What Its Like Being a Sober Person in a Drinking World by Jen Shin

I’ve gone from being one of the drunkest people at the party to being the only sober person. The social drinkers, problem drinkers, high-functioning alcoholics, dry drunks, and sober alcoholics. For a close look, you can use these terms to identify a tiered system of drinking patterns and behaviors.

In treatment settings, we attempt to teach our patients who suffer from an alcohol use disorder to cope with the realities of an alcohol-infused world. Just like any other illness from which people can suffer, it is ultimately the responsibility of the individual themselves to learn about how to manage the illness and keep https://ecosoberhouse.com/ it in remission. Having said that, we also know clearly that certain environments, occasions, and people, can help or hinder recovery. Family and friends, often having suffered greatly too from their loved one’s drinking, may find this a worrisome time of year, wondering how their newly sober loved one might cope.

Ways to Enjoy Being Sober When Everyone Else is Drinking

Someone can be a bit standoffish, but manage to be prickly, critical, and self-aggrandizing when sober. Alcohol is a major cause of motor vehicle accidents and poor decision-making. If a person chooses to consume alcohol, they should do so safely and take whatever steps are necessary to avoid putting themselves and others in harm’s way. While people can drink safely and responsibly, many risks have an association with alcohol. This can include accidents, injuries, violence, unsafe sexual behavior, and even death. Never drinking alcoholic beverages on an empty stomach.

If you recently had surgery or an injury, your doctor will be careful with the pain medication they give you, because some of those drugs can make you more likely to relapse. Ask your doctor about nonmedical ways to manage your pain, like massage or acupuncture. This may mean that you don’t spend time with someone you used to use drugs with or go somewhere you used to drink. You might take a new way home from work, for example, to keep from going past your favorite old hangout. While cirrhosis scars from excessive drinking are irreversible, quitting alcohol and leading a healthier lifestyle can help your liver heal from alcohol-related liver disease.

Mental Health Is Just As Important As Physical Health

And you might even find that you enjoy doing these types of things much more than activities that involve alcohol. Hopefully, some of your friends will support your decision. In fact, some of them might also be thinking about cutting back on their own alcohol use and be inspired by you. Evidence-based, personalized and life-saving addiction treatment. However, I am the only person sober enough to see it. I know because there’s always some drunk friend that says it any time she’s had a couple of margaritas. However, I am the only person that ever remembers she said it.

(Laughing at, not laughing with.) Either way, I don’t really want to be around much extreme drunkenness. For me, one of the big revelations that sobriety provided is that most adults can hold their drink just fine. Most of them stop before they overdo it, most of the time.

How do you stay sober when drinking inspires friendships, connections, and even promotions?

If you’re not sure where to start, check out these writing prompts. Or, cull down your food waste and toss your veggie scraps and ends into the freezer, then make a stock! Let ‘er simmer all day long and enjoy the aromas that come with it. It makes everyday local errands much more fun and fruitful, plus it’ll cut down on your gas usage. Or, make something new by picking up a stress-relieving fiber-based art—whether that’s sewing your own clothes, crocheting, embroidery or otherwise. Sip on some of these non-alcoholic beverage alternatives instead. Give yourself the gift of having an event to look forward to, by browsing sites like Groupon.

Now, if we’re just out to dinner and some people choose to order a beer or a glass of wine with dinner, personally I’m usually not bothered by it. The problem is when we’re hanging out at somebody’s house or at a bar and people start to get sloppy. #2 has really only happened once, but it had an awful impact on me and I can totally see it happening again if I being sober around drinkers don’t do something different. Get in touch at your convenience, and our team of experienced and compassionate professionals will offer you all of the guidance you need. Be honest with yourself — Honesty is truly the best policy, especially when it comes to maintaining long-term sobriety. Be honest with yourself when it comes to living with people that drinks.