It can be difficult to stay sober during the holidays, none more so than Halloween. People with a past drug or alcohol addiction who are trying to maintain their sobriety often feel like there aren’t any super fun or wild ways to celebrate the holiday without relapsing.
These feelings of boredom or “not being fun anymore” are unfounded, though, and there are a myriad of ways to have a scarily fun Halloween without feeling tempted to start using or abusing drugs and alcohol again, all listed here in the eight best sober activities for your spookiest Halloween yet.
1. Attend a Haunted House
This is a classic. There is nothing that quite screams Halloween like visiting a haunted house, making your way through the passages in anticipation of every scare. Going through a haunted house sober could even mean double the scares and double the fun.
2. Carve Pumpkins
What says Halloween more than pumpkin carving? Gathering friends and family for a jack-o’-lantern carving competition is a great way to fuel your competitive spirit while enjoying a fun, laughter-filled evening. You could even roast the seeds for a delicious snack later on.
3. Scary Movie Marathon
Get your sober friends and family together for a scary movie marathon. Just don’t forget the popcorn and candy as you hide behind blankets to avoid seeing yet another one of the movie stars disappear into the woods.
4. Plan a Sober Halloween Party With Sober Friends
If you love a good Halloween party, but you’re worried you might be triggered and relapse, one of the best ways to satisfy your love for dancing and good music is to throw your own Halloween party with sober friends.
5. Volunteer
Lots of children’s homes, shelters, and other charities hold events on and around Halloween. By volunteering, you won’t only join a group of like-minded people who are enjoying Halloween together, but you get to give back to your community and the people who most need your help.
6. Hand Out Candy
Another Halloween tradition should have you heading to the grocery store. It may have become socially unacceptable to go trick or treating after your teen years, but that doesn’t mean you can’t spend your night helping trick or treaters load up on their candy.
7. Find Halloween-Themed Sports Events
Join a Halloween-themed 5k or mini-marathon. Most of these are costumed, so you’ll get to go out in costume and pretend you’re trick or treating, only minus the candy. Keep an eye out for other sporting events like soccer or basketball being played with a Halloween theme.
8. Bake Spooky Treats
If you’ve got a sweet tooth and a love for baking, getting your supplies out and whipping up some spooky treats like cupcakes and cookies could be a great way to enjoy the holiday without feeling the urge to relapse.
What To Do If You’re Feeling Tempted on Halloween
Many addiction treatment centers are equipped to help people who feel like they may relapse on Halloween.
If you don’t have a treatment center to reach out to, another option could be to seek out a support group like Alcoholics Anonymous that could help you find ways to cope with the triggers you’re experiencing.
It’s Okay Not To Celebrate
Sometimes one of the best things to remember for the sake of your sobriety is that celebrating Halloween is optional. You aren’t obligated to participate in any of the activities.
If you want to spend Halloween on your couch reading a book or watching TV, you’re completely entitled to do so. Your sobriety is important, and you should do whatever makes you comfortable and keeps you healthy and focused on your recovery journey.
If you or a loved one struggles with addiction or has relapsed and needs help, get in touch with the Adelante Recovery Center team at (949) 427-9099 to acquire the information, help, and treatment options you need to get back on track.