Instead, look for opportunities where that temptation is lower. You might not go to the bar, but seeing your friends for game night is still an option. Coulter agrees that preparation is key when it comes to dealing with alcohol. “In the long run, it’s better to plan ahead rather than react to the circumstances,” he says, as dealing with pressures or triggers in the moment can sometimes lead to poor or rash decision-making.

  • Setting goals can help you get the most out of the gathering and navigate tricky situations.
  • If they don’t understand, it might be time to make sober friends.
  • For a long time, the only option offered to those addicted to alcohol was to quit completely.
  • Reflect on the positive changes it has brought to your life and the personal growth you have experienced.
  • I knew I’d spent the night downing shots and requesting Sophie Ellis-Bextor in a south London gay bar with my friends…
  • Addiction devours your time which is a factor in many people’s relapse.

Studies have shown that gratitude can improve your mental wellbeing and actually help you make better decisions. Have an open mind, but for a few of us in recovery, this does work. When you catch yourself thinking of drinking, of wanting nothing more than to have one glass of whiskey, then stop and close your eyes.

CHANGE HOW YOU DRINK

Maybe your work life has suffered, and your boss is tired of you calling in sick or coming in late. Perhaps your school performance has declined and you’re in danger of failing or you’ve been missing so many classes because you’ve been hungover that you can’t catch up. Maybe you’ve tried to quit before, or maybe this is the first time that you feel like enough is enough—either way, you want to give sobriety your best shot. Developing strategies to handle friendships with those who drink can improve the odds of continuing to live successfully with your sobriety. BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor. Additionally, you’ll need to find ways to manage physical pain if you know it’s a trigger for drinking or drugs.

  • They get bored and wander back to what they «think» they’d rather be doing.
  • One of my favourite alcohol-free brands is Three Spirit, who create adult-feeling drinks that actually make an impact on your mind and body.
  • But why not think of the gloriously happy mood you’ll be in the next day if you forgo the booze and head home instead?
  • In addition, staying sober can save you money which would otherwise be spent on buying drinks at bars or restaurants – another reason worth celebrating.
  • A great way to get started is to ask yourself, “how will this impact my sobriety?

Others struggle to stay sober their entire lives, especially if they struggle with dependence or addiction. If you or a loved one struggles to stay sober, remember that addiction is a physical and psychological issue. Communicate your concerns respectfully, and seek professional help from healthcare providers specializing in addiction recovery if needed. Despite the difficulty of remaining sober in social gatherings where alcohol is served, it is possible to approach such situations with confidence through proper preparation and a positive attitude. However, with the right preparation and mindset, it’s entirely possible to navigate these scenarios confidently.

Mental Health

I can smell alcohol, serve alcohol, cook with alcohol, be around people drinking alcohol and it’s a non-event for me. Alcohol has become peripheral – it has faded into my background. If you don’t already have any of these types of people in your life when you stop drinking, you can take steps to find them and cultivate more of these relationships. What naturally happens is that you start wanting to spend more time with the second group of people because they’re healthy for you. You can socialise and communicate with those people in ways that don’t involve alcohol. This January, I invite you to join me in treating it as an enlightening experiment.

how to stay sober around drinkers

Having a chaotic or disorganized lifestyle can also hinder your recovery. It’s important to develop a structured daily and weekly schedule and stick to it. For example, you may have developed a co-dependent relationship, or a family member, friend, or employer may have been enabling you without even knowing it. 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. The symptoms involved in PAWS can be a barrier to recovery if you’re not careful.

Identifying Triggers and Avoiding Temptation

Take on a diet that’s sustainable (not just a fad) and stick to it to help establish a new routine. It’s definitely an extra layer of ‘hard’ for us sober people if we have to spend a lot of time around people who are boozing. I don’t most of the time, but every Easter we go away to spend 4-5 days with extended family in a remote location. It’s a holiday weekend that presents a unique set of challenges for me. Christmas really only covers 2ish days and time spent around drinkers is broken up. Although many people can stay sober without professional help, others find this professional level of support necessary in their recovery.

how to stay sober around drinkers

Don’t try to fight it or curse yourself for «letting» it happen, see if you can interpret how it feels; the quality of the urge. Think of how the feeling is affecting you and try to ride it out. I’m trying to take care of myself, and you want me to take care of an animal? Time that may otherwise be spent heading out and buying alcohol has to be spent taking your dog for a walk — they need to go out. It gives you responsibiliy and let’s face it, if the golden rule was «treat thy neighbor as thy pet» we’d have a lot more harmony in this world. Two hugely negative emotions that undoubtedly contribute to relapse is «shame» and «guilt».

You don’t owe anyone your reasoning behind why you’re refraining. Parties can often be more stressful than fun if you’re in recovery from alcohol abuse, as maintaining sobriety can be a being sober around drinkers lifelong commitment that unfortunately doesn’t get a summer vacation. To stay strong when around alcohol, keep friends and family that have your best interests at heart by your side.

  • By aiming only to stay dry, we’re merely pulling weeds without addressing the root causes.
  • No matter how insignificant it may appear, every small step forward is still progress.
  • The good news is, it’s easier than ever to access support for alcohol addiction.
  • So, if you’re not up for those conversations, it’s totally fine to not mention you’re alcohol-free.