’Tis the Season of Celebrating: 10 Sobriety Gift Ideas for Someone New in Addiction Recovery

The season of giving is upon us and the stress of finding the perfect gift that is both meaningful, practical, and special has set in. This is especially tricky when you are getting gifts for someone in recovery. Here are 10 gift ideas to let your loved one know that you care about them and are rooting for them as they forge their path to recovery:

1. Personalized Photo Album

Creating a personalized photo album is a great way to show someone in recovery how much they mean to you. It is something they can turn to as a reminder of how important the memories you share are and the wonderful things they have in their life.

2. Engraved Gift

Getting sober is no easy feat, so having something that marks this life event is something that can be cherished forever.  Sites such as Etsy offer many personalized sobriety gifts for men, such as this watch below which could be engraved with your loved one’s sobriety date that only they will see.

3. Adrenaline Rush

Many individuals in recovery originally turned to substances for the sensation of feeling ‘alive’. A natural, non-harmful adrenaline rush could be a fitting gift for someone in recovery. The gift itself could be skydiving, snowboarding or skiing, rollercoaster passes, rock climbing, cave diving, etc.

4. Funny Sobriety Items

There are countless items decorated with funny and all too true sayings about recovery. If you find something that suits your loved one’s sense of humor, grab it!

5. Books You Loved

If you know of or have read any books that had lasting positive impacts on your life or really engaged you, consider gifting a copy to your loved one. Another tried and true literary gift is the latest and greatest book on recovery or perseverance.

6. Something They Need

If your loved one is struggling with bills, lost a treasured item, or wanting to revamp their living space consider giving them a check to their electric company, replacing the item, or giving them a gift card to a home décor store. Pay attention to the things they mention and find a gift that meets that need.

7. Yoga Class

An important part of recovery is finding healthy ways to feel good and yoga does just that. Along with being great exercise and mentally rejuvenating, yoga classes provide attendees with a health-driven and positive community to connect with.

8. Guided Meditation Lessons

Meditation allows you to clear your mind, relax, and experience emotions in a non-threatening way, which is why it is the perfect gift for someone in recovery. Addiction takes a strong mental and physical hold on an individual and meditation is a tool for taking back control of yourself.

9. A gratitude Journal

On the path to recovery, one can lose sight of the amazing aspects of their life while they focus on trying to amend the hold addiction had on them. A gratitude journal provides your loved one with a tool for pausing and taking stock of those positive life factors as well as take pride in all of the things they have accomplished in recovery.

10. A Unique Gift

The world is full of incredible creatives who imagine, design, and create all manner of amazing things from engraved keychains to furniture with meaning. Within that, there is a collection of unique gifts that focus on sobriety, health, commitment, drive, and inspiration, all things that have immense meaning for someone in recovery. This holiday season consider getting your loved one a unique gift that you had created or customized to their individualism. Or, if you have the skills, you could create something yourself!