Celebrate Sober Living in Maryland At These Fun Local Events
What you will learn
- Maryland has a number of exciting sober events to celebrate clean and sober living across the state.
- Some events take place during national holidays, such as National Recovery Month or Dry January.
- Others are hosted by individual organizations and groups that support addiction recovery.
- Organizations like NCADD Maryland and SAMHSA offer event calendars so you can attend clean and sober events in your area.
If you’re clean and sober, there’s a lot of fun to be had without alcohol and drugs. But if you want to take it a step further and celebrate your recovery with friends and family while encouraging others to seek help for their addiction, Maryland has plenty of events that do just that. Find out more about the local events and sober activities celebrating clean and sober living in Maryland, when they take place, and how you can join in.
Free Sober Yoga at Foundations of Serenity
Foundations of Serenity offers sober yoga to combine the healing and calming of yoga with a sober mindset. The classes are held every week on Wednesdays and cover basic yoga poses and breathing techniques for all skill levels. The inclusive environment is important for fostering connections and a sense of community support for people embarking on both yoga and serenity.
Art of Recovery at Maryland Hall
“Art of Recovery” is a digital exhibit brought to the Maryland Hall by Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency in partnership with Recovery Anne Arundel. This exhibit focuses on how artists use their talents for expression. The artwork focuses on recovery and the challenges of mental health and addiction. Some of the participating artists come from the Arundel Lodge and Chrysalis House, two organizations that assist with mental health and substance use disorders.
Paint Night
Hosted by Rage Against Addiction, Paint Night at the Fallston Barrel House is a fun way to celebrate Dry January. The next Paint Night is held on Tuesday, January 30, 2023, and includes a diverse group of clean and sober individuals.
Virtual Memory Walk/Recovery Run 2024
Rage Against Addiction is celebrating 10 years of service to the community with a Virtual Memory Walk/Recovery Run. Participants can log their miles virtually through April 2024 and collect donations to support the cause. This year’s run starts April 1 and continues through April 30, 2024.
In-Person Memory Walk/Recovery Run 2024
If you prefer to participate in the run in person, Rage Against Addiction hosts the in-person fundraising event on April 13, 2024 at 12:00 pm in Cedar Lane Regional Park in Bel Air. This event is for everyone from a casual walker to an experienced runner and helps the organization continue their vital work in the community. You must register in advance to participate.
9th Annual International Overdose Awareness Day
Montgomery County hosts its annual International Overdose Awareness Day Fair with a ceremony of remembrance and candlelight vigil. Named “Mongomery Goes Purple,” the event commemorates the global International Overdose Day to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths. Find out more about the upcoming event with announcements.
Going Purple Challenge Week
Going Purple Challenge Week in Montgomery County features the “Safe vs. Unsafe” sorting game at the Gaithersburg Community Museum. Families can bring their children to the museum during normal operating hours to participate in a sorting game to recognize safe vs. unsafe drugs and develop good habits.
Annual Recovery Picnic
Hosted at Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm, the Annual Recovery Picnic is a free community event with guest speakers, a graduation ceremony, music, and festivities for the whole family. This event takes place near the end of September, but you can get more information on the Gaithersburg website.
NCADD-Maryland Events
NCADD-Maryland hosts educational, advocacy, and fundraising events throughout the year that focus on addiction, prevention, treatment, and recovery. In 2023, NCADD hosted the David E. Nelson Recovery Classic, a summer golf tournament at the premier 18-hole golf course with prizes, a patio cookout, and a buffet dinner and awards presentation. Check the NCADD website for upcoming events.
Recovery Anne Arundel Events
Established in 2008 under the Anne Arundel County Department of Health, Recovery Anne Arundel is a community of people who educate and empower others through advocacy and events. In addition to a 24/7 crisis response “warmline,” Recovery Anne Arundel offers events throughout each month like 12-step yoga, monthly support meetings, and virtual grief groups. Check the calendar of events for upcoming dates.
St. Mary’s Goes Purple Walk for Recovery
Each year, the St. Mary’s County Health Department hosts the St. Mary’s Goes Purple Walk for Recovery in September. The free, family-friendly event celebrates those recovering from substance use to help end the stigma surrounding mental health and addiction. You can check for the upcoming walk announcements through the SMCHD website.
Seek Help for Addiction
National holidays and events like Dry January and National Substance Use Prevention Month are intended to support people in recovery and help others find the support they need to seek help. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, take the first step today.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sober Living In Maryland
What Is the Dry Town in Maryland?
Damascus used to be a dry community. it lasted for decades until the residents voted to end the ban of alcohol sales in 2013.[1] Now, the town has restaurants that can sell beers and wines.
What Is National Recovery Month?
National Recovery Month began in 1989 as a national observance to promote and support evidence-based treatment and recovery for addiction.[2] It takes place in September each year and often includes a range of events that focus on sobriety and recovery.
What Is National Sober Day?
National Sober Day is celebrated on September 14th each year and encourages people to bring awareness to addiction.[3] Events on National Sober Day focus on showing support for people in recovery, and friends and family often observe by taking part in sober events with their loved ones.
What Are Sobriety Celebration Dates?
A sober celebration date may be the last day someone used drugs or alcohol or the first full day after their last use. Some people consider their sober celebration date to be the day they entered treatment, while others may choose to remember the day they first sought help.
Sober celebration dates may be celebrated once a year as a milestone, but in early recovery, people may choose to celebrate monthly or quarterly progress.
What Is Sober October?
Sober October is a month-long challenge that calls on participants to abstain from drugs and alcohol for the whole month.[4] It began in the UK but has since spread around the world, including the US.
The goal of Sober October is to encourage people to take a break from substance use and focus on their well-being. While this can be a good practice for people who use substances occasionally, it can be dangerous for people who are dependent on substances and may experience withdrawal.
What Is Red Ribbon Week?
The red ribbon is a symbol of awareness for substance abuse, including alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. American schools observe Red Ribbon Week with programs to raise awareness of substance abuse.[5] Addiction recovery, however, uses a teal ribbon.
What Is Prevention Month?
National Substance Abuse Prevention Month takes place in October and allows communities to come together to prevent substance use.[6] The events surrounding Prevention Month are intended to acknowledge those in recovery and the family and friends supporting them.
[1] Robinson, K. (2013, February 19). Cheers! dry spell ends in Damascus, Md.. NBC4 Washington. Retrieved from https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/cheers-dry-spell-ends-in-damascus-md/2043958/# on 2023, December 19.
[2] National recovery month 2023. SAMHSA. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/recovery-month on 2023, December 19.
[3] Lerner, L. (2023, September 14). National sober day recognized by ILCC. WSIU. Retrieved from https://www.wsiu.org/wsiu-local-news/2023-09-14/national-sober-day-recognized-by-ilcc on 2023, December 19.
[4] Go sober: Macmillan cancer support. Go Sober 2023. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.gosober.org.uk/ on 2023, December 19.
[5] Families, I. (n.d.). Red Ribbon Campaign: Largest Drug-use prevention campaign in the U.S. Red Ribbon Campaign | Largest drug-use prevention campaign in the U.S. Retrieved from https://www.redribbon.org/ on 2023, December 19.
[6] Peterson, S. (2023, October 2). National Substance Abuse Prevention Month. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Retrieved from https://www.nctsn.org/resources/public-awareness/national-substance-abuse-prevention-month on 2023, December 19.
