When serotonin and dopamine levels are low, we become less motivated and less interested in our surroundings. This can lead to feelings of extreme boredom and apathy. Alcohol consumption can impair coordination and decision-making. If a person chooses to consume alcohol, they should do so safely and take whatever steps being sober around drinkers are necessary to avoid putting themselves and others in harm’s way. However, many factors, such as a person’s sex, medication use, and health, can affect intoxication and cause BAC to rise quicker and fall slower. If someone with a BAC level of 0.08 stops drinking, it will take roughly 6 hours for them to sober up.

The suggested methods above may help a person feel and appear more alert but will not decrease blood alcohol levels in their body. Dehydration can occur when drinking alcohol, so avoiding salty foods is important. Drinking plenty of water can also help people stay hydrated when consuming alcohol.

Give yourself permission to need support

We’ll delve into the importance of honesty in your sobriety journey, and how transparency can lead to gaining supportive allies. We will also discuss ways of preparing for social interactions as a non-drinker and the benefits of having go-to responses ready. Due to my condition I have on countless occasions been the only sober person in the entire, bar, house, street, boat, truck bed, swimming pool, etc. My unique position has afforded me a rare glimpse into the behavioral patterns of the plastered, plowed, tipsy, smashed, buzzed, blottoed, and otherwise inebriated.

I ask because I’m really new to this and am curious about what to expect. In the past when I have been sober around drunks they are really annoying and you just wanna get out of there and do something else. Im guessing a lot of those same feeling will come back, but when its around people you know and like it might be different. This subreddit is a place to motivate each other to control or stop drinking.

Additional resources to fight boredom in sobriety:

For many of us, lying is something we left behind with alcohol. There’s no greater power than owning who and what you are. Generally, when I’m in a room full of drinkers and I say I don’t drink, I’m met with surprised eyes and confused faces.

• By being open about your struggles and victories, others can join you on this path towards wellness.
• MHA Screening is an educational program intended to help inform people about options they have in getting help for mental health issues.
• In these programs, it’s customary to receive plastic chips as you progress to the one-year mark, at which time you receive a bronze coin.
• Whether your sobriety has you wallowing in boredom or self-pity, please know that it will get better.

For anyone with a family history of alcohol use disorder, there is a higher risk of also developing the condition. For those people, it may be wise to avoid consuming alcohol altogether. This was my big move last year and it worked really well. After dinner is over (usually quite late) and everyone is settling in for some more chatting or a game or whatever, I would announce ‘Night everyone I’m off to bed! ’ and would head to our room to read a book by torch light (so not to wake the kids). No-one gave me shit for leaving, others sometimes peel away too.

Embracing Honesty in Your Sobriety Journey

Filling your time with sober activities and sober people will help you feel like you aren’t alone in trying to stay sober. They will help you see that things are ok and that there are plenty of things you can do, and there is fun to be had, without being under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Plus, when you stop hanging out with your friends who use drugs or alcohol, you’ll need a new support system. And, these friends should be sober as they will share the same need to protect sobriety.

• You concentrate on your breath and just notice when thoughts come into your mind which they do quite naturally.
• Focus on conversations and catching up with friends, not your desire to drink.
• All that matters is finding people who can do those activities without alcohol.
• You need to be your own boss and have a strong backbone.
• Fortunately, there are some things you can consider to help protect yourself and your sobriety.

I know because there’s always some drunk friend that says it any time she’s had a couple of margaritas. However, I am the only person that ever remembers she said it. Some drunks somehow manage to find the only sober person in the room, engage them in conversation, and reveal all their kinks, which actually aren’t kinky at all. After a few drinks, all my best friend wants to do is give hugs and cuddle—doesn’t much matter who. Once he locks onto you (we are still trying to figure out what triggers him), he will quickly and relentlessly violate anyone’s definition of personal space. Someone can be a bit standoffish, but manage to be prickly, critical, and self-aggrandizing when sober.

However, research suggests that while 12-step groups are effective, people often don’t continue their involvement at beneficial levels over the long term. How you deal with this one is you use it and you own it and you live it, because there is nothing more beautiful than a human who has no other choice but to be themself. Remember, you’re not alone; there are resources available to help you stay focused on sobriety. By being open about your struggles and victories, others can join you on this path towards wellness. They may even become inspired by your determination and choose healthier habits themselves. Take a person who’s pleasing to the eye, intelligent, put together, and when sober, brazenly competent, and confident—but after a few whisky sours, that person turns into a paranoid mess of self-doubt.

Socializing without alcohol can open up new possibilities for connection, fun, and personal growth. Embrace the opportunity to experience social interactions in a different light and create meaningful relationships that go beyond alcohol. These experiences gave me a new, genuine kind of confidence. All the difficult moments were still stressful, but they were a lot easier to manage without “hangxiety” heaped on top. And, all the fun things were more vibrant and memorable — a nine-mile running tour through Munich, a day at the Bundesgartenschau in Mannheim, and a trek to the castle at Heidelberg. Back in 2007, I was going through the darkest time of my life.

How to have fun and socialize sober

Personally, I always thought drunk people were fun, and I didn’t want my own poop relationship with alcohol to stand out. I wanted to blend in nicely with a crowd who understood that sometimes you just want to drink your face off, or one that didn’t think anything was weird about a glass of noon wine. Despite the difficulty of remaining sober in social gatherings where alcohol is served, it is possible to approach such situations with confidence through proper preparation and a positive attitude. However, with the right preparation and mindset, it’s entirely possible to navigate these scenarios confidently. Apparently, drinking is like sitting on the TV remote’s volume up button, except drunk people are the TV and I can’t find the remote.

• This can occur if a person is still drinking in excess up to the moment they fall asleep.
• As you spend more time building an amazing life for yourself and less time in bars, the better you get at saying no to a drink.
• Chaos and fun and laughter and catching up and lots of chats and entertaining kids and activities and stuff.

Even if you have no idea HOW things can change, trust the process and keep working on it. When you begin to view your negative thoughts and feelings as problems to be solved rather than the embodiment of who you actually are, you liberate yourself. Plus, you might meet some cool people, and that’s always a double win.