Sober friendships are a great way to start a new outlook on life when you are in recovery. Recovery from drugs and alcohol is a very taxing event on your mind and body. The number one priority is to maintain your sobriety. The last thing on your mind is the thought on making new friends. Though if and when you do, these new people in your life can help to not only give you the support you need but to also help in guiding you on a new life path. Sober friendships can help to put you at ease in surrounding that might trigger old feelings, and help to resolve any issues you might have with older friends. There are a few ways to make new sober friends and continue your path to recovery.
Taking up a hobby that involves other people is a great way to meet new people. Sports, music, exercise, biking, classes, and many others are great ways to find new friends. New activities and friends can help you both achieve what you need. Support groups are another great way to meet new sober friends. Joining a group that focuses on your issues will help you to find common ground with someone new. Partaking in sober activities and functions are another way to find new sober friendships. You can find these events online or even through meetings and support groups.
For more on sober friendships visit Life Hack HERE
Getting sober is something that takes a lot of time and patience. Over time you start to adapt to the changes of sober living. One of the biggest worries a lot of sober people have is what to do when they leave their area and comfort zones. Taking a vacation let alone a sober vacation is not an easy trip to make. There is an element of anxiety and fear that comes with vacations. Avoiding the trappings of those fancy and fruity cocktails isn’t easy, especially if your trip takes you to a tropical place. For those out there that have a fear of taking a sober vacation on their own, there is a company that helps facilitate sober vacations.
Sober Vacations International (SVI) has been in business for 30 years. SVI specializes in alcohol and drug free vacations. Vacationers dine with a group of people at a table in an open seating fashion. The company is 12 step based and features 5 meetings a day. Other sober vacationers start their own meetings on the beaches or other landmarks while on the trip. The point of the company is to bring sober people together and show that life can be lived without being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
These vacations along with the other sober people on the trip all have a story to tell. Being around people that have been living a sober lifestyle can truly rub off on those that are still trying to figure it out. There are so many different ways to enjoy a vacation without a drink or drugs. When and if you feel ready take a small short trip first and go from there. Sober vacations can help you to also see the beauty of a place you never been to or only seen in pictures.
From 1981 to 1997, Pat O’Brien was a sportscaster for CBS Sports. Following his departure, Pat continued his career as an anchor on Access Hollywood and The Insider. In 2005, O’Brien entered rehab for his alcoholism after a scandal in which he left several graphic voicemail’s. Since the scandal, Pat has embraced his path to sobriety, as today, he helps many celebrities that are going through the same difficulties he went through.
When you come out of a treatment center, there are always those around you that think you’ll be fine just hanging out like you used to. Yet those friends don’t quite understand that being around these situations could act as a trigger to revert back to old ways.
Restraint is something that is a much needed coping mechanism to help deter one from falling down that old path again. Resisting drinking socially, is quite hard once you are out of recovery, especially when all you want to do is be with your friends. Putting your best interests in front of others is key to staying sober. Sobriety first. If the situations are making you uncomfortable maybe it’s not the right time to be there.
Perhaps if you plan on going out to a party for the evening, you bring your own non-alcoholic beverages. Most people who are hosting parties will be perfectly fine with that. Find other people around at the party that are doing something else besides drinking. Start playing a game with others to keep you busy and entertained. Some people there will want to try and delve into why you are now sober. You don’t have to answer that question, as it’s none of their business.
There might come a time when you are more than comfortable talking about your journey to being sober. Other times, not so much. The only thing you can do is what feels best for you. Maintain relationships with those around you that make you feel comfortable and respect your decisions. It’s perfectly fine to be a little apprehensive about going out with others. Trust your instincts and keep company with those that can help you keep you in check.
For more on how to deal with these situations read more on The Fix HERE
According to an article in The Washington Times, hundreds of men and women pass through sober living homes and successfully reach sobriety. The Washington Times article describes a sober living home located in Mississippi where residents are given a chance to start a new life after addiction. But it’s not only in Mississippi, sober living homes around the country are essential for anyone who needs professional support with healing from addiction.
In fact, many of those who begin to get help for addiction are in dire situations. They often have little money, no housing, and a group of friends or family still involved in drug use. However, staying at a sober living facility gives a person the opportunity to make changes they want in life.
One study found that sober living homes are an effective option for healing from addiction. The research found that those who were involved in 12-step programs, had a strong network of support and were living in a drug free environment tended to reach sobriety with few or no relapses. The study made clear the importance of social and environmental factors in recovery.
Of those who participated in this study, there were improvements in the areas of alcohol and drug use, arrests, psychiatric symptoms and employment. The study also confirmed that there are certain factors that predict better recovery outcomes, such as high involvement in 12-step meetings, little alcohol and drug use among peers, and a low severity level for any presenting mental illnesses.
This is important for recovering addicts to remember. It’s not only having a safe and substance-free environment that’s important. Recovery also needs to include the participation in 12-step meetings, working through any mental illnesses – if there are any, and avoiding friends or family members who may still be using. And with this there is a good chance that a person will remain sober. Fortunately, many sober living homes provide not only a healing environment but also the extra support to stay sober.
In fact, research indicates that of those who get professional help, one third of men and women will achieve long-term sobriety with their first serious attempt at recovery. Another one third of will have brief relapse periods and then achieve abstinence, while another one third will go through chronic relapses before eventually recovering from their addiction. Of course, the journey of recovery is different for everyone. Whether one relapses or not can depend upon the length of one’s addiction, the drug of choice, psychological health, the level of support, and types of recovery services a person is involved with.
Just like the sober living facility described in the article and like most sober living homes around the country, having a place to live that provides a structured environment, healthy meals, a community of sober-minded individuals, and life goals to pursue helps recovery addicts stay sober.
Without residing at a sober living home, it might be challenging for someone to get sober on their own. There are frequently triggers in one’s home environment and there’s more probability for relapse to occur. Yet, even if someone were to relapse while at a sober living home, there’s a good chance that the support of professionals and friends can easily bring a person back to the road to recovery.
Summer is upon us, which means lighter days and longer nights! BBQs, beaches, boogie boarding, and brunching are just a few things on the long list of awesome activities to enjoy all summer long. However, there is a whole other facet of embodied summer fun, and it involves booze. The good news is that there’s a lot more to summer than day-drinking and diving into a cooler of beer.
If you are in recovery, there is great fun to be had during the summer months – and you can avoid drugs and alcohol altogether. Sober Nation’s basic yet essential go-to tips for a fun, safe, and sober summer are equally awesome and unique.
