Staying Social When You Quit Drinking
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Loading... - Emma Endris
- 16 Jun 2022
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For many of us, there’s a strong link between drinking and socializing. But cutting down on alcohol doesn’t have to diminish your social life. These tips can help you maintain relationships without drinking.
The link between drinking and being social
You may have decided to cut back on alcohol or quit drinking altogether in order to improve your mood, sleep, physical health, or relationships. Or perhaps you’ve decided to take a temporary break from drinking as part of a “Dry January,” Lent, or a cleanse. But whether your goal is a long-term change in drinking habits or a short-term hiatus, you’ll likely run into a similar challenge: how to stay social without drinking alcohol.
Many of us use alcohol to as a social lubricant or to unwind and have fun with friends and family members. You might have beers with friends as you cheer on your favorite sports team, enjoy a glass of wine during a family dinner, enjoy a happy hour with coworkers, or experiment with mixed drinks at a college party.
Drinking alcohol and socializing go together in so many ways that trying to decouple the two activities can be a very tricky task. Perhaps you fear that if you’re not drinking then friends will stop inviting you out, leaving you feeling isolated and lonely. Even just the thought of enduring snide comments and mean-spirited jokes may prevent you from trying to cut back on your alcohol use.
Or maybe your concerns are based on internal factors. If you tend to alcohol to reduce social anxiety, you may fear that your stress levels will spike once you quit drinking. You may also be worried that you won’t know how to loosen up and have fun without a drink in your hand. The possibility of giving into temptation can add to this stress. You might ask yourself, “Can I stay sober when faced with peer pressure?”
No matter how tightly connected your alcohol use is with your social life, it is possible to give up or cut back on your drinking while staying social. The following tips can help you talk to others about your new drinking habits, set healthy boundaries, and address potential triggers that could derail your good intentions.
How to talk to people about your new drinking habits
If drinking is a staple of your social life, you might feel a little nervous about talking to others about your decision. Whether you’re quitting, cutting back, or taking a temporary break from alcohol, it can help to explain your new intentions to friends and drinking buddies. Some will be more supportive than others, but it can be easier to explain yourself once rather than have to repeatedly turn down drinks.
The conversation doesn’t need to feel formal. You don’t need to gather all your friends in one room and make a big announcement. You can casually mention your new drinking habits in one-on-one interactions. Just make sure they understand that you’re serious about the change.
Set clear boundaries. If you plan to cut back, be clear about how much you’re willing to drink. If you plan to abstain entirely, make that clear. If you’re aiming for a short-term goal, such as a month-long cleanse, you can let them know your timeline as well.
Decide if you want to give reasons for your change. You shouldn’t feel pressured to explain yourself. However, doing so might make it easier for those around you to understand why you’re changing your drinking habits. Some friends may even relate to your goals and decide to join you in cutting back.
Let others know how they can support you. This could involve relocating your weekly hangouts to places other than bars or replacing drinking games with other activities. You might also appreciate verbal support and words of encouragement from friends and family. At the very least, they shouldn’t relentlessly tease you or pressure you to drink.
Be ready for potential negativity. It’s possible that your decision to cut back on drinking will rub some people the wrong way. Some members of your social circle may respond with dismissive gestures, like rolling their eyes, or stern verbal objections. But don’t allow their negative reactions to deter you. Instead, shift your attention and time to more supportive friends and family members.
Even after you talk to your friends about your goals, you may still run into other challenges, both external and internal. The following tips can help improve your chances of success.
Maintaining sobriety when socializing tip 1: Be mindful of triggers
Knowing your triggers is always a helpful first step in dropping an ingrained habit. Triggers are situations that spark an urge to drink. For example, watching another person drink a beer could make you crave one. Or maybe hanging out with certain friends after work serves as a mental cue that it’s time to drink. Emotional states, such as anxiety or embarrassment, can also act as triggers.
Take a moment to write down your triggers. This will give you a general idea of what internal and external obstacles you’re likely to encounter as you try to stop drinking. Then, you can begin to prepare the appropriate preventative steps.
For example, being at bars, sporting events, or other venues that serve alcohol can be a trigger top drink. Rather than put yourself in that position, do what you can to steer social hangouts to places and occasions where drinking isn’t the norm. For example:
- Watch movies or local stage performances where alcohol isn’t served.
- Use cafes, community halls, or libraries as casual meetup spots with friends.
- Catch up with a friend while walking, hiking, or cycling rather than at a bar.
- Spend time with others at museums, galleries, or exhibitions.
Tip 2: Know how to respond to peer pressure
Unsupportive friends or old drinking buddies can be common sources of peer pressure. When you’re out socializing, you might face teasing comments like
“You’re so boring now,” or “Why are you afraid to drink?” Even gentle nudges like, “Come on, just have one drink, I’m buying,” can become frustrating or uncomfortable and trigger you to drink.
It can help to have some responses lined up in advance. Consider saying things like:
- “I’m driving, so I don’t want to drink.”
- “I have work in the morning and alcohol affects my sleep.”
- “I’m cutting back for health reasons.”
- “My doctor wants me to cut back.”
Keep in mind that you’re under no obligation to explain yourself. You can firmly but politely say, “I won’t be drinking tonight,” and then change the subject. A single assertive answer is often enough to get your point across, but be ready to say “no” again if the person is insistent. Good friends should respect your decision without giving you any pushback.
Finding new friends who don’t drink
If your current friends aren’t supportive of your efforts to stop drinking, know that making new friends is always an option. By cutting out trips to the bar and morning hangovers, you’ve probably freed up some time in your schedule. Use that time to make new connections.
Join local clubs that match your hobbies. If you’re a bookworm, join a book club. If you’re into arts and crafts, you can likely find clubs that cater to those interests. Enjoy spending time in nature? Look for hiking or walking groups. Once you’re in these types of spaces, you can bond with people over interests aside from drinking. Mutual-support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), can also offer ways to connect with people who are dealing with similar challenges.
Look for volunteer opportunities. Volunteering is a great way to build relationships as well as cultivate a sense of purpose. From soup kitchens to mentorship programs, look for ways to use your skills to serve your community. Social connections will crop up naturally as you get to know peers and the people you’re helping.
Take a class. Community colleges tend to offer courses in a variety of subjects for people of any age. Classes that focus on creative skills, such as acting, dancing, and writing, often require you to engage with peers. Embrace the opportunity to develop and nurture your skills while also connecting with people who have similar passions.
Tip 3: Try out non-alcoholic drinks
If you’re at an event where everyone else is drinking, you may feel a little awkward without a drink in your hand. In these cases, non-alcoholic substitutes can come in handy. Since more and more people are choosing to abstain these days, the choice and quality of non-alcoholic drinks has improved a lot in recent years.
Consider ordering a classic non-alcoholic cocktail such as a Shirley Temple, trying a zero-alcohol beer, or even a glass of alcohol-free wine. Read More...
