When you’ve given up drinking, going to parties can be a challenge. You’re usually surrounded by a lot of people with a drink in their hand, which can cause you to wonder how you’ll manage to have fun and stay sober all night. Thankfully, there are ways to ensure that you have a good time at these types of gatherings while sticking to your goal of sober living.
Make Yourself Useful
Keeping yourself busy can help pass the time at a party, but that doesn’t mean you have to serve food or clean up after everyone. Find a fun way to be useful at the party, such as volunteering to be the DJ. You’ll get to hear your favorite tunes and get some laughs while watching those who are drunk stumble around the dance floor.
Look for a Fellow Non-drinker
Keep in mind that you’re likely not the only sober person at the party. There might be a few designated drivers that you can chat with or other partygoers who aren’t into alcohol. If your friends are too drunk to talk to, hang out with the non-drinkers in the crowd. You’ll have a great time and might end up making a new friend or two.
Enjoy Free Entertainment
If your friends are the types who start doing or saying amusing things while drunk, you can have some laughs watching them or interacting with them. Instead of focusing on the fun they seem to be having, you can focus on having fun while being around them.
Carry a Non-alcoholic Beverage Around
Being around others who are drinking when you’re going through a 12 step recovery program is hard enough. Walking around with a glass filled with soda or another non-alcoholic beverage reduces the risk of having other people offer you drinks all night. You won’t have to make as much effort to resist the temptation to have just one drink.
Make an Exit Strategy
You’ll be able to enjoy yourself more at the party if you have an exit strategy figured out ahead of time. This allows you to relax and be comfortable leaving the party if it gets to be too much to handle. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to stick around for most or all of the party if you offer to drive friends home.