When you decide to become sober, some friends may feel wary or suspicious of your motives or think you’re not as fun. Peer pressure surrounding drinking and sobriety can be intense. Luckily, being sober around drinkers is possible — even if they are your friends. If you quit drinking and experience any new or worsening mental health symptoms, please consider therapy. As awkward as it may be to have this conversation, leaving this conversation unsaid can potentially put the individual’s health and safety at risk, or lead to a worrisome and unenjoyable night for you. Such a conversation is best conducted well in advance of the gathering, allowing clear expectations to be set for all attendees, and giving you the time to balance different wants and needs that will surely arise.

Give yourself permission to need support

I don’t have that much sex, and that’s more like me saying, I no longer lower my standards and sleep with just anyone because of beer goggles. There’s no easy pass for me anymore, no more getting drunk and slipping past the part where you get to know each other. There’s no more not caring if they see your cellulite or whatever you’re hiding under there; and you will, once and for all, discover that sex is never like in the movies. It is an awkward, vulnerable dance between two awkward, vulnerable humans.

Digital Health and Wearable Devices

Organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous are other ways to build a support network. You can try different meetings for the different groups to find one that’s right for you. A meta-analysis of two genome-wide association studies to identify novel loci for maximum number of alcoholic drinks. Knowing relapse signs can help you recognize your risk of relapse, and they may include a return to addictive thinking patterns and compulsive behaviors. By Amy Morin, LCSWAmy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do,” have been translated into more than 40 languages.

Social

As you progress through the first week of alcohol withdrawal, symptoms may intensify. This period carries the highest risk being sober around drinkers for severe complications, such as seizures and delirium tremens (DTs). DTs are a dangerous condition characterized by extreme confusion, rapid heartbeat, and high fever. Delirium tremens occurs in approximately 3% to 5% of individuals undergoing alcohol withdrawal.

• Consider joining a support group like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), SMART Recovery or Living a Sober Powered Life, where you can connect with others who are also navigating the journey of sobriety.
• These resources will help you develop coping strategies, process emotions, and maintain your motivation to stay alcohol-free.
• Gill is the owner of the Sober Powered Media Podcast Network, which is the first network of top sober podcasts.
• Work with your therapist or support group to develop a comprehensive, long-term recovery plan.

Often, these effects are subtle and not necessarily very noticeable as they occur—but they do occur. People who abuse alcohol get to a point in their drinking where they cannot manage any emotion in a healthy way. Drinking is the solution to boredom, frustration, sadness, and extreme happiness.

• Inpatient care allows for close monitoring and quick intervention if necessary, minimizing the risk of life-threatening complications such as seizures or delirium tremens.
• On the other hand, outpatient detox programs offer more flexibility and lower costs.
• It’s hard to fill that time, especially when dealing with alcohol cravings and triggers.
• You might actually find that being sober is more enjoyable than you predicted.
• John A. Smith is a Senior Psychotherapist at The Dawn and an internationally accredited Addiction Treatment Professional (ISSUP), Certified Life and NLP Coach.

How common is relapse?

Among recovering individuals themselves, in order to reduce risks, some choose only to attend sober parties or events. In some instances, family and friends may choose to hold their parties without alcohol, or at least downplay the central role that drinking might take. This can mean beefing up the non-alcoholic drink selection and offering more food options or other treats. Others in recovery, have more time or experience in dealing comfortably with such events, and may feel confident in their recovery while being around others who drink. 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.

Life After Alcohol Withdrawal: Embracing Long-Term Recovery

You and your community can take steps to improve everyone’s health and quality of life. If you’re ready to start on your path toward sobriety, American Addiction Centers (AAC) can help. Alcohol.org is a subsidiary of AAC, a nationwide provider of addiction treatment centers offering a combination of proven therapies and services to meet your individual needs. The first step in this process is to pause and take an honest inventory of how much and how often you have a drink, as well as how, over time, drinking may have affected you as individuals and as a couple.

• Every day you go without drinking boosts your self-esteem, even if you don’t notice.
• I would have classified myself as someone who loved to be around people and go out with them at night.
• This isn’t to say that all of your friends will be threatened, or that all of your friendships will change.
• It’s important to understand the three main stages to better navigate the challenges and seek appropriate support.
• If your partner is addicted to alcohol, it’s best not to try to force them to quit if they aren’t ready.

You may feel exhausted, both physically and emotionally, as your body and mind adjust to life without alcohol. To combat this fatigue, prioritize self-care, maintain a balanced diet, and engage in regular exercise. Look for social events or activities that don’t revolve around alcohol. Attend concerts, art exhibitions, sporting events, or volunteer activities focusing on shared interests or experiences rather than drinking. Look for cultural festivals, fitness classes, or hobby-based groups.