Choosing sobriety is a significant lifestyle change that comes with numerous benefits. Remind yourself of the advantages of sobriety, especially when surrounded by those consuming alcohol. The first step towards preparing yourself involves developing strategies to handle questions or comments about your choice of non-alcoholic beverages. It’s important not just to anticipate these queries but also have go-to responses ready that reflect your decision positively. This article provides some helpful tips on how to address such inquiries effectively. There are many resources offering support and ideas for sober socializing.
Manage Physical Pain
You can also talk to friends or family members beforehand and let them know you have your worries about attending and would love their support. Having a support network is great when you’re trying to see how you feel without drinking. It’s also great when you’re just trying to find fun things to do that don’t result in a foggy morning-after. Here’s a solid list of sober activities that are actually fun, whether you’re trying to cut back on drinking or just want to add a little variety to your life. Some people in recovery take different driving routes just to avoid their old haunts, like their favorite bar on the way home from work. If you’ve had hangouts where you drank, do yourself a favor, and steer clear of these places on your sobriety journey.
- These professionals offer evidence-based personalized treatments tailored to individual needs and are equipped to provide the support needed during tough times.
- Either way, you don’t need to concern yourself with this stuff today.
- Embracing a lifestyle of sobriety by participating in activities that don’t involve substance use sometimes isn’t as easy as it sounds.
More on Substance Abuse and Addiction
Although applying the principles of recovery to a breakup may help you avoid a relapse, it’s not a cure-all. When love ends, we suffer, and such suffering takes time to heal. I’ve spent the last seven years researching and understanding alcoholism, addiction, and how people get sober.
- Do not delay seeking professional advice or mental health treatment because of something you have read about on Sober Healing.
- Support is available, and you never have to be alone on your sobriety journey.
- Exploring these resources can help you build a network of support and find new ways to enjoy socializing without alcohol.
- Enjoy life beyond alcohol consumption, utilize the buddy system, celebrate the benefits of sobriety, and carry reminders.
Professional Treatment Options for Addiction
You can have a Sunday Funday without the mimosas. If you can’t, there are yummy non-alcoholic being sober around drinkers sparkling wines out there for you to try. You don’t need to purge everything that doesn’t bring you joy, but a sober weekend is the perfect time to get your house in order. Bring the kids if you have them, or borrow some from your friends. Bonus points if they’re teens and you embarrass them at any time. Host one at home with your favorite mocktails or non-alcoholic wines if you don’t want to tempt yourself at the bar.
Give yourself permission to need support
You may want to start an exercise routine — exercise releases brain chemicals called endorphins, which can make you feel good. Or you might rather spend time volunteering for a good cause, like an animal shelter or children’s hospital. Whatever it is, new activities can lead to new friends with interests like yours. Have some sober friends you can invite as your plus-one to a social event like a party or wedding.
FAQs in Relation to How to Stay Sober Around Drinkers
If everyone else starts getting drunk, don’t hesitate to leave early. Remember that your well-being takes precedence over popular opinion or societal norms. The ability to prioritize self-care is one of the empowering aspects of choosing sobriety. Triggers can be anything from certain people or places to specific situations that make you want to drink.
Or it can be more elaborate if you thrive on structure, with time blocked off for self-care or activities to ensure boredom doesn’t sneak in and cause you to have cravings. BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor. Many 12-step programs have mastered celebrating sobriety.
Have a support system in place
Be ready to seek help if you feel you’re at risk of relapse. If you have toxic relationships with family members who criticize you or even downplay your recovery, it is perfectly OK and recommended not to entertain those relationships. If people can’t refrain from drinking and using around you, even when you think that you will be fine, stop. Give yourself time to build a sober life before being certain you can be around people using. One of the most critical elements of staying sober is having a strong support network.
Sometimes getting drunk is the thing that bonds us to our social circle. When you take alcohol away, the relationship changes. It’s normal to feel depressed after you quit drinking. Alcohol disrupts your brain chemistry, impacting important cognitive functions and your mood and ability to self-regulate stress and anxiety. Another part of establishing a solid sober relationship is to engage in shared pleasures. Intimacy, including but not limited to sexual intimacy, is for most couples a shared pleasure that may have waned over time.
When you quit drinking, you must unlearn that to a large extent. Have you ever done a Tough Mudder or Color Run? Now granted, alcohol is involved sometimes, but you don’t have to partake. More than likely, someone will take the initiative to include you.