I was embarrassed about how many times I was going to the liquor store and how many empty bottles were in my recycling. Not having a drink at a party can sometimes be very difficult if your friends or others attending the party goad you and keep insisting you have a drink. It can be difficult for those drinking to understand why someone else doesn’t want to join in with their drinking. Yet, there is never a good reason for any person to force another person to have a drink they don’t want.
Drinking normally
Maybe it IS because they are unsupportive assholes, but it can also be because humans are innately tribal beings. Meet AubreyAubrey struggled with addiction for more than 10 years and has a range of experiences as a loved one to call upon. She has always wanted to help others impacted by addiction and let them know they’re not alone. If someone makes a request that doesn’t align with your priorities, it’s okay to point them toward someone who might be a better fit. This one is meant to remind us that we don’t have to be everyone’s solution.
- Helping other guests get home safely lets you protect your recovery while doing a good deed in the process.
- A simple pivot like, « I’m feeling great, thanks for asking! So, what have you been up to lately? » can work wonders.
- When combined with exercise, sleep, and a healthier diet, you will find that quitting alcohol is much more manageable than if you were to ignore these things.
Quitting was easy but thinking about it was not
It goes without saying that if you used to be — or currently are — being sober around drinkers a big drinker, then your friends likely are too. Some drinking idioms only relate to alcohol, and in this case a stiff drink means a strong alcoholic drink. Lots of alcohol, less mixer (like orange juice), or perhaps just neat (undiluted) spirits.
Lean on Your Support System
Engaging in self-care and finding alternative activities can further enhance the experience of socializing without the need for substances. With the right strategies and drug addiction support, you can enjoy social gatherings while maintaining your commitment to sobriety. With each outing, you’ll figure out what works best for you and what makes you happy. Maybe you’ll discover that you love being the designated driver, or that you’re most comfortable when you have a non-alcoholic drink in hand. Perhaps you’ll learn that you prefer smaller gatherings over loud parties. See each experience as collecting data for your personal sober-socializing playbook.
- One of the best parts of changing your drinking habits is discovering new ways to connect with others.
- Friends who once enjoyed shared drinks now seemed to take personal offense to their new lifestyle.
- The pressure to « just have one » is real, and the fear of not fitting in can be overwhelming.
- Quitting alcohol without addressing these issues can increase the risk of relapse or worsen psychological distress.