Attending a wedding when in recovery can be a difficult milestone because there is often a lot of alcohol at these kinds of events, which can be tempting if you are new to recovery. Even if you have been sober a long time, if things begin to get rowdy, it can be a difficult environment to navigate. Make sure that you wait until you are ready to be around others who are partaking in alcohol before you commit to big group events like this. Additionally, review your sobriety support and prepare mentally for being in a tempting environment. Ask the bartender for a non-alcoholic alternative or mocktail so that you have something you can use during toasts. And finally, be prepared to prioritize your health and leave early if things become too rowdy or put you into an uncomfortable position. Hopefully, as you get further into your recovery journey, you’ll start to feel more and more comfortable at events where others are drinking heavily.
Attending a Wedding When in Recovery: Prioritize Your Wellness
Wait Until You Are Ready
It’s important not to push yourself too far too fast when you are in recovery for alcoholism. It might be a long time before you are comfortable being around others who are drinking, and that’s perfectly fine. Attending a wedding when in recovery can be especially difficult because it’s an event where people often cut loose and even get overly intoxicated. If you don’t think you will be able to maintain your sobriety in this sort of environment, it might be best to wait until you feel more confident.
Prepare Yourself in Advance
It’s also helpful to prepare yourself mentally before attending a wedding when in recovery. You might want to review your sobriety literature, speak with your sponsor, or go back and revisit the reason you decided to get sober in the first place. Have support in place, like a supportive friend you can call if you feel tempted to drink. You might even consider bringing a support person along with you to the event to help you stay on track with your sobriety goals.
Substitute Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Most events that serve alcohol will have non-alcoholic alternatives you can drink if you are sober. For example, they might serve fancy mocktails or have non-alcoholic beers or wine. If you are unsure, you can ask the bride or groom ahead of time if you feel comfortable. Keeping a non-alcoholic drink in your hand will prevent friends from bringing you drinks, or asking questions about why you aren’t partaking in alcohol.
Be Prepared to Leave if Necessary
Finally, when attending a wedding when in recovery, you might need to have an escape plan. Sometimes, at events like this, things can get a little out of control when it comes to drinking. If things are getting too wild and crazy, you might need to make a quick exit. You don’t have to explain yourself, but if you feel you need to make an excuse, you could say something like “I’m not feeling well” or “I need to get up early in the morning.” If the bride and groom are friends, they’ll want you to prioritize your mental and physical health.
Attending a wedding when in recovery can be an intimidating step in the process towards sobriety. It’s often difficult for those who are recovering to be around others who are drinking. It’s okay if you don’t feel comfortable being in these kinds of situations for a long time. You have to prioritize your wellness journey and get to a place where you feel confident in your ability to be around alcohol without partaking before attending social events like weddings. Prepare in advance by speaking with your sponsor and reviewing your reason for getting sober in the first place. You might even consider bringing along a support person or accountability partner if the bride and groom allow it. Substitute an alcoholic beverage for a mocktail or non-alcoholic beer or liquor. And finally, don’t be afraid to make a hasty exit if you begin to feel tempted to drink or feel your resolve slipping. As you get further into your sobriety journey, you’ll get more and more comfortable being in social situations where others are drinking.