You’ll get to meet new people and be a part of something positive. When you begin to view your negative thoughts and feelings as problems to be solved rather than the embodiment of who you actually are, you liberate yourself. When I was finished, it was like someone had hit the refresh button on my brain. I could go back and re-read what I wrote and approach it from the perspective of https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/anger-and-alcoholism/ an outside observer. I over-identified with every negative feeling in my body.
How To Be Sober When Everyone Else You Know Drinks
It is not only the drinking that gets hidden; it is also the negative affects alcohol produces in their lives. Alcoholics develop what counselors call “an external locus of control.” Progressively, everything is someone else’s fault. If their job is going poorly it’s because their boss hates them. If their marriage suffers then their spouse is unreasonable. If they fail as parents they will see their children as ungrateful. The spiraling alcoholic will often say that they don’t even want to drink being sober around drinkers but that circumstances like their horrible job/spouse/kids “force” them to.
Surround Yourself With Supportive People
So make the most of the time you gain by doing something enjoyable or productive. Enter into the situation with a positive attitude, and make the best of your time, even if you’re the only one not drinking. You might actually find that being sober is more enjoyable than you predicted. To be better prepared, it’s important to develop some go-to responses ahead of time for how you’ll politely turn down a drink or handle questions about why you’re not drinking.
How often do you actually drink alcohol? Do you need to drink when going out with friends, to dinner, etc?
Before attending a social event, remember why you chose not to drink alcohol. Establish clear intentions and goals for the gathering, such as connecting with others, having meaningful conversations, or simply enjoying the company. Setting goals can help you get the most out of the gathering and navigate tricky situations. Have an exit strategy if needed, such as checking the nearest bus stop, pre-booking transport, or calling upon a sober friend. “If you feel triggered by others drinking alcohol, do what you need to do to take care of yourself,” says Pomeranz. Mentioning that you’re “sober curious” is a great way to start a conversation without getting too personal.
But for many people, lingering feelings of anxiety, depression, and general malaise can last weeks, months, or even longer. Alcohol robs you of the ability to feel naturally motivated and inspired. what is alcoholism Those feelings don’t come back immediately when you quit. So it’s not that sobriety is inherently boring; it’s that your serotonin and dopamine levels are now very low. For starters, you are likely to be one of the only people at the party who will wake up without even a hint of a hangover tomorrow morning.
- It can be as simple as saying “I don’t drink” or politely declining their offer.
- I promise it will do wonders for your mental health, which, in turn, will help you feel motivated to do more things.
- They might have fun exploring new places and trying new things with you.
- If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol abuse, help is available.
- A mistake some people make when using this approach is they act overly-firm, or over-assertive, which may be seen as rude or confrontational.
- The festive season can be particularly challenging, and you may be feeling the urge to drink in order to appear sociable and not be the ‘odd one out’.
