Last Updated on August 5, 2026
- You can still enjoy the holiday season sober.
First and foremost, enrolling in an addiction treatment program during the holidays doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the season. Somewhere along the line, someone decided that in order to be “festive” or to have fun during the holidays, you have to drink. This is a lie that many people have bought into. In fact, during the holidays, U.S. alcohol consumption increases dramatically every year, and one survey even found that Americans drink twice as much alcohol during the holidays compared to the rest of the year.1 Despite what our culture may convey, overindulging in alcohol is not a necessary part of celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve, and you can still have a great time celebrating the holidays in rehab while you work to achieve a better and healthier version of yourself.
- It’s too easy to talk yourself out of going to rehab.
How many times have you put something off only to rethink it later and forego it entirely? You may tell yourself or your loved ones that you’ll take care of your drug addiction after the holidays, but when that time comes around, it’s far too easy to convince yourself that you don’t need treatment after all. Deciding to enroll in drug rehab and get help for your addiction is a difficult choice to make in the first place, but putting it off is a surefire way to make sure it never happens. One of the best ways to make good on a commitment is to get to work right away, so why should your addiction treatment be any different?
- Time is never guaranteed.
As someone who is addicted to drugs or alcohol, you may have had your own personal experiences with overdose or, at the very least, be well aware of the risks involved with long-term drug and alcohol abuse. Drug abuse and addiction have severe, life-threatening consequences that shouldn’t be ignored. If you’re binging on cocaine daily, injecting heroin regularly, or always blackout drunk, your life is no longer your own; it’s controlled by your addiction and the side effects of that lifestyle can be devastating. Unfortunately, time is never guaranteed but we can always make the most of the time we have now.
- Procrastinating is, in essence, denying the problem.
Continually putting off a decision to get help for your addiction is a form of denial. Denial is a common problem for people who are suffering from addiction and it often displays itself in many different ways. Thinking that you’re in control of your drinking, believing you’re a victim to your life circumstances, or underestimating the impact your substance abuse has on others are all common forms of denial.2 Many of these thoughts are rooted in an unwillingness to admit the problem and get help for it and denial is one of the main roadblocks that keep people from enrolling in drug rehab. You may have the desire to get sober, but being willing to admit the problem, accept help, and give up your old addictive habits are all important aspects of long-term sobriety.
- Going to rehab now also has its benefits.
Waiting to go to rehab may seem ideal, but enrolling now also has its benefits. The busyness and responsibilities of life will always be present but putting your physical and mental health on the backburner could have severe consequences. In addition, enrolling in rehab before Christmas and New Year’s Eve gives you a free pass to avoid all those crazy holiday parties and New Year’s Eve parties that often involve alcohol and drug abuse. The thought of socializing sober may seem daunting, but in rehab, you’ll be surrounded by like-minded people who also want to pursue a life in recovery, so you don’t have to face the temptation to drink or feel socially isolated. Instead, you can spend your holiday season building healthy relationships and working hard to ensure that next year’s holidays are sober, meaningful, and better than ever.
The truth is, no one can force you to enroll in rehab. The choice to go and the timing of it all is up to you. However, you don’t have to wait until the holidays are over to make a change that may transform your life. It is possible to fully recover from addiction and you can start today.
If you’re ready to take hold of a fresh start, or you recently relapsed and need help getting back on track, the friendly and knowledgeable admissions team at Nova is ready to help you. We can help you determine what type of rehab program will meet your needs, verify your insurance over the phone, and begin the enrollment process if you decide to pursue treatment. Call (888) 857-0557 to speak with a Nova admissions representative today.
References:
- https://nypost.com/2018/12/04/people-drink-twice-as-much-alcohol-over-the-holidays/
- https://www.verywellmind.com/definition-of-denial-22200
Your Actionable First Steps to Getting Sober
Ready to get sober is more than a decision—it’s a commitment that deserves a concrete plan. The following steps are based on evidence-based recovery practices and tested by hundreds of Nova Recovery Center clients in Austin.
