Depending on the severity of the addiction or substance being used, a medically supervised detox may be necessary to safely help you. Our free, confidential telephone consultation will help you find the best treatment program for you. We can also guide being sober around drinkers you in approaching a loved one who needs treatment. I imagine a man drowning in the ocean, who just before going under for the last time sees a ship sailing towards him. There is nothing like the return of hope to a person who had lost theirs.
- If someone asks why you’re not drinking, have a few responses ready.
- Put together a playlist, turn on a disco light, and grab your dancing shoes.
- You may again seek out the people and situations that support your alcohol use.
- In the early days of learning to live your life sober, you might decide that it’s easier for you to avoid situations where you’re surrounded by people drinking.
Gaining Supportive Allies through Transparency
If you’re struggling to stay sober, reaching out for help is always better than sacrificing your hard-earned sobriety. For additional resources and support, contact a treatment provider today to learn about your options. However, avoiding these places doesn’t mean that you have to have a “boring” college experience. For every bar or nightclub there’s an equal amount of spaces where social gatherings happen free of drugs and alcohol. Libraries, activity centers, sports facilities, and other places on campus are all great for avoiding triggers while also being a part of campus life. True friends are a solid support system who help us get through any situation, bad or worse.
Avoid Old Habits and Toxic Relationships
There is no law that says your social life is only valid if it’s happening at night. You may again seek out the people and situations that support your alcohol use. Some people who move from a controlled and protective setting find themselves awash in the environmental cues that lead to their drinking. Triggers for using drugs and alcohol typically are people, places, and things that remind you of your addictive behavior or encourage the use of substances you’re avoiding. This article will describe sobriety in more detail, the challenges a person faces while working to stay sober, the options for treatment, and tips for building a sober lifestyle.
Maintaining social relationships while sober
By taking proactive steps to avoid substance use temptations, you can still enjoy your college experience. Even if you remain friends with those who drink, it can help to have sober friends as a separate support system. You can join AA or other peer support programs, get a sponsor, or attend treatment alumni functions to establish a sober support system. Also, you can plan some sober activities to your drinking friends so your encounters don’t always involve alcohol.
- Sobriety is a general term for staying away from mood- and mind-altering substances, though there is no commonly agreed-upon medical definition in terms of what sobriety means.
- There will come a time when it will be perfectly normal to go out and enjoy yourself without giving alcohol a second thought.
- You concentrate on your breath and just notice when thoughts come into your mind which they do quite naturally.
- If you were active in your addiction for a period of time, you may have developed financial problems.
You may want to start an exercise routine — exercise releases brain chemicals called endorphins, which can make you feel good. Or you might rather spend time volunteering for a good cause, like an animal shelter or children’s hospital. Whatever it is, new activities can lead to new friends with interests like yours. Having a drink in your hand can make social interactions easier.
If you find it difficult to make new, sober friends, try joining a support group. You don’t have to give up your old friends just because you’ve stopped drinking. However, if the common bond with these friends was alcohol, you may want to take a closer look at the benefits of maintaining those relationships. If drinking was the only reason to hang out, then you might be better off deciding to make sober friends. If you don’t already, you could start going to self-help support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) to find a different crowd of people.
The recovering person has a responsibility to take care of themselves, but family and friends can definitely help. So with the three-fold trilogy of the holiday season upon us, as many reach for a drink, let’s also remember to reach out to each other, especially those https://ecosoberhouse.com/ in recovery. The best way forward for your recovery from alcohol or substance use is to incorporate a wide variety of strategies that will help foster success. Remember to care for yourself, seek supportive relationships, and consider seeking help from a therapist.