Once you have gone through treatment for addiction and are now navigating recovery on your own in day-to-day life, the goal has now shifted to maintaining your sobriety and preventing relapse. While this can seem easy within your own bubble at your house and while alone, it can be more difficult if you still have friends that drink. Having friends that still drink can serve as a temptation in its own right, and there are different ways to navigate the situation. You can do different things depending on your own needs, where you are in your recovery, and what friends you are discussing. Here is how to stay sober when your friends still drink.
First and foremost, it is essential to think about which friends are conducive to your new sober lifestyle. While some may not be drinking too much or doing so to trigger you purposely, it can still be overwhelming to be around individuals that drink while you are in recovery. While you shouldn’t kick out someone immediately for having one sip of a drink in front of you, it is crucial to identify if you are still hanging around bad influences that do not support your sobriety. If you cannot talk to an individual to ask if they can stop drinking or if they continuously bring alcohol around you despite you being in recovery, that is grounds to eliminate that friendship. Your sobriety should be priority number one, and individuals that do not support that do not deserve a place in your life. Of course, there are other ways to handle the situation if someone isn’t drinking too much and may not realize its effect on you. Consider talking to them first before making any rash decisions.
While you may be kicking some individuals out of your life for being unsupportive of your sobriety and always drinking around you, there are others that you are closer with that may be open to talking. If this is the case, consider communicating your needs. Tell close friends that you are in recovery and trying to stay sober, and you would appreciate it if they didn’t drink around you. If they continue to drink, you can decide to tell them you are leaving to remove yourself from the temptation. If they take it personally and lash out, it could be time to look for new friends that are more supportive of your recovery. A true friend will hear you out and meet your needs if they are truly supportive and care about you.
If you know that you will be around people drinking, consider asking someone to be your sober buddy. Having someone with you who is not drinking will help you feel supported in your decision not to drink and won’t leave you feeling left out. If you are struggling with the temptation to drink, turn to this person for support and advice. If things get overwhelming, ask if the two of you can leave and go to a more sober-supportive environment. This way, you can feel less alone in the situation and have someone reminding you to stay sober throughout the night.
If you are at an event where alcohol is being served, hold a non-alcoholic drink in your hand at all times. Doing this will help keep your senses occupied and help you avoid someone bringing you an alcoholic beverage. Holding a drink will also help you avoid questions and awkward looks if you are still getting used to not drinking in social situations. If someone does ask you or offers to bring you another drink, remember that it is okay to tell them no and say that you aren’t drinking. If you don’t want to be upfront about your sobriety, simply tell them, “No, thank you.”
It is important to remember that you are not alone struggling to stay sober while those around you drink. To help with this, lean on your sober network for support. These people can help remind you why you got sober in the first place and give you practical advice for staying sober in tempting situations. You are not the only person to struggle with friends that still drink, so these individuals can genuinely empathize with you and give you sound advice. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help; that’s what they’re there for.
Being newly sober and fresh out of treatment can be difficult if your friends are still drinking around you. Being surrounded by others who drink can be a tricky situation to navigate, but there are different options to help with the situation, depending on the circumstances. It is important to remember that those that do not support your sobriety do not deserve a place in your life. However, it is worth talking to people and communicating your needs before cutting them off completely. Keep a good head on your shoulders, and remember that you are not alone in your struggles. Lean on your sober buddies for support and remind yourself why you got sober in the first place. If you are having trouble navigating sobriety outside of treatment, call NorthStar Transitions. We know that recovery doesn’t end when you leave rehab, and our extensive alumni network can help you stay sober out on your own. Call us today to learn more at (303) 558-6400.
