I, too, can order off the Skinnylicious menu at The Cheesecake Factory and feel good about it at the time. 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). Politely decline invitations to activities you are not 100% confident you can handle sober. Tell them you’re being serious and need to stop if they want to be in your life. Let’s say the aforementioned heart-to-heart with your buddies didn’t go as planned.

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

Go for a classic “Dear Diary” approach or start a bullet journal to get yourself organized. Journaling prompts can help you get started if you’re stuck. There’s something super satisfying about seeing all those healthy lunches waiting for you in the fridge. Get started with a phone call home or join Ancestry.com to dig deeper. If you can’t, there are yummy non-alcoholic sparkling wines out there for you to try. Treat your dog (or your cat, gerbil, snake, etc.) to a spa day of their own.

• And stay in touch with your sponsor and call them if you’re feeling anxious or uncomfortable.
• Staying sober is part of the process of recovery from addiction.
• This can lead to friendships that are built on mutual interests, respect, and understanding rather than shared drinking experiences.

Identify Your Triggers

• Don’t let yourself be derailed by a friend who only knows half the story.
• Be wary of anything or anyone who causes negative thoughts, wears on your emotional state or triggers you.
• We promise there are better ways to fill your free time that don’t involve drinking, even if all of your pals were only in it for Dry January.
• Other definitions, however, focus on the process of recovery and coping habits that support health and wellness over the long term.

These professionals offer evidence-based personalized treatments tailored to individual needs and are equipped to provide the support needed during tough times. If you find it difficult to make new, sober friends, try joining a support group. Strictly speaking, sobriety is the state of being sober—not being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. However, the word is often used in different ways in different contexts. Many 12-step programs suggest that sobriety means total abstinence, which means never using the substance again. Other definitions, however, focus on the process of recovery and coping habits that support health and wellness over the long term.

• Others struggle to stay sober their entire lives, especially if they struggle with dependence or addiction.
• Look for mocktails, alcohol-free beers or wines, herbal teas, flavored sparkling water, or creative concoctions made with juices and sodas.
• Choose a friend you’d love to reconnect with or someone who made an impact in your life.
• Those are great, but self-care can be simple acts you do to create a sense of calm and control, and they don’t need to be expensive.

Develop Sober Friendships

You don’t have to work completely in the service of others – you can make a meaningful impact on the world. MHA Screening is an educational program intended to help inform people about options they have in getting help for mental health issues. It may suggest tools and resources that offer information, treatment services, self-help (or “DIY”) tools, and/or ways to connect with others. For any and all suggestions, comments, or questions, please contact Mental Health America. During the recovery stage, it’s not uncommon to feel temporarily worse.

• It’s no secret that many adults these days, in many settings, are inclined to drink too much.
• Surely non-alcoholic wine is the perfect alcohol alternative for wine-lovers who want a healthier glass.
• You may find that new friends are sober friends, and after recovering from a substance abuse disorder, people generally see life in a new, hopeful way.
• But choosing not to drink while you’re out socializing might make you feel uncomfortable, anxious, and even left out.

What Is Sobriety?

Ultimately, however, communicating directly and planning ahead will help avoid problems later. 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 being sober around drinkers a drink, let’s also remember to reach out to each other, especially those in recovery. “Drinking alcohol is hyper-normalized,” says Jennifer Fernández, a clinical psychologist who focuses on substance abuse treatment in San Francisco. In the early days, focusing on social activities that don’t center around alcohol is important.

Embrace the Joys of Sobriety

One thing to note is isolation is one of the enemies of sobriety. If you can find a friend to walk with, even better! Getting outside connects us to nature and can make us feel alive. Sometimes running into people you know can prompt you to think, “Just one drink won’t hurt.” Don’t get too comfortable.

How do I handle feeling left out when others are drinking?

Relapse rates for substance use addictions are around 40% to 60%. Setbacks don’t erase progress, though, and they don’t mean you’ve “failed” to stay sober. Remaining sober over time is about much more than willpower.