If you’re in recovery, you might be concerned about how to have a sober summer. While many picture summer as a time for cold beers or fancy cocktails, it’s possible to still have a great time without risking your sobriety. Just make a plan and remember that it’s okay to say no to some events. In addition, try to avoid falling into old habits with old friends or places. Host events yourself so that you can control the amount of alcohol intake. And finally, if you’re comfortable being around others who are drinking, it’s helpful to bring along a mocktail so that you feel like you’re joining in on the fun. Hopefully, by following these tips, you’ll be able to enjoy a great summer season without having to risk your recovery.
Sober Summer: How to Keep Your Recovery on Track Over the Summer Holiday
It’s Okay to Say No
The first tip to enjoying a sober summer is to remember that it’s perfectly fine to decline some invitations. Especially if you know that the party is likely to involve a lot of alcohol. And remember, if you get to an event and things are getting wild, it’s totally fine to leave early. The host will understand if it’s a matter of your own health.
Don’t Fall Into Old Habits
It can also help to avoid old habits when trying to have a sober summer. It’s easy to get caught up in nostalgia if you’re hanging out with old friends or at old stomping grounds from your drinking days. If your friends are not supportive of your recovery journey, you might want to limit the times you hang out with them.
Host Yourself
Hosting events yourself is another great way to have a sober summer. If you’re the host you can dictate how much alcohol is around. You can even specify that an event needs to be alcohol-free. If somebody doesn’t want to come to a sober event, then they’re welcome to decline. But at least this way you can control the wildness of the party.
Bring a Mocktail
Finally, if you’re able to be around others who are drinking, it can be helpful to bring along a mocktail for yourself. This way, you’ll feel like you have a drink in your hand without risking your sobriety. It can also help with preventing friends from offering to get you a drink or asking why you aren’t joining in.
It’s possible and easy to have a sober summer as long as you have some determination and a game plan in place. Remember that it’s okay to say no to some events if you think they’ll be wild. In addition, try to avoid places or people from your past drinking days because they’ll be more likely to tempt you to break your sobriety. Choose to host events yourself so that you can dictate how much or how little alcohol there will be. And finally, bring along a delicious mocktail with you so that you feel like you’re joining in on the fun. Just because it’s summertime doesn’t mean that you have to give up on your recovery journey. You’ve worked hard, and staying sober will keep you healthier in the long run.