How to Stay Sober When Alcohol is Everywhere

Navigating life with sobriety can oftentimes be a challenge, especially when alcohol is everywhere you turn. It could be celebrating with family on holidays and birthdays, or networking events at work where everyone seems to have a cocktail in hand. Are you feeling overwhelmed by the amount of temptations surrounding you? 

Do you find yourself being triggered often and unable to fight off the urge to use? Don’t worry - it isn’t impossible! In this blog post, we are going to explore different strategies that will help make staying sober easier even when alcohol is so accessible.

Recognize and Acknowledge Your Triggers In Advance

Maintaining sobriety when alcohol is ever-present can be a challenge. Being aware of your triggers and recognizing them in advance is an important step in managing temptation. It's essential to be mindful of these situations or people who might bring about the desire to drink, and stay prepared by having strategies in place to combat any urges that arise. Those in recovery need to stay focused on their goals, allowing acknowledgement and recognition of the triggers to ultimately help overcome them.

Create a Plan for How to Avoid or Cope with Triggers Avoiding Environments or Places

Our inpatient alcohol detox San Diego substance abuse rehabilitation addiction treatment program understands that creating a plan for how to avoid or cope with triggers is essential for maintaining sobriety when there’s always alcohol around. To do this, it’s important to recognize when and where you feel most at risk. Those risks might include; 

• going to parties
• visiting certain friends 
• family members who use alcohol,
• situations like weddings or clubs

Once identified, an effective plan will often involve avoiding those risky environments and activities altogether; if that isn’t possible, then it’s necessary to come up with strategies for limiting your exposure with safety precautions such as having a support system in place beforehand. However you choose to deal with triggers of drinking, the goal should be the same – staying sober despite everything going on around you. Find New Hobbies or Activities Many in recovery find hobbies, activities and interests to effectively replace the desire to drink. Exercise, outdoor activities like hiking and camping, creative endeavors such as painting, journaling and playing music – the list of possible pastimes is vast. Finding a new hobby can help keep you busy and distracted from triggers

Find Activities Providing Alternatives to Drinking Alcohol

Preventative strategies for drug and alcohol addiction support can be found. Our addiction treatment centers across southern California provide many different strategies. Alternatives may include joining a club, going to the gym, getting involved with volunteering, etc. Finding activities that don't involve drinking alcohol can be a great way to find an alternative to consuming it. Joining a club or organization, getting involved with volunteer work, and visiting the gym are all options that can help to keep you occupied and away from alcohol. Not only can these activities provide environmental benefits, but they can also give you an opportunity to surround yourself with like-minded people who don't drink. 

Furthermore, each activity is unique in how it relates to your recovery journey: clubs or organizations give you a chance to meet new people and expand your social horizons; volunteering gives you the opportunity to feel empowered by helping others; finally, the gym helps keeps your mind and body healthy so you feel more prepared for handling any triggers that might come about.

Learn How to Say ‘No’ Politely and Stick By It

Learning how to politely decline offers of alcoholic beverages can be difficult, especially in a culture that is so heavily centered around it. However, practice can make the process much easier. For starters, try building up your own confidence by understanding why you are saying ‘no’ and knowing that you are making the right decision for yourself. If possible, prepare a polite response ahead of time that you can share with those offering if needed. Remember that being assertive without coming off as rude or ungrateful is always the most respectful route. The more you practice this method and stick by your boundaries, the easier it will become in the long run to politely decline drinks whenever necessary when living in a world where alcohol is so accessible.

Get Support From Friends or Family Members Who Also Don’t Drink

Staying sober in a world filled with alcohol can be a challenge, but having a strong support system of friends and family who respect your healthy lifestyle choices can help you to resist the urge. Friends and family members can offer a sense of community that is invaluable when it comes to staying away from the temptation to drink. They can also provide vital encouragement and understanding, something many people in recovery find crucial in their journey towards sobriety. No matter how difficult the situation is, it's beneficial to never lose sight of who has your back and is willing to walk with you down the path of recovery - especially when alcohol seems ever-present.

Seek Professional Help If You Need Extra Support Staying Sober

HGR drug rehabs San Diego, California knows that detoxing from alcohol may be difficult, and for some it's best to seek professional help. Drug and alcohol addiction treatment centers can provide alcohol detox programs in San Diego that offer a safe and structured environment in which to do so. A drug and alcohol detox program can also provide counselors who can work with you to create a tailored recovery plan. Still, alcohol detox is only the first step towards recovering from alcohol use disorder. 

Once a drug and alcohol detox is complete, an individual may find themselves in need of extra support to stay sober. Professional help is available for this as well which includes attending group sessions or utilizing personal coaching services. Taking advantage of accessible resources can ensure an individual gets the most out of their detox and recovery program, making sure they have all the tools they need to maintain lasting sobriety.

No, alcohol does not always have to trigger someone in recovery. While it can trigger certain emotions or cravings, there are a number of strategies that can be utilized to help manage these triggers and reduce their overall impact. A few examples of strategies include; 

engaging in activities that replace drinking as an outlet 

joining a club or organization, volunteering

From the wide array of options available, the important thing to remember is that you don’t have to tackle your alcohol triggers on your own. Recognizing and acknowledging your triggers in advance is a great way to begin planning how to manage them. Then, arming yourself with an alternative activity or hobby or gathering a network of social supporters can be incredibly beneficial for navigating certain situations. If you continue feeling overwhelmed by what you can’t control, seek professional help if needed. 

HGR Drug Rehabs Escondido, California Accepts Most Health Insurance and Can Help Today

HGR drug rehabs Escondido can help you today through hard work, dedication and determination. You will soon realize that it’s possible to stay safe, sober and ultimately enjoy life even with the presence of Alcohol. With that said, it’s important to remember that the decision to abstain from alcohol is ultimately up to you. Respect and value your choices, be mindful of your own triggers and practice being assertive when faced with peer pressure. Know why you are saying ‘no’ and have a plan in place for both how to respond and how to move forward. 

The more you practice this method and stick by your boundaries, the easier it will become in the long run to politely decline drinks whenever necessary when living in a world where alcohol is so accessible. With that said, be mindful of your own goals and take pride in what you are achieving! Staying sober doesn't have to be an uphill battle. With the right attitude, support and resources, anyone can learn to manage their triggers and live a successful alcohol-free life. HGR has addiction treatment centers servicing Escondido, Poway, Anaheim, Murrieta, San diego and across California. Call us now 760-697-0497 .