Creating a sober holiday season can feel challenging for teens and young adults in recovery—but with the right support and strategies, your festive season can also be meaningful, joyful, and substance-free.

Understanding the Challenge of a Sober Holiday Season

When you ask newly sober teens and young adults how they’re feeling about facing the holidays sober, they may say it’s “no big deal.” Don’t be fooled. Teens and young adults often don’t express fear or anxiety to parents, even when those feelings are very real. Your guidance matters more than you think.

The underlying challenge is a common belief: Holidays are a time when people celebrate with alcohol and drugs.

For some teens and young adults, it seems like everyone they know—family and friends—drinks or uses substances to have fun. While adults may recognize how inaccurate this belief is, for a young person who wants to fit in, substance use can feel like the norm.

The Impact of Family Patterns

Research shows that family drinking patterns significantly influence the behavior of young people:

• Teens who grow up watching adults drink heavily tend to drink more themselves, especially when they’re close to those people
• Having alcohol easily accessible at home increases the likelihood that people will drink
• Teens offered alcohol at home are twice as likely to have consumed alcohol in the last month and more likely to have been drunk at school or driven while intoxicated

The good news? Families can alter alcohol-related traditions to support sober teens and young adults.

Changing the Narrative

To change a belief, you must address the underlying misconceptions it’s based on.

Holiday parties may be fun, but most adults have witnessed occasions where someone acted foolishly, said something they regretted, or worse—was involved in an accident or arrest. Teens and young adults need to see that holiday cheer doesn’t require substances. We can all contribute to having sober fun.

Strategies for a Healthy, Sober Holiday Season

Start with a conversation. Meet with your teen or young adult to discuss ideas for a healthy, sober holiday season. Come prepared with suggestions and ask them to do the same. Share examples of how you or people you know have enjoyed holidays substance-free.

Create meaningful traditions:

• Participate in activities with people who value your loved one and their recovery
• Volunteer together at a shelter or organization that helps others
• Make your home a substance-free environment and plan activities without alcohol or other drugs
• Establish a plan for leaving situations where others want to use substances
• If your teen or young adult is in a 12-step program, encourage them to connect with others in recovery and invite new friends to holiday gatherings
• Be mindful of sleep patterns and nutrition—both are essential to emotional regulation and recovery
• Plan for fun and sober activities during gatherings you host: party games, a movie, or video game contests can all be great group activities

Plan for a Sober Holiday Season

We’ve all heard that failing to plan is planning to fail. With your family and other loved ones, plan gatherings that will feel fun for you, while allowing those in recovery to fully participate. You can create activities both at home and also as your attend other gatherings and community activities.

How ASAP Cincinnati Can Help Your Family

At ASAP Cincinnati, we understand the unique challenges teens and young adults face during the holidays and throughout the year. Our evidence-based programs provide the support families need:

For Teens (Ages 12–19):

• TRIP: Our intensive outpatient program for teen substance use combines family participation with proven modalities like CBT, motivational interviewing, and relapse prevention
• Clarity Intensive: A DBT-based program for teens struggling with emotional regulation and behavioral challenges
• Choices: An education program for teens experimenting with substances

For Young Adults (Ages 18–28):

• PIVOT: Our newest intensive outpatient program designed specifically for young adults navigating substance use recovery. With flexible scheduling and support system integration, PIVOT meets young adults where they are—supporting their turn toward tomorrow.

All of our programs are CARF-accredited and State of Ohio certified, with 88% of clients reporting significant symptom reduction within 10 weeks and 95% of families reporting improved family life post-treatment.

You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone

If your holiday isn’t what you hoped for and drugs or alcohol are part of the problem, we’re here to help. Early intervention makes a difference, and transformation is possible.

Contact ASAP Cincinnati today:

• 513-792-1272
• info@asapcincinnati.com
•  9403 Kenwood Rd. Ste. C-212, Cincinnati, Ohio 45242

At ASAP Cincinnati, we are Transforming Tomorrow, Starting Today.