CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Holidays like New Year's Eve, can be triggering for those battling addiction or in recovery.

Over 28.3 million Americans, aged 12 and over, have an alcohol use disorder, according to the Medical University of South Carolina.

"For an addict and alcoholic every day is triggering," recovering alcoholic Vahalla Volundsson said, "But holidays are even more so because people are out partying and having a good time who don't suffer from the disease that addicts do."

Volundsson has been battling addiction for the last 36 years of his life.

"I was one of those people that went for months. I'd start on Dec. 31 and I wouldn't stop until March, April, May, whenever. I can't really remember a whole lot of those," said Volundsson.

But this year will be different. It's his first New Year sober in a long time- being 8 months on his recovery journey - thanks to Charleston Recovery Center. He'll still get to celebrate with others who also want a sober holiday.

"You can have a really great time being clean and sober. I didn't realize that, but now I do," Volundsson said.

Mayra Arena will be spending the night at home with some non-alcoholic beverages.

"Living in Charleston it's really easy to get caught up in the drinking scene and I want to have more deep meaningful relationships and I feel like when alcohol is involved you don't really get deep meaningful relationships with people around you," Arena said.

This is exactly why Emily Heintz, the owner of Sechey, started her alternative bottle shop which means no alcohol.

"To celebrate, socialize and connect," Heintz said.

It's a busy time at the shop because of Dry January. That's a choice people make to be alcohol-free for the entire month.

Mayra is taking it a step further.

"We do get busy right around now. Especially with alternative sparkling wines to substitute for champagne. We find that people are either completely alcohol-free, sober, curious, or they are sessioning, which is just substituting the second or third glass of champagne for an alternative," Heintz said.

Non-alcoholic drinks are one of many ways to begin the path to a sober journey.

"Anybody who is suffering from this disease, get help," Volundsson said.

Which can start with something as simple as a phone call. Just like it did for Volundsson. He now mentors others.