Step 1: Acknowledge Your Readiness and Reach Out Today
Recognizing you’re ready is the hardest part. The next step is immediate: call (512) 893-6955 to speak with a recovery specialist. You don’t need to have all the answers. Our team will listen, assess your situation, and explain your options without judgment.
Step 2: Get a Professional Assessment
Every person’s path to sobriety is different. A comprehensive intake assessment identifies:
- The substances or behaviors you’re struggling with
- Co-occurring mental health conditions (depression, anxiety, trauma)
- Medical safety needs during withdrawal
- Your work, family, and personal commitments
- Insurance coverage and payment options
This assessment takes 30–60 minutes and determines whether you need detox, inpatient rehab, or outpatient treatment.
Step 3: Choose the Right Level of Care
Medical Detox (if needed): If you’re withdrawing from alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines, medical detox in Austin or Wimberley keeps you safe with 24/7 monitoring and medication support. Learn more in our comprehensive drug detox services guide.
Inpatient Residential Rehab: 28–90 days of intensive, structured care in a supportive environment. Ideal if you need to step away from triggers or have tried outpatient treatment before. Read real stories in our recovery stories.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): 9–20 hours per week of therapy, group sessions, and counseling. You live at home and maintain work or school. Available in-person in Austin, Houston, San Antonio, or Colorado Springs, or online via secure telehealth.
Step 4: Prepare Mentally and Practically
Before your first day:
- Tell someone you trust: A family member, close friend, or sponsor. Accountability and support matter.
- Arrange logistics: Time off work, childcare, medication refills. Our team can help with FMLA paperwork and employer communication.
- Write down your “why”: Why sobriety matters to you. Refer to it on hard days.
- Review what to expect: 10 things you need to know about entering rehab.
Step 5: Engage Fully in Treatment
Recovery responds to effort. Attend therapy sessions, participate in group work, and be honest with your counselors. Nova’s evidence-based therapies—including CBT for alcohol dependence, family therapy, and life skills training—work when you’re engaged.
Step 6: Plan Your Aftercare Before You Leave
Discharge isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of long-term recovery. Before you complete your program, work with your team to establish:
- Weekly outpatient or alumni counseling sessions
- AA, NA, or SMART Recovery meeting schedule
- A relapse prevention plan and emergency contacts
- Structured aftercare support
Real Success Metrics: What Gets Better
Sobriety changes your life in ways big and small. In the first 30 days, many clients report:
- Clearer thinking and better sleep
- Reduced shame and anxiety
- Restored trust with family
- Physical health improvements (lower blood pressure, reduced cravings)
By 90 days, participants often see career progress, stronger relationships, and a renewed sense of purpose. Read how others transformed their lives.
Common Questions About Getting Sober
Q: What if I’ve relapsed before?
A: Relapse is a setback, not failure. Most people attempt recovery multiple times before sustained sobriety. Each attempt teaches you something. Our addiction monitoring and relapse prevention programs address what didn’t work before and strengthen your toolkit. Learn how to recover after a relapse.
Q: Can I keep my job while in treatment?
A: Yes. Intensive outpatient and evening programs let you work during the day. Some employers offer paid leave under FMLA. Explore how to maintain employment during rehab.
Q: What about my family?
A: Family involvement accelerates recovery. Nova offers family therapy and counseling to rebuild trust and teach healthy communication.
Q: How do I pay for rehab?
A: Most health insurance plans cover addiction treatment. If you don’t have insurance, Nova works with you on payment plans and state-funded options. Learn about transparent pricing and affordability.
Q: What if I have depression or anxiety too?
A: Many people struggle with addiction AND mental health conditions (called dual diagnosis). Nova treats both simultaneously with integrated dual diagnosis care.
The Bottom Line: You’re Not Alone
Getting sober is possible, regardless of how many times you’ve tried or how hopeless it feels right now. Nova Recovery Center has helped hundreds of Austinites, Houstonians, San Antonio residents, and people nationwide reclaim their lives through evidence-based treatment, compassionate care, and real accountability.
Your first call is the hardest step. Make it today: (512) 893-6955. A real person will answer, listen, and help you move forward.
