Updated November 29, 2014.

Visitors to the About.com Alcoholism Forum were asked to share their personal experiences in maintaining sobriety during the holiday season. Their replies provide helpful tips for those who may be struggling to stay clean and sober through the temptations of the holidays.

Lisa's Holiday Tip

Hi, I am Lisa, alcoholic and addict. I have been clean and sober by the grace of God and AA since June 8, 1995.

I had a hard time getting sober, I also had a hard head, too!

I really wasn't honest, willing or open minded. Until I was I wouldn't get sober. For me, I had to follow every suggestion told to me, the first was to seek outside help after my last blackout.

My therapist was a member of Alcoholics Anonymous which I highly recommend for those seeking outside help. I was a daily, nightly, morning anytime, anywhere drinker so the holidays for me were no different than any other day, however if I wanted a good excuse then the holidays surely would be a good one for me!

Stick With the Winners

For those having trouble staying sober on the holidays:

• Don't drink and you won't get drunk!
• Here in Florida I know there are a lot of meetings face to face all the time, I suggest going to meetings constantly! I suggest sticking with the winners of AA constantly, and at all costs stay away from old people, places, and things you were familiar and comfortable with while drinking.
• Use the phone, people give their numbers not only for your health and well being but for theirs too! Stick with your sponsor, if you don't have one and you want what we have, you better damn well do what we did!

• I have learned that if I honestly want sobriety then I'd have to put my sobriety above all else, including my children and I'd have to ask "How important is that to me?" For me it became the most important thing in my life and I pray to my HP that it always will be!

"Remember, a slip starts way before you pick up, when you pick up, that's the end of the slip!
-- Lisa

More Holiday Tips