Getting sober is never easy. Once you complete an addiction treatment program, you might believe that your struggles are over. Unfortunately, independent life as a sober individual will bring more hurdles to overcome.
One of the hardest parts of being sober is figuring out how to have fun. You have to balance staying true to your sobriety with social events, which might include alcohol sometimes.
For example, you might be excited to hang out with some of your friends who are not in the recovery community. If you’re invited out to dinner or a birthday party, you might have to be around people who are drinking alcohol. This might cause you to ask yourself, “How is it possible to navigate social settings without using drugs or alcohol?”
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to engage in social events without drinking or using drugs. First, you should be honest with your friends and prepare yourself for a variety of reactions to your newfound sobriety. In addition, you should develop some responses to use, create exit excuses in case things become too stressful, and consider trying out substance-free activities with sober friends.
In this article, you will learn:
- How to navigate social situations as a drug and alcohol-free person
- How to overcome a variety of reactions to your sobriety and avoid peer pressure
- The importance of having sober friends and a support group to rely on
How to Socialize Without Drugs and Alcohol
When you are going out with friends for the first time after quitting drinking, you might be worried about a host of scenarios. You might wonder about your friend’s reactions, whether you will be anxious without liquid courage, and if you can even have fun without substances involved. Thankfully, there are tons of ways to have fun with your friends and family members without drinking or using drugs.
If you are worried about socializing without drugs or alcohol, you should:
Be Honest With Your Friends
Staying sober can be difficult, especially if your friends aren’t aware of your situation. Many people keep their drug addiction or alcoholism secret from their friends. If you never told your friends about your struggles and are worried about going out with them, it might be time to come clean.
Letting your friends know that you stopped drinking or using drugs will give them a chance to think about how they should behave. They might even suggest engaging in drug and alcohol-free activities to make things easier on you.
Prepare for Reactions
Most of the time, people will be fully supportive of your sobriety. However, there are some instances where they might not react in the best way. It is important to be prepared for all of the possible reactions your friends could have.
Some reactions you might experience include:
- Full support and understanding
- Nagging you to drink a little bit with them to “have more fun”
- Teasing you for not engaging in alcohol or drug use
- Peer pressuring you to engage in substance use
- Asking you to be their designated driver while they drink
If your friends do not have a positive reaction to your sobriety, you should remember what is most important. Never allow other people to influence whether you stay sober or not. If your friends are not supportive, they might not be the right people to have in your life anymore.
Develop Some Easy Responses
While it is best to try and attend events without drinking involved, this isn’t always possible. You might be invited to birthday parties, work events, or even weddings that involve alcohol. In these situations, it is best to have responses ready in case someone asks you why you aren’t drinking.
Examples of good responses include:
- I decided to take a break from drinking for a while
- I do not feel like drinking tonight
- I gave up alcohol for my health
- I have to drive tonight
- I have to be up early in the morning for “x” reason
- I don’t really like how alcohol makes me feel anymore
Of course, you can always be straightforward and tell them you are sober. You also do not have to have an excuse, you could simply avoid personal questions and state that you do not want to drink.
Engage in Substance-Free Activities
If you are sober from drugs and alcohol, you should be engaging in substance-free activities. There are plenty of ways to have a fun social life without drinking or using drugs.
For example, you could suggest a group hike or another outdoor activity. If you are not into hiking, you could ask your friends to join you at an art museum or another type of creative event. The point is that there are plenty of things to do that do not revolve around consuming drugs and alcohol.
Create Exit Excuses
If you are going to an event that will involve alcohol or drug use, it is important to have an exit excuse ready. If things become too much for you to handle or you begin experiencing cravings, the best thing to do is leave. While you are allowed to leave without having an excuse, sometimes it is easier and less anxiety-inducing to have one.
Examples of exit excuses include:
- I need to get home to take care of my dog
- I have to get up early for an event in the morning
- I have plans to meet up with another friend
Find Sober Friends
If you are having trouble maintaining a social life because all of your previous friends consume drugs or alcohol, it’s time to look for new ones. Attending substance abuse support groups like 12-step meetings can help you connect with others who are sober. Once you meet a group of people you are fond of, you can plan sober-friendly activities to engage in.
Continue Therapy
Whether you struggle with mental health issues like social anxiety disorder or are simply having a hard time learning to be social without substances, therapy can be incredibly helpful. Your therapist can help you navigate triggers you might experience and offer you coping mechanisms to use when you come across substances in a social setting.
Get Connected to a Top-Rated Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center
If you are struggling with substance abuse, it’s time to seek help. Addiction treatment programs will offer the tools and support you need to overcome drug or alcohol addiction.
At the Mandala Healing Center, we can help you achieve long-term sobriety from drugs and alcohol. Contact us today for more information on how to get started.