Explain your concerns and make it clear that your worry comes from a place of love. Don’t put yourself in compromising situations if you can avoid it. Your recovery should always be a top priority, and you should never have to apologize for that. If you do have an occasion where your attendance is required, be sure to mentally prepare ahead of time. Have a few people to support you during the event and leave if things get too overwhelming.
One of the best ways that you can support your friends early on is to invite them out for (non-alcoholic) activities. A walk in the park might not seem like a big deal for you, but for someone trying to resist alcohol cravings, it can be an important lifeline. Worrying and stressing about your loved one can take a toll on your mind and body, so find ways to relieve the pressure. Eating right, exercising regularly, and sleeping well can all help to keep stress in check.
Great Oaks Recovery Supports You
If you’re in recovery and feel especially fragile or are craving alcohol even after you leave the environment, be sure to seek help. Call a trusted friend or family member or go to a meeting at a nearby support group. A change in your friendship dynamics doesn’t have to be a bad thing, however. There’s always a chance that you’ll enjoy conversations with your friends more when you’re sober. And you may even find that they appreciate you more or respect your decisions. Being sober doesn’t have to mean giving up your social life, yet managing sobriety in a social setting (especially when alcohol is involved) can be a bit of a challenge.
How to stop drinking: what I learned from going sober for a year – Cosmopolitan UK
How to stop drinking: what I learned from going sober for a year.
Posted: Mon, 01 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
That means you’ll need plenty of patience when supporting your loved one’s recovery. Accountability is ultimately your loved one’s responsibility. They can connect in daily alcohol support groups, work with a therapist https://ecosoberhouse.com/ in alcohol therapy, and chat with other Monument community members. While you aren’t expected to provide accountability, you can play a supporting role by helping your loved one establish clear and achievable goals.
About INTEGRIS Health
For people who are concerned about their use of alcohol or drugs. Can also be applied to other behaviors, like gambling or self-harm. Paul is passionate about high-quality addiction treatment and truly believes that, with the right treatment, anyone can recover. If you have not been through rehab yourself and this is your first being sober around drinkers encounter with someone with an addiction, educating yourself about addiction and recovery will help you understand their struggles. You have a fantastically supportive community here and in other online spaces. Recovery Twitter is incredible, and there is always your local AA or other recovery programs you can turn to.
If it looks like your friends might be venturing into the land of the drunk and ridiculous, that’s your cue to head home. You like hanging out with your friends at happy hour, eating discount wings, and talking shit about anything and everything. And then they’re going to make a conscious effort not to be bad friends. Reinforce what you’re doing is important, and you need them to be more supportive.
Keep it positive
So, if you have a friend who wants to discuss their sobriety or reasons for being sober with you, listen and avoid passing judgment. Another way to show support is by staying sober yourself, even if it’s just for the evening. While many sober folks don’t mind being the only one not drinking, a little moral support can go a long way — especially if your friend is new to sobriety.