Summer is in full swing, which means means friends, family, barbecues and booze! Whether it’s a holiday, a casual get together, or a throw down with all of your closest people— summer celebrations come in all shapes and sizes. However, most all shapes and sizes comes with a cold one. But if you’re getting sober, or even trying to stay sober, it can be hard to get through these kinds of events. But, we’re here to help.
Summer Celebrations: Staying Sober
Keep Your Thoughts in Check
Celebrating the summer without drinking isn’t a bad thing. People do it all the time: whether they’re recovering, underage, or just don’t like the taste of alcohol. Try to remember that this is an important step you’re making in your life. Choosing to go out and commit to your sobriety shows just how strong you are. However, you may forget that throughout the night. If you do, keep reminding yourself that summer celebrations are about more than drinking. They’re about friends, family, good times, and remembering it all the next day.
Plan for What You Can Handle
We all love our friends and family, but we also know that some of them can be a little over-the-top or even just pushy when it comes to drinking. When you’re making plans for summer celebrations, take into account what you can handle. There’s no shame in avoiding an environment where you have to say ‘no’ one too many times. No one is saying to stay in. Merely, plan accordingly when it comes to your new boundaries.
Pushy People
As we began to explain earlier, pushy people are everywhere. No matter where you go, there’s always someone saying “come on… just take one shot with me.“ Even when you take the more mild approach to summer celebrations, there might just be that one pushy person in the crowd. It’s up to you on how you handle this situation and what you say. Your sobriety is your business to handle as you see fit.
Have an Escape Route Ready
If the summer celebrations you had in mind end up being too much, you don’t have to stay there. You are free to leave anytime you want. With that in mind, come up with an exit plan before you arrive! This can include what to say to people when you want to leave and boundaries you don’t want crossed.
In addition, make sure you always know where your keys and wallet are for a swift exit. Remember: leave when you feel you must! If all else fails, coming up with a good exit plan will ensure you have a sober July 4th.
The Fourth of July is a stressful holiday for a lot of people. Some people have to wonder what food and drinks to buy for guests. Other people have the goal of a sober July 4th. If this is your goal, it’s such a good one to have and you can reach it! Remember: choose which party is best for you, know what to say to push people and leave when you want.