The Benefits of having Sober Friends
Sobriety can be a lifelong journey. The physical, psychological and emotional toll substance addiction takes on a person can be devastating. Because of that, the road to recovery and sobriety can become a constant work in progress for many people. One factor that can greatly contribute to sobriety success is finding and surrounding oneself with sober friends. Sober friends are people who also abstain from all forms of mind-altering substances such as alcohol and drugs. Having sober friends can be very beneficial to your emotional wellness, maintaining sobriety and maintaining important relationships during recovery.
When getting sober, there are a few questions that people often contemplate. Can I have fun without drugs? What will my friends’ reactions be? Will I feel alone? Will I be able to say no to drugs when confronted with it? Oftentimes, having a solid support system of sober friends and family can help you stay accountable and maintain a healthy recovery journey.
For many people, after they have decided to get sober, their relationship with some people in their lives will begin to change. The people you believed to be your friends might have just been your drinking or drug buddies. These people also might not offer the support you need for your sobriety journey. Relationships with friends and family will change. It can be important to find the support of sober friends as you embark on the journey of recovery and sobriety.
Benefits of having Sober Friends
Finding sober friends can be challenging. However, it can be a crucial factor in maintaining your sobriety journey. Sober friends can be helpful and important to your substance use disorder recovery. It increases the probability of you staying sober. It also increases the likelihood of a sustained recovery. Oftentimes the people you associate with and spend time with will influence your overall behavior and beliefs. Sober friends can encourage you to maintain your own sobriety and keep yourself accountable for staying healthy.
Sober friends can also provide social support during the ups and downs and most challenging moments in your recovery journey. They can provide emotional support at times when you may be struggling or experiencing cravings. This is because they have probably been in the same or similar situation as you and can relate to your experiences and offer helpful ways to manage.
Having sober friends can also teach you how to have fun without alcohol and drugs. It is important to learn how to have a good time without engaging in substances while spending time with family and sober friends.
Ways in which you can make Sober Friends
- Community meetings and Recovery Support Groups – AA, SMART, Refuge Recovery, Moderation Management and Recovery Dharma are different types of recovery support groups that aim to empower people to stay sober.
- Sober movements – Today there are many types of sober movements across the country. Sober movements aim to question people’s relationship to alcohol and question why alcohol needs to be a norm for having fun or enjoying a night out with friends. Sober movements offer support and resources through local communities, conferences, and in-person meet-ups.
- Retreats and Travel – Sober retreats are often multi-day events intended to help you achieve a more balanced life through workshops, groups and educational classes. Going on travel retreats to meet new like-minded people, while getting you out of your comfort zone can be beneficial to recovery. Sober-minded retreats encourage you to work through your challenges and learn to embrace your vulnerable moments. It can also help you find connections with other sober-minded people.
- Online – Joining an online support group or community can provide support for your sobriety journey. There are tons of communities online providing support and resources to help you stay sober. Sometimes it can be easier to connect with people online initially. And with online communities, you are able to meet and connect with sober friends from around the world.
- Social Media – Utilizing social media can truly open up a new world of the sober community. Using Instagram hashtags, searching sobriety, and searching through Facebook groups can connect sober people to a community and a support system. There are also social apps created specifically for sober people and people in recovery.
- Volunteer at local community events – Volunteering at your local community center can be a great way to give back, and boost your own emotional cup. Research has proven that volunteering is associated with lower rates of depression and other mental health conditions people often face throughout sobriety.
- Join a fitness class or group – Physical movement like working out and exercising has been proven to provide mental health benefits as well as physical medical benefits. For some types of classes and groups, it can make exercising more enjoyable and more social while still promoting a sober environment.
- Create your own community – If you don’t see a place where you feel comfortable or fit in, you can create your own sober community. It can be in person or online and it will be a place where you can feel support on your recovery journey.
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Getting sober might mean you lose friends
Getting sober can be a difficult journey and not one without ups and downs. Some people may find that one of the most challenging aspects of sobriety is changes to relationships with friends. In fact, many people who do get sober might lose friends. There are many reasons why this may happen.
You have changed your outlook on life and your prescriptive on life now that you have cleared your mind and body from substances. These new changes may be great for you but not for others who have only known the person you were when you were on substances. They may react with confusion, resentment, or even mistrust in you.
In some cases, your friends might not know what to say. These may be friends who introduced you to substances and didn’t recognize the signs that you may be seriously in danger from addiction. They may feel a sense of guilt or simply may not be able to relate to your new sober lifestyle.
In other cases, you and your friend have simply grown apart and they are no longer a part of your new sober journey. This can help eliminate the pressures to try and maintain a relationship with a person or people who do not understand your sobriety and who are not willing to support you on your journey.
Reach out to Hotel California by the Sea
We specialize in treating addiction and other co-occurring disorders, such as PTSD. Our Admissions specialists are available to walk you through the best options for treating your addiction.
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Overcoming an addiction is not easy. It is a lifelong process that requires support, tools and resources advocating for a sober lifestyle. Behavioral health treatment programs such as Hotel California by the Sea provide treatment for those diagnosed with substance use disorder, alcohol use disorder or co-occurring mental health disorders. Our treatment center offers different levels of care including detox, residential, PHP and IOP services. In addition, we utilize rigorous treatment methods such as CBT, DBT and family therapy to help clients understand the root cause of their addiction. Clients will learn ways to manage their cravings, while also learning skills to manage and avoid triggers for their addiction. Hotel California by the Sea is dedicated to helping clients in all stages of addiction to live a healthier and happier life in sobriety.
References:
https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-go-out-when-you-re-quitting-drinking-4788307
https://www.workithealth.com/blog/sober-friends-quit-drinking/
https://www.choosingtherapy.com/how-to-make-sober-friends/
https://zinniahealth.com/substance-use/blog/reasons-your-friends-dumped-you-after-getting-sober
https://euphoricaf.com/blog-home/how-to-make-sober-friends