For others, being the only sober person in the room can be awkward, and being responsible for getting other people home may be too much pressure. « I make sure that I have my own transportation – either my own car or a taxicab phone number. » Maybe you always downed a six-pack while watching football with the guys, so it’s challenging to get through a Super Bowl party sober. Or you always drank when you smoked socially, so being offered a cigarette at a party might make you crave liquor. Any activity that you’ve closely paired with alcohol in the past may trigger the desire to drink, Willenbring says. Turning down a cigarette, an invitation to a Super Bowl party, or another problem activity can help you avoid high-risk situations.
Practice assertiveness
- Hanging with others who don’t drink makes me feel less like a boring ‘killjoy’ for not wanting to drink, because we have lots of fun without the aid of alcohol.
- There may be times when you give in to peer pressure and have a few drinks.
- Should you pick up a different hobby or change your attitude?
- But in time, I got used to this new world, and more accepting of myself.
- « It’s about wondering if there’s something else that needs to be in place to help them stay on track. »
It’s sometimes a good idea to remind yourself why you’re at a party and putting yourself in the situation of being around a lot of people drinking and getting messed up. It’s absolutely not because you’re there to drink or use. It’s because human connection is one of the fucking greatest things in the world, and screens are not an adequate substitute for IRL interaction.
- Your sobriety is your own, and you can share as much or as little about it as you like.
- Consider ordering a classic non-alcoholic cocktail such as a Shirley Temple, trying a zero-alcohol beer, or even a glass of alcohol-free wine.
- Read on to learn more about how substance use disorder can impact everyone and how to best help someone get sober and stay sober.
- This lifestyle can offer new experiences and a fresh perspective on social interactions, including the discovery that it’s definitely possible to have fun without drinking.
- And showing up to the party as me — cranky me, awkward me — made me feel so raw and exposed.
#4: Show Your Support By Setting an Example
Those folks are there to do their thing, you’re there to do yours. When you use alcohol, it gives you a synthetic confidence that dissipates the next day — you don’t really have it. I’ve had to push myself out of my comfort zone, to let go and meet people. That helped me build up a real innate confidence that’s kind of stayed with me.
Surround Yourself With Supportive People
Dedicating this time to self-care and satisfying hobbies can help you stay motivated to maintain a sober curious lifestyle. Dropping a bad habit and making a healthy change in life is always challenging. There may be times when you give in to peer pressure and have a few drinks. Or maybe you go past your set limit and wake up the next day full of regrets.
In these cases, non-alcoholic substitutes can come in handy. Since more and more people are choosing to abstain these days, the choice and quality of non-alcoholic drinks has improved a lot in recent years. You don’t need to gather all your friends in one room and make a big announcement. You can casually mention your new drinking habits in one-on-one interactions. Just make sure they understand that you’re serious about the change. Many of us use alcohol to as a social lubricant or to unwind and have fun with friends and family members.
- Here are some tips to support someone with substance use disorder and help them get sober from drugs and/or alcohol.
- Bringing your own non-alcoholic beverages ensures you always have a safe option.
- Then, you can begin to prepare the appropriate preventative steps.
- I’ve remained close to friends who drink, but it’s good to have friends who don’t drink, too.
Nonetheless, it’s possible for you to maintain your sobriety while continuing friendships with people who drink. Making new friends is the most difficult part for people who want to quit drinking and lead a sober social life. If you’re lucky, you’ll have other things in common with your old drinking buddies besides getting drunk. Even if your friends support your sobriety, things will be different because a major part of your social life is different.
Tips for Socializing Without Alcohol
- 💙 Turn inward to reflect on the good in your life now that you’re embracing sobriety with this guided meditation, True Reflections.
- Mark Willenbring, MD, former director, division of treatment and recoveryresearch, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
- For example, watching another person drink a beer could make you crave one.
- If you’re newly sober but have to be the best man at your brother’s wedding, you may want to ask your doctor about medication that can help you fight the urge to drink.
- Virgin mojitos are especially tasty and look like the real thing if you are trying to avoid prying questions about your beverage choice.
Maybe that’s why Erika has decided now is the best time to redecorate. When the news hits the press, we see all the cast reading the announcement and Garcelle says, “Oh, it’s from Dorit. Cravings can strike at any time, especially during the festive season. Understanding and managing these urges is crucial for maintaining sobriety. Here how to stay sober when everyone else is drinking are effective strategies to help you overcome sudden cravings.