Author: Charles Frank

How Do I Stay Sober When All My Friends Drink?

This can mean beefing up the non-alcoholic drink selection and offering more food options or other treats. Others in recovery, have more time or experience in dealing comfortably with such events, and may feel confident in their recovery while being around others who drink. After recovering from alcoholism and becoming sober, the goal shifts to maintaining recovery and avoiding relapse.

“The findings of these studies are actually very surprising,” White says. Health risks linked to heavy, long-term drinking are well known, but this is some of the first evidence to help scientists understand how the body responds to even a short break from moderate alcohol use. It included just 16 people who had been in the habit of drinking about two drinks per day on average. Still, the findings were provocative, scientists say, and merit following up. And while there is virtually no downside to taking a break from drinking alcohol — or quitting altogether — science is just beginning to study the ways abstinence might be good for you.

Furthermore, we’ll explore identifying triggers and avoiding temptation, understanding why it’s crucial for maintaining sobriety. Additionally, we’ll look at enjoying life beyond alcohol consumption by exploring fun activities that don’t involve alcohol and advantages of ordering non-alcoholic drinks over water. Among recovering individuals themselves, in order to reduce risks, some choose only to attend sober parties or events. In some instances, family and friends may choose to hold their parties without alcohol, or at least downplay the central role that drinking might take.

Understand what you get out of drinking alcohol

1. If you’ve been led to believe one thing your entire life, chances are you’re going to keep believing that thing is true.
2. I live on a campus where it is very normalized to party, but my normal is to stay away from those spaces and stay home.
3. John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine.
4. For any and all suggestions, comments, or questions, please contact Mental Health America.
5. Additionally, we’ll look at enjoying life beyond alcohol consumption by exploring fun activities that don’t involve alcohol and advantages of ordering non-alcoholic drinks over water.

To avoid relapse and remain sober, it’s important to develop healthy relationships. It felt like a slap in the face when people were drinking around me, and I was trying to stay sober. Look for mocktails, alcohol-free beers or wines, herbal teas, flavored sparkling water, or creative concoctions made with juices and sodas.

How common is relapse?

Some will certainly remain, but even those aren’t necessarily long-game friendships. Sobriety is kind of like the fast-pass line at Disneyland, except the ride is growing up. Personally, I always thought drunk people were fun, and I didn’t want my own poop relationship with alcohol to stand out. I wanted to blend in nicely with a crowd who understood that sometimes you just want to drink your face off, or one that didn’t think anything was weird about a glass of noon wine. In addition, staying sober can save you money which would otherwise be spent on buying drinks at bars or restaurants – another reason worth celebrating.

Addiction Destroys Dreams, We Can Help

It was my jumping-off point into a life I knew I had buried inside of me. I got out of debt, started a company that provides digital recovery, launched a podcast, and am in the middle of writing a book. Communicate your concerns respectfully, and seek professional help from healthcare providers specializing in addiction recovery if needed. If these emotions become excessive, they can hold you back from recovery. If you are trying to maintain a sober lifestyle, those feelings can become toxic and contribute to relapse if you don’t deal with them properly. Some of the immediate changes you will need to make will be obvious—like not hanging around the people that you used with or obtained drugs from.

She says she feels calmer since she became sober, and she has lost 30 pounds. Our free, confidential telephone consultation will help you find the best treatment program for you. We can also guide you in approaching a loved one who needs treatment. Remember, you’re not alone; there are resources available to help you stay focused on sobriety. Exercise regularly, eat healthily, get enough sleep, and engage in mental well-being activities like meditation or yoga. By being open about your struggles and victories, others can join you on this path towards wellness.

Decide Which Friendships to Keep

Look for cultural festivals, fitness classes, or hobby-based groups. Exploring new and diverse activities can provide alternative avenues for socializing, creating memories, and connecting with others. If you’re like most drinkers, you’ve likely surrounded yourself at some point with a group of people who also drink.

Alta Mira Recovery Programs

You need to do things that will take you to new environments and have an awesome experience without a single drop of booze. Attend a book launch, and there are almost certainly going to be drinks. Sure, it’s a bad idea to get blackout drunk at live music, but they still allow you to buy alcohol there. Over the past 12 years, Marshall has seen a lot of changes in the way people view sobriety. Back when he was getting sober, you either drank — or you didn’t, he says. “Those early days of abstinence from alcohol were so tough, because I had no friends,” he says.

A summary of what to do to have fun without alcohol

In the far corner, about a dozen women in a group are clearly enjoying themselves too, but they are not drinking alcohol. They’re sipping handcrafted mocktails, with names like Baby’s First Bourbon and Honey Dew Collins, featuring nonalcoholic distilled spirits. My biggest fears in life include being in large groups of strange people, standing at parties by myself, and really just people in general. Drunk me didn’t have to worry if I was alone at a party because drunk me didn’t abide such things. Drunk me didn’t worry if she belonged, or said the right thing, or had to have small talk because drunk me just handled that. In these moments, I have to remind myself that recovery isn’t just about not drinking; it’s about remembering that I am first and foremost responsible for advocating for my own well-being and boundaries.

It’s not just your drinking buddies and drug dealers who can get you into trouble—sometimes those who are closest to you can contribute to a relapse. If a 12-step program doesn’t sound appealing, you can look for other support groups. Many will organize substance- and alcohol-free events to help fill members’ evenings and weekends. Besides being an excellent opportunity to meet other sober people, participating in a support group gives you a higher chance of remaining substance-free. The proliferation of craft mocktails made with nonalcoholic distilled spirits is making it easier and more fun for people who abstain from alcohol to feel like they are still part of the party. This might seem like a terrible thing; this is not a terrible thing.