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In that case, just keep a glass in your hand of something that looks like alcohol just to stop people from giving you drinks. As you consider all of your relationships, be honest with yourself about which ones support your recovery and which ones might threaten it. Generally, it’s not recommended to go back to the same activities and lifestyle that encouraged you to drink. You have a new life now, and sometimes people from your past cannot be a part of your future. Water Gap Wellness Center offers expert and compassionate treatment for mental health and substance abuse at our Pennsylvania facility, just outside New Jersey, a short drive from New York.
- Whatever it is, appreciate its nuances slowly.Bring the glass to your lips every now and then and tilt it.
- If you experience any of the following, take a step back and reach out to your therapist or mentor for a bit of help.
- Or maybe they’re not right for you now, but in the future, they will be.
- But for most people, staying sober isn’t that straightforward.
- These facts mean a person is still intoxicated when they have a BAC of 0.08 or more.
Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind. She’s also a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and international bestselling author. Her books, including “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do,” have been translated into more than 40 languages.
Help is one step away
Obviously, you aren’t likely to avoid alcohol all the time. Weddings, shows, and even art galleries usually serve alcohol. tips to stay sober And, of course, your friends may want to go to bars, clubs, or other events where alcohol is one of the main attractions.
It’s important to remember that everyone’s relationship with alcohol is different, and we’re on this journey of recovery because ultimately the consequences of drinking outweigh the benefits for us. Remembering your “why” can help move past this – or maybe you’ve got a pros and cons list written down somewhere you can reference. If you find yourself fighting a craving and wondering how to stay sober, focus on your reasons for entering recovery and getting sober in the first place.
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As an addiction psychiatrist, I work with patients in all stages of recovery. For those in early recovery, staying sober can be hard. Former drinking buddies , old haunts and old habits like using alcohol and/or drugs to escape, cope or provide reward https://ecosoberhouse.com/ are hard to shake. These people, places and things are often also the triggers that lead to relapse and so they must be addressed in treatment and aftercare. This option offers the best of both worlds if you’re someone who enjoys socializing.
Alcohol isn’t for everyone, and it certainly isn’t a “healthy life choice.” So don’t feel like you are lame or unexciting because you don’t want to drink. Understanding your own reasons not to drink will help you say no in even the trickiest situations.If you’ve made a decision not to drink, for whatever reason, stick to it. “Just one drink” is often the recipe for an unpleasant night. You’ll still be able to drink, but you’ll be able to space out the actual alcohol, keeping you soberer. You can even water down beer by mixing it with lemonade, crafting a “shandy” instead of a straight beer.Go alcohol free.
