Staying Sober In A Drinking Culture

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Staying Sober In A Drinking Culture

Drinking Has Become Normalized In American Culture. It’s A Sad Truth. There Are Billboards And Commercials Everywhere You Look, Telling You To Drink This Or Go Drink There. In 2017, The Journal Of The American Medical Association Did A Study Showing Alcohol Consumption Has Increased In The United States, Specifically In Women, Younger Adults, Minorities, And Lower-Income Households. Beachcomber Drug And Alcohol Outpatient Rehab Has Been A Beacon Of Light, Offering A Different Culture-One That Promotes Long-Term Health, Happiness, And Sobriety.Often When A Social Occasion Arises, The Go-To Is “Let’s Get Drinks.” This Can Be A Huge Problem For Those Who Don’t Drink. It’s Important To Have A Solution For Staying Sober In This “Let’s Get Drinks” Culture.There Are Infinite Reasons Not To Drink. Whether You Don’t Like The Taste, You’re Focused On Health, Or You Struggle With Addiction. Avoiding Environments Where Alcohol Is Served Can Help You Not Only Feel More Comfortable While Avoiding Alcohol But Also Will Help You Enjoy Life More. A Sober Life Does Not Have To Be A Lonely Or Boring Life. Due To This Drinking Culture, You May Have To Get Creative With Ways To Stay Social And Also Stay Sober. Beachcomber Drug And Alcohol Outpatient Rehab In South Florida Can Provide Support And Creative Input That Can Help You On That Journey.

Dating

Dating Can Be Difficult Sober Simply Because One Of The Easiest Pickup Lines Is, “Can I Buy You A Drink?” However, It Doesn’t Have To Be. With Proper Preparation And Planning Ahead You Can Have More Engaging And Satisfying Dates Without Alcohol And Who Knows You May End Up Really Getting To Know Each Other On A Deeper Level. In Dating, Getting Drinks Is Almost A Crutch. It’s An Easy Way To Feel More Relaxed Or At Ease When You Are Nervous, But It Doesn’t Foster An Authentic Connection. “Beer Goggles” Are A Very Real Thing That Can Deceive You From Seeing Someone’s Potential Or Even Someone’s Red Flags.

Old Friends

Breaking The Ice Can Be Awkward When Reuniting A Past Relationship Or Meeting Up With Old Friends. Grabbing A Drink To Help Overcome Awkward Conversation, Too Many, Seems Like The Obvious Solution. Making A Different Choice Like Asking A Supportive Friend To Accompany You Or Meeting In A Neutral Atmosphere That Does Not Encourage Drinking Could Result In A More Amicable Outcome.

Coworkers

Happy Hour Is A Common Form Of Bonding For Fellow Coworkers After Work. However, While Hanging Out As Work Friends Can Be Fun When Adding Alcohol To The Scenario Issues Can Arise And Can Complicate Your Ability To Perform And Interact Appropriately In The Work Environment As A Result.

Alternatives To The “Let’s Get Drinks” Culture

Coffee Dates

Coffee Is Also A Normalized Place To Meet Up With Acquaintances. Coffee Dates Can Be However Short Or Long You Want Them To Be And Normally End Up Stimulating Conversation. Coffee Dates Will Allow You To Really Focus On Each Other While Also Having Something To Hold To Make You Feel More Comfortable.

Puppy Play Dates

A Person’s Pet Says A Lot About Them And Can Also Create A Lot Of Dialogue. Bringing A Pet Can Take The Attention Off You So You Feel More Comfortable Sharing Your Thoughts And Connecting.

Breakfast Or Lunch Dates

Lunch And Breakfast Are Rarely Drinking Occasions. You Can Connect Over Foods You Like And Have A Good Conversation About Your Day While Avoiding The “Let’s Get A Drink” Pressure.

Nature Dates

Spending Time In Nature And Engaging In Exercise Activities Outside Release Natural Anti-Depressants That Can Help You Feel Balanced And At Peace Allowing You The Ability To Connect With Your Friends With More Openness And Joy. Sharing A Love For Nature’s Beauty Is A Perfect Way To Bond In A Stress-Free Environment.

We Are Social Creatures So It’s Important To Seek To Stay Connected Even If You Feel Left Out Due To Your Sobriety. Remember The People Who Care About Your Sobriety, Who Will Go To Great Lengths To Support You In That Journey. If This Is Something You’ve Been Working On Alone, There Are Lots Of Resources To Help You On Your Path Of Sobriety. If You Are Looking For Drug And Alcohol Outpatient Rehab In South Florida, Beachcomber Specializes In Sober Living And Would Be Happy To Guide You On Your Journey And Provide You With A Support Group.