focusing on the future, and enjoying plenty of chocolates or tasty sweets.
Seeking Help When You Need It
With the right preparation and the proper mindset, Mardi Gras can be a safe, fun holiday that does not threaten your sobriety. However, because you can’t plan for every possibility, there is always a chance that you will face a trigger on Mardi Gras. If you find yourself struggling to stay clean at an event or even in your own home, be sure to reach out for the help you need immediately. Contact your peer sponsor or another resource available within the recovery community, such as a alcohol addiction treatment center, to find support and avoid relapse.
