02 Aug Six top tips for socialising without alcohol

In reality, a lot of people don’t drink at all, or only in moderation. They just don’t make as much noise about it, and aren’t as represented in the media. A few friends staying in and watching TV while having a glass of wine each wouldn’t make for a very exciting scene in a raunchy college comedy. At Burning Tree, you will find knowledgeable and compassionate professionals that structure treatment to fit individual needs, including the identification of co-occurring disorders. Through accountability and commitment to the 12 steps, each client will develop the tools to create a sober lifestyle and find lasting recovery.

Six top tips for socialising without alcohol

If you don’t want to drink, you’ve got to be really good-humored about having your mentally-regressed, careless, giggly friends around. They’re just being drunk, not purposely trying to get under your skin, although it can sure feel that way. Do what you can to avoid drinking, but for the most part be low key about it. Like I mentioned at the start of the article, if some people find out you don’t drink, they can get surprisingly defensive and challenging about it. They may feel you have something against how they live their lives, or that you how to not drink alcohol when everyone else is think you’re better than them.

How to socialize without alcohol: 12 tips for a sober social life

If you’re not going to drink, still do your best to be in the mix. Or if you find you have no interest in being “fun” in the way drinkers usually define the word, then that’s a sign you may be better off avoiding that crowd altogether. Being direct takes on a whole different flavor if you actually are trying to cut down your problematic alcohol use, or maintain your sobriety after quitting. If you try to politely and vaguely tell someone you don’t want a drink, and they continue to push the point, you can matter-of-factly tell them what your situation is. Only the biggest jerk would still continue to bug you after that. If you’re the designated driver, or you truly have to get up early the next day, or you’re seriously training for a sport, no one can really argue with you that much if you don’t drink.

How to navigate social pressure and stay sober when you’re not drinking

• This article is intended for those looking to change their relationship with alcohol socially.
• That way, you can suggest fun activities that don’t involve alcohol or ensure that where you’re going has an alcohol-free drink selection.
• If you have decided to cut back on alcohol for your health, or you’re more established in your sobriety, social environments that involve drinking may be easier to navigate.
• At least with adults, you’d think they would be a little more mature and understanding of people’s different life choices and personalities.
• Bringing a reusable mug for your non-alcoholic beverage is certainly eco-friendly, but some people recommend pouring your drink into the cups provided at the party.
• You’ll help out your friends by relieving them of planning duties, and you can ensure the destination is somewhere you feel comfortable.

Having a drink in your hand can make social interactions easier. Water is a good option, but you can also try non-alcoholic beverages, like mocktails, which are widely available and often just as interesting and fun as alcoholic options. A common excuse people give for not drinking when they don’t want to share the details of their sobriety is that they’re taking medications that can’t be mixed with alcohol. It’s alcoholism symptoms common knowledge that antibiotics, cold and flu meds, and prescription pain medications shouldn’t be mixed with alcohol, so this excuse is unlikely to be questioned. Joining a gym, taking fitness classes, or going to a yoga studio is another fantastic way to make friends.

Supporting Loved Ones with Substance Use or Mental Health Disorders During the Holidays

Crystal Raypole has previously worked as a writer and editor for GoodTherapy. Her fields of interest include Asian languages and literature, Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and https://ecosoberhouse.com/ mental health. In particular, she’s committed to helping decrease stigma around mental health issues.

Know When to Leave

Try coffee shops, parks, and restaurants with great food for a relaxed atmosphere without the pressure to drink. Learn about the negative consequences of alcohol consumption to strengthen your resolve. Understanding the potential health risks and long-term effects can reinforce your decision to not drink.

Comparing the emotions that come up when you have a drink with the feelings you experience when abstaining also helps you recognize when drinking doesn’t fix the problems you’re trying to manage. Talk with a healthcare professional if you’re concerned you may experience detox symptoms when quitting drinking or cutting back. Don’t fall back on it, because that will make it even harder to maintain the next time. Your mental health and comfort come first, not the comfort of someone offering you a drink.

• Asking questions is a simple way to break the ice if you don’t know many of the other guests at the event.
• Some people don’t want to be dishonest, and think they shouldn’t have to resort to hiding their non-drinking.
• You can change the subject by saying you need to use the restroom, make a call, or have spotted a friend with whom you need to check in.
• If you feel comfortable doing so, explain to your drinking buddies why you’ve decided to give up alcohol.
• While everyone drinks, take comfort in the fact that you will have a productive morning because you chose sobriety.

But I also know that at some point, I’m probably going to cave and get the nachos, for which I will hate myself immediately (once I’ve recovered from my food coma). Tell them you’re being serious and need to stop if they want to be in your life. I would NOT recommend doing it in the middle of dinner or your bestie’s housewarming party but find a time when everyone is coherent and calm. Maybe it IS because they are unsupportive assholes, but it can also be because humans are innately tribal beings. Remember, you don’t owe anyone a drink, and it’s OK to turn down that invite and make time for yourself, Mann wrote. You don’t have to go to that party, said David Dorschu, then-CEO of Recovery Centers of America at Raritan Bay in South Amboy, N.J., said in a 2021 interview with NPR’s Brian Mann.