Like many other holidays and celebratory occasions, Halloween can often be an excuse to overindulge in alcohol. If you’re living in a sober living home or this will be your first Halloween sober in years, it can be a challenging occasion. Fortunately, there are plenty of great ways to celebrate Halloween “boos-free.” Here are seven ideas for spooky sober fun.
1. Attend a Halloween-themed recovery event.
Many sober groups, sober living homes, and community support groups host sober events for holidays like Halloween, and if you’re new to recovery, this might be a great option for you. Events like these are held in safe, sober environments where you don’t have to worry about being asked if you want a drink or offered any drugs. You’re also likely to meet other newly sober people who share similar interests, life experiences, and goals.
2. Have a scary movie marathon.
Bring on the popcorn and settle in for some creepy Hollywood magic. Halloween is the best time of year to host a scary movie marathon with friends and there’s no lack of options with streaming options like Hulu, Netflix, and Prime Video. Of course, an important part of hosting a scary movie marathon is having a great lineup of films. Wired offers a great list of some of the best classic horror movies and Vulture recently published a list of the 50 best horror films on Netflix right now, so take your pick!
3. Host a sober Halloween party.
Can’t find a sober Halloween party to attend? Consider hosting your own. Decorating can be as simple as stringing up some lights, putting out some pumpkins, and hanging fake spider webs, and a potluck is a great way to enjoy a meal with friends without having to front the entire bill yourself. Whether you ask that your guests come dressed in costume or not, it’s sure to be a spooktacular good time.
Set up a DIY Halloween mocktails bar with these fall recipes.
4. Try your hand at some new Halloween recipes.
If you don’t feel like going out or hosting friends for a party, experimenting with seasonal recipes is a great way to get into the spirit of Halloween and also enjoy some tasty fall treats while you’re at it. The Food Network has a whole list of top 50 Halloween recipes to try, including sweet and savory festive foods like pumpkin cinnamon rolls, mac-o’-lantern and cheese bowls, and spider web guacamole. Whether cooking is a hobby of yours or you’re just trying to pass the time, creating something new in the kitchen can be an interesting experience that will ward off boredom and keep your mind (and stomach) occupied. So, eat, drink, and be scary!
5. Volunteer at a community event.
Volunteering is a great way to spend your time whether it’s Halloween or not, but this specific holiday provides many opportunities to get involved. Ask around at your church, recovery group, community center, or local library to get more information about local events that are planned for Halloween. Many family-oriented events need loads of volunteers to make sure activities are safe, fun, and accessible for all. If you have roommates in your sober living home, they may also want to join you and volunteer as a group, which would be another excellent way to get to know like-minded sober people. There are lots of personal benefits of volunteering in recovery and by volunteering on Halloween, you’re also helping many children and families make great memories. So, what’s not to love?
6. Go to a haunted house or fall festival.
Get your scare on at one of the haunted houses in the Austin, Houston, and Colorado Springs area. These attractions not only provide some great thrills and chills, but they also offer a fun way to get out of the house on Halloween. On the other hand, haunted houses aren’t everyone’s idea of fun. If you’re nodding in agreement, check out the local fall festivals in your area. Most offer family-friendly activities for all ages, like corn mazes, hayrides, pumpkin painting/carving, petting zoos, and festive photo opportunities. These events also often serve festive treats like homemade popcorn, pumpkin seeds, hot apple cider, and more for everyone to enjoy.
7. Carve or paint pumpkins with friends.
Carving pumpkins is not only a fun social activity, but it’s also a great way to express yourself artistically. Carve out some good times by making a day of it and heading to your local pumpkin patch to pick out the perfect pumpkin. Haul it back to your home or sober living house to create something amazing. While you’re carving, you can also clean up the seeds, toss them in a little salt and olive oil, and throw them in the oven for a crunchy and delicious Halloween snack. Instead of carving a pumpkin, you can also paint one for a whole different experience that still makes for a fun and sober Halloween experience.
Spending Halloween at a Sober Living Home
If you’re spending Halloween at a sober living home this year, you don’t have to miss all the festivities. There are still plenty of opportunities for spooky fun! You can do any of the things on this list on your own or with friends and your sober living home may also be hosting a special Halloween event for residents. Check with your sober living house manager for more details.
If this is your first Halloween sober, you may feel uncomfortable, unsure, or even haunted by past Halloweens when you spent the whole night binging on alcohol or drugs. Spending Halloween sober for the first time can be challenging, but living at a sober home while doing it can make things a whole lot easier.
Sober living homes provide residents with a safe, accountable, and substance-free atmosphere where they can gradually adjust to a lifestyle of sobriety after completing rehab. Not to mention, residents also receive all kinds of sobriety support, such as regular drug and alcohol testing, peer monitoring programs, and personalized recovery programming.
You don’t have to do Halloween sober on your own this year. The caring staff at Eudaimonia Recovery Homes is here to help. Call (512) 363-5914 to learn more about our recovery services and sober living homes in Houston, Austin, and Colorado Springs.
