The temptation to drink usually arises when you feel anxious, depressed, or overwhelmed. Chaos and unpredictability are a breeding ground for triggers and the holiday season is full of both. Although you can’t eliminate every unexpected possibility, you can prepare yourself for them.

Hosting your own Thanksgiving gathering is one way to keep your day alcohol-free. Invite only a few people you know won’t mind having a sober Thanksgiving gathering. Maybe it’s your immediate family members or a few of your friends. You could even host a Thanksgiving gathering for a couple of your friends in recovery.

If you do attend a Thanksgiving gathering, let people know ahead of time that you aren’t drinking. You don’t need to inform everyone there if you aren’t open about your recovery. Keeping a few people in the loop will limit the external pressure to have a drink yourself. Those who know can also hold you accountable for your sobriety.

Bringing your own beverage is a great way to stay sober on Thanksgiving. You don’t have to worry about what the host has to drink if you bring something yourself. Having a drink in your hand throughout the day also keeps people from asking if they can get you something to drink.

To keep yourself from feeling left out, you can bring something that reminds you of a drink you used to enjoy. If you preferred canned beers, take a few cans of soda or sparkling water with you. If mixed drinks were more your thing, bring the ingredients to make a mocktail or two while you’re there.

Make sure the people in your recovery support system are ready to pick up the phone if you need them. People in your support system should already understand the difficulties that come with staying sober during the holiday season. Remind them that you might need some extra support during the next few days so you can stay sober on Thanksgiving.

Come up with an exit plan before you even arrive. Planning your exit before you get there relieves the inevitable pressure of people asking you to stay longer than you’re comfortable with. Drive yourself there so you aren’t reliant upon anyone to get you home. Decide how long you want to stay. You can even make plans for after the gathering to give yourself a real reason to leave by a certain time.

Another thing to remember is that it’s okay to say no. You don’t have to attend any gatherings that make you feel nervous or uncomfortable. Protecting your recovery is the most important thing you can do during the holiday season. If you think that going to an event will make it harder to stay sober on Thanksgiving, politely decline the invitation. Staying home on Thanksgiving with a few supportive friends is better than surrounding yourself with temptations to drink.