This could be as simple as substituting a happy hour hang-out for a casual coffee date during the day. Movie theaters, museums, farmer’s markets, parks, the beach — your community likely has plenty of options where booze never makes an appearance. “And it really breaks my heart when I think of it. I would rush through a bedtime story because there was a glass of wine waiting.” “My generation is the biggest drinking generation of women. But they’re mostly drinking at home, anyway.” But the crisis of confidence I felt at the prospect of going to my friend’s party without a drink isn’t unique to me.
FUN SOBER ACTIVITIES AT GRATITUDE LODGE IN LONG BEACH
Or, an innocuous “let’s grab a drink” text with a friend I haven’t seen in years. And of course, there’s the third space that has become so beautiful and rare in this pandemic period. (My own third space has been the open-air brewery four blocks from my home.) Many of our third spaces do include drinking, and that’s difficult—physically, mentally, financially.
- If you’re a smoker, regular exercise also helps reduce nicotine cravings, so you can’t lose here (even if you feel like you’re coughing up a lung in the effort – you’ll adjust!).
- Reputable, research-based treatment programs select therapies and interventions to match your personal needs.
- If you’ve been looking for alcohol-free ways to spend your spare time, there are tons of things you can do.
- However, you can mitigate these effects by recognizing your triggers and setting healthy boundaries about what you can control.
You can have fun and stay sober.
However, relationships within the family may have been impacted by substance misuse and therefore, require mending. Support isn’t just needed to get a person started on the path to recovery from addiction. As stated above, support can help the individual stick to treatment through the duration of the program. In addition, having a support network once treatment is over can ease the transition from rehab back to daily living. This support fosters the motivation and self-confidence needed for sustained sobriety. If people press that response, I’ll either stare at them and hold an uncomfortable silence (this is enjoyable at some point), or just change the subject.
What resources are available for those looking to explore sober socializing?
By using these strategies and facing your fears, you’ll soon find that you can overcome social anxiety without the need for liquid courage. Sober bars and pop-up events are becoming increasingly popular in cities across the world. Enjoy finely-crafted non-alcoholic drinks in the company of other sober people with all the atmosphere of a bar or nightclub. Take a look for sober bars or events in your area and enjoy some much-needed relaxation. When you get together with such people, you’ll likely find that they do plenty of activities that don’t involve alcohol—like hiking, skiing, playing games, or fishing.
- Get active by spending some time outdoors.
- Both lookup tools are easy to use and search for different pieces of information in the stash.
- Choose to attend a networking event at a hip, new restaurant.
- It also helps if you make friends with someone who also has—or is currently in the process of—overcoming substance abuse.
The music was outstanding and we weren’t getting pushed about in a crowd of drunk people. No drinks were spilled down my back, and I had more space to myself. sober network I’ve been to nightclubs, festivals and gigs in the past few months, finding new ways to enjoy them all. Initially, I was disappointed in myself for not going.
- You don’t need sober friends or even sober curious friends to have fun without drinking.
- It’s a long journey and not something I can summarize in this article, so make sure you check out my blog post on fixing your life if you want to get serious about it.
- With shared experiences, you can build long-lasting, meaningful, supportive relationships.
- These activities naturally promote sobriety and allow you to enjoy quality time with friends and family without the pressure to drink.
- If you enjoy cooking, you can try starting a little herb garden.
It is generally the first step in a more comprehensive treatment plan. You can learn more about treatment through some of our sobriety stories. Hear from real people who have struggled with substance misuse. As described by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there is not a one-size-fits-all treatment program for addiction.
Identify Your Personal Triggers
Want to find a local paddleboarding group? If there’s one happening, Meetup will probably have it. That can be a lonely experience during one of the most challenging and vulnerable periods of a person’s life. Begin by practicing deep breathing exercises to help calm your nerves and stay grounded in the present moment. Positive affirmations can also be a powerful tool to boost your confidence and shift your focus away from anxiety. There is no better tonic for the soul than pouring your creativity into a project.
strategies for people who’ve decided to stop drinking
- This can be a great way to meet new people and give back to your community.
- No drinks were spilled down my back, and I had more space to myself.
- “We do a whole spectrum of events, but hopefully each one people can take away something different,” she said.
- If PAWS is severe or if you’re experiencing prolonged symptoms, a medical professional can help you work through them and remain in recovery without relapse.
Your environment is full of people who don’t support each other’s decisions to drink. As is the case with all things, you can’t defeat it until you understand it, and this is the first step in doing it. The next is to change your lifestyle and environment. But they don’t show you the hangovers, vomit, financial ruin, regrets, and fights. And although you know these things happen when you drink, you still believe that alcohol will somehow cure boredom and make you have more fun than if you were sober. Soon, drinking became the only way I knew how to connect with people.
The Sober Diaries: Socialising without alcohol
You can make simple syrups (here are seven unique ones), use your SodaStream, and add beautiful garnishes for the full treatment. Skills and mindset content to help you realize your potential, let go of resentment, and live life with purpose. If you want to enjoy the taste of a cool lager, stout, or an IPA, but you’re no longer a drinker, I highly recommend trying their lineup. Use discount code Ed10 for a 10% discount. Me enjoying a nice cool non-alcoholic beer by Gruvi.
Check out Sober Outside or Bigger Life Adventures for different sober vacation options. It’s a great opportunity to see new places without the pressure to drink. If you’re unfamiliar with Meetup, it’s an online platform that facilitates “meetups” for people across an infinite range of interests. Look for ways to connect with people with healthy, shared interests. We know that picking up the phone can be scary. Reaching out for help takes courage – you can do it.