My biggest fears in life include being in large groups of strange people, standing at parties by myself, and really just people in general. Drunk me didn’t have to worry if I was alone at a party because drunk me didn’t abide such things. Drunk me didn’t worry if she belonged, or said the right thing, or had to have small talk because drunk me just handled that.

If you’re attending an event where alcohol is present, call ahead to ensure the venue has alcohol-free options. Lastly, whether enrolled in a formal treatment program or you’re still contemplating sobriety, you may benefit from mutual support groups as a part of your lifelong recovery process. Support groups can include 12-step meetings like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or non-12-step being sober around drinkers groups like SMART Recovery, which has a more secular approach. Or it could be that you’ve developed a physical health problem that you know is probably due to drinking and you want to make positive changes before things get worse. If you’re not experiencing negative health effects right now, it might be a good idea to learn about what could happen if you do keep drinking.

Make new friends

From hiking and biking to painting classes or book clubs, there’s a world of opportunities waiting for you. People suffering from Alcohol Use Disorder do not change their behavior even if they’re fired, wind up in the hospital, or suddenly become a parent. They do not see a problem with their drinking, so they continue to pursue it. Non-alcoholic beer is one of my go-to favorites in this regard as well. One of my new favorite non-alcoholic beers is produced by a company named Gruvi. They reached out to me a few weeks ago to offer me some of their products to try.

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Struggling With Porn Addiction?

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. Only a doctor can decide if it’s appropriate and tell you about the risks and benefits. Staying focused on the reasons why you’ve decided not to drink can get you through difficult moments. “Really think about your payoffs for not drinking,” Cornett says. “You won’t have the hangover in the morning. Maybe when you drink too much you behave like a fool, so your reputation and self-esteem will be intact the next morning.” This tactic won’t work for everyone, and its success depends on your comfort level around people who are drinking.

• Maybe you have a glass of wine with dinner every night.
• Exercise can relieve stress and anxiety, improve mood and release feel-good neurotransmitters.
• I’ll keep monitoring the Members Feed throughout the days and updating/interacting with people here, so I’ll feel very connected to the online recovery community which will be AWESOME.
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• For my 5pm drinks ice cubes are a must, as is sliced lemon.

A key factor in identifying the difference between casual drinkers (social drinkers and even problems drinkers) and alcoholics is the recognition of negative consequences. If someone with risky drinking behavior is able to understand and change their drinking due to a negative consequence, then they are likely not an alcoholic. How to stay sober in social situations where other people are drinking. Joining a gym, taking fitness classes, or going to a yoga studio is another fantastic way to make friends. The connections you make from these activities will likely be with people passionate about living a healthy lifestyle.

Addiction is a disease, we have addiction medicine that saves lives.

Total abstinence may be the goal, but the reality is that setbacks are common. Maintaining sobriety around drinkers can be challenging. One strategy that can help is carrying reminders of why you chose to abstain from alcohol. These could be notes on your phone, a piece of jewelry with special significance, or even a specific image set as your phone’s wallpaper. When temptation arises, these reminders serve as powerful motivators.

All this said, a high-functioning alcoholic is typically a period of time. For most people suffering AUD, it’s only a matter of time before they’re unable to hold a job and lose relationships due to their drinking behavior. One way to make sober friends is through social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. You might search for groups based on sobriety, interests, or location on Facebook and engage with their discussion posts and events. A quick search for hashtags that mention sobriety can help you get started on Instagram.

Taking charge of my health helped me overcome my fear of cancer coming back

Get enough rest, eat nourishing food, and engage in activities that promote relaxation and well-being. Caring for yourself will help you feel more present and connected in social settings. Some people may have had legal troubles or gotten a DUI.

Others in recovery, have more time or experience in dealing comfortably with such events, and may feel confident in their recovery while being around others who drink. Staying sober will take great resilience on the part of people recovering from alcoholism because they will get invited to parties and see old drinking buddies. It’s okay to decline invitations from people to events that are likely to offer alcohol. Contact Pathway Healthcare today for professional help and more sobriety tips. The arrival of summer brings warmer temperatures, which makes it perfect for outdoor events, such as weddings, backyard barbeques, and staff retreats. It’s a time when people will serve beer, wine and liquor and other beverages to celebrate with their loved ones.