When you first begin recovery, it might feel like enjoying a party sober is impossible. However, as you become more comfortable with your sobriety, you’ll hopefully be able to enjoy social events where there is alcohol around. However, it’s important to wait until you are ready before going to a party where you know others will be drinking. Additionally, make sure that you are with people that you feel comfortable and safe with. Holding a non-alcoholic drink in your hand can help you feel more at ease. And finally, make sure that you have an escape route planned just in case you get overwhelmed. Don’t try to rush things if you are new to recovery. However, hopefully, someday you’ll be able to get just as much enjoyment out of parties while still staying sober.
Enjoying a Party Sober: How to Still Have Fun in Recovery
Wait Until You’re Ready
It’s important to wait until you are ready before trying to go to a party sober. If you are new to recovery, it might be helpful to avoid any social situations that involve alcohol. You don’t want to be tempted. However, you’ll likely reach a point in your recovery journey where you feel comfortable being around others who are drinking. Don’t try to rush the process. And you might always want to make sure that parties are still relatively tame before attending.
Enjoy Being Around Safe Friends
It’s also important to make sure that you are surrounded by people you trust if you are trying to enjoy a party sober. Being around people that make you anxious might put you more at risk of breaking your sobriety. Instead, make sure that you are with friends that support your goals and with whom you feel safe.
Hold a Drink
It’s helpful for many people who are trying to enjoy a party sober to still hold a beverage in their hands. It can just give you something to do with your hands and make you feel more comfortable when others are also holding drinks. Additionally, it can deter people from offering to bring you a beer or other alcoholic beverage if they don’t know you’re in recovery.
Have an Escape Route
Finally, when trying to enjoy a party sober, it’s important to keep in mind that you can leave at any time if you begin to feel uncomfortable. If things are getting out of hand, for example. Or if intrusive thoughts are coming in. Have an excuse ready to use at any point, or plan to simply head out without saying much. You might try something like “I feel a headache coming on and want to get home. If you feel comfortable sharing the truth, feel free, but you don’t owe anybody an explanation if you need to leave.
Enjoying a party sober is possible when you’re in recovery, it might just take a little while before you feel comfortable. Give yourself plenty of time to work the program and become more at ease with sobriety before venturing into any social events that involve alcohol. When you do feel comfortable attending a party, make sure that you are with friends that you trust. Consider bringing along a mocktail or beverage to hold while you are talking. That way you have something to hold in your hands that isn’t alcoholic. And finally, have an exit plan just in case you need to leave quickly. It’s okay if you get overwhelmed at first. Recovery is a journey and not a straight line. Just remember that your health is much more important than any social event.
