Many people who get sober worry about what life will be like now that they don’t drink or use. This is only natural. After all, for many of us, most of our lives had centered around our active addiction. The good news is that life in sobriety is a life that can be lived to its fullest potential. However, one does need to be cautious because relapses can come on suddenly and seemingly without warning. This is why sober safety is so important, especially during the summer party season.
Sober Safety in Summer Party Season
There is little doubt that the 21st century (as with all that came before it) is saturated in alcohol and substances. The reality is that alcohol is legal and a multi-billion-dollar industry, so it is no wonder that it permeates the social landscape. This is especially true over the summer party season.
The good news is that the support of excessive alcohol use appears to be waning. This is evident in the trends that are now happening on social media, where “sober cool” is quickly becoming the new norm. Healthy lifestyles that include sobriety are becoming much more acceptable. This makes sober safety in the summer party season much more accessible.
The key to sober safety is to be aware of both internal emotions and external surroundings. This is how one can avoid a potential relapse due to a party atmosphere. Being honest with how one feels inside, as well as how safe the environment is, is crucial. It is also equally important who we surround ourselves with.
Sober Safety in Big Groups
Having the support of peers is critical for long-term recovery. This also makes the recovery journey much more fun and exciting. After all, sobriety is meant to be a shared experience, not something we shield selfishly. Now, there are many places where one can make sober acquaintances.
Many people make sober connections while in treatment. This often happens during group therapy sessions or when spending time in group activities, such as engaging in nature immersion therapy. These types of nature-based therapies are also great ways to spend safe and sober time outdoors during the summer months.
It is also important to build up one’s “sober network” because this is the group of people that can be relied upon when times get tough. The greater our support network, the greater our chances of staying sober. This is especially true over the holidays (and not just the summer ones).
Sober Safety Over the Holidays
There is little doubt that the holidays are trying times for many people. There are often many emotions tied up in the holidays due to past traumas. These emotions are often brought to the surface whenever that specific holiday comes around. For a long time, many of us drank and used to suppress these feelings, but we don’t have to do that anymore. We have a solution.
Part of that solution is having healthy sober references. This means that we replace our traumatic holiday experiences with new, fun, and healthy ones. For example, the 4th of July can now be spent enjoying the company of others rather than in the backseat of a police cruiser or unwell in a bathroom.
It is also important to make holiday plans in sobriety rather than just letting the plans come to you. This way, you control the narrative and the guest list. If you struggle to be around alcohol and substances, you can throw your own summer party, and you can ensure that it is recovery-friendly. A great place to make a happy and healthy guest list is in 12-Step recovery.
Safe Sobriety and 12-Step Recovery
The Twelve Steps are revolutionary moves that one can make to ensure that they experience a healthy, long-term recovery. These Twelve Steps can help you to reengage with life and reconnect with loved ones.
These Steps can also help you connect to a Higher Power of your own understanding, which is what can be relied upon when times get tough. You don’t have to do this alone; you can have a Higher Power carry the tougher portion of the load for you.
Being part of a 12-Step recovery community also means that you are part of other people’s sober networks. This means that you will certainly be going to more sober events as more people in the 12-Step program begin to throw them. A sober summer party is a great way to have fun and remind yourself that you made the right choice to recover.
The Importance of Sober Safety and Long-Term Success at Lantana Recovery
Here at Lantana Recovery, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” This is why we focus on sober safety and comprehensive recovery.
If you are ready to make a change, there is no time like the present. You can recover! We can help.
With the summer in full swing, it can be important to have boundaries set in place to avoid a potential relapse. It is critical to know and set those boundaries, as well as how to have fun with other people in and out of recovery over the summer. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, mental illness, or both, we can help get you on the right road to recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about the importance of making sober plans over the summer, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.
