7 Good Gifts for Recovering Alcoholics

A recovering alcoholic is a person who has been addicted to alcohol and is trying to get sober. If you have a family member or other loved one that is a recovering addict and need some gift idea’s we’ve got you covered.

With alcohol being so prevalent during the holiday season it can be tough to come up with a good gift for those that are working hard to stay sober.

Some of the best gifts for your sober friend are gifts that remind them of their past lives, help them maintain sobriety, and provide a safe place for them to unwind.

A thoughtful gift will let the recovering alcoholic know that they no longer live in isolation and there are people out there who care about what happens to them.

1. Books on sobriety, spirituality, and healing

The best gifts for recovering alcoholics should be things that will provide comfort and support. Books are a great gift, since they allow the individual to explore a world of possibilities without needing any substances.

Books can provide a means of escape from the stresses or boredom of a recovery program, but more importantly it offers intellectual stimulation and mental exercise which has been shown to reduce cravings for alcohol.

1) We Are the Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life (2020) Laura McKowen

In this book, McKowen shares the story of her relationship with alcohol, drugs, and the mental illness that followed. She talks about how she got clean, and then found love.

McKowen’s memoir is a poignant exploration of addiction and recovery.

“The Lucky Ones” is written in an honest way that will resonate with addicts and non-addicts alike. It’s a must-read for anyone who has ever felt they were too broken to be loved by someone else.

2) Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol (2021) by Holly Whitaker

In a culture obsessed with alcohol, many people are pressured to drink and have a “normal” life. However, we have the choice to quit drinking and be radically authentic.

Hannah is on a mission to help women stop drinking. She emphasizes the importance of quitting drinking because of the impact it can have on your life. Quitting like a woman means that you don’t have an excuse or reason not to stop drinking.

3) This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol, Find Freedom, Discover Happiness & Change Your Life (2018) by Annie Grace

This book is about the process of quitting drinking. It offers a new approach that treats alcohol as just another problem to be solved. It includes practical exercises to help you stay sober, and offers insights into how alcohol affects your mood, relationships and health.

This book makes quitting drinking seem like an easier goal than it may have seemed before reading it. The tone of the writing is very conversational and there are helpful exercises at the end of each chapter for readers to try out themselves or with their friends.

4. A one year sobriety coin or medallion

This is a meaningful recovery gift for someone who has been sober for a year.

It’s always hard to stay sober, so if someone has reached one year of sobriety, it’s an accomplishment to be celebrated as a special occasion.

This coin would also be a great way to help someone stay sober by reminding them of the hard work of recovery they put in so far and how it’s worth it to keep going. The coin can act as a constant reminder of how much they have accomplished in fighting alcohol abuse and how much they are capable of achieving in the future.

5. Art supplies for a creative outlet

Alcoholics are often encouraged to stay away from alcohol. However, many alcoholics find it difficult to cope with the stress of sobriety. Alcohol is a coping mechanism for some people and art supplies can help them get through tough times.

Coping mechanisms are personal for every individual, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. For a recovering alcoholic, art supplies can be a way of coping with life without alcohol that also provides an outlet for creativity and expression that might otherwise have been lost in addiction.

There are many different types of art supplies that are used for a creative outlet. The best thing about these supplies is they can be used for many different types of art and hobbies.

Some examples of art supplies would be paint, canvases, brushes, acrylics, pastels, pencils or any other type of material that you would typically use for a hobby.

6. A personalized leather journal with a gratitude list or an inspirational quote

A journal is a great gift for those who are trying to find their passion or a higher purpose in life.

The leather journal is a great way to keep track of all the inspirational moments and to record their recovery journey.

If you can also get them a gratitude list to help them realize how much they have to be grateful for. This may seem like an ordinary activity for some people, but it’s important especially for those in the recovery process.

7. Give the Gift of Your Time and Presence

When it comes to supporting and encouraging your loved ones during the holiday season, it can be easy to lose patience, but there are many things you can do that will make a positive difference.

Take the time to listen when they need to talk and offer them encouragement during these difficult times. Offer your time by doing something together in nature or staying with them in their home. Let them know you will continue to make time for them after the holidays have passed.

Time is perhaps the most meaningful gift you could give.

Gifts You Shouldn’t Give to A Still Newly Recovered Alcoholic

Having a substance use disorder is no laughing matter. The power of an addiction can lead to poor choices. To help the sober person in your life stay that way stay away from giving these gifts.

Gift Cards

Obviously you would never give them a gift card to a liquor store, but maybe a restaurant? Is alcohol served there? When someone is still in the early stages of recovery it’s best to avoid any temptation. While gift cards may be your go-to gift idea, it’s best to skip it when it comes to trying to give a sober gift.

Bottom Line

Alcoholism is more than just a bad habit, it is a serious addiction and it can be hard to know what to give as a perfect gift.

If you are struggling to come up with great ideas for gifts for an alcoholic, consider giving them any of the gifts we’ve included here. From a book, a recovery milestone token, to a journal to record their thoughts and feelings during sobriety. You can’t go wrong with these gift ideas for recovering alcoholics.