You have done the difficult work of seeking and completing treatment. Although completion of treatment is exciting, it is also understandably scary as you reenter society and rebuild your social life. Challenges with alcohol misuse can also make reentering social life feel overwhelming and impossible.
Alcohol has played a central role in the lives of countless people across the world since some of the earliest civilizations on the planet. Thus, alcohol consumption, misuse, and abuse is a complex topic. Unlike illicit substances like cocaine and heroin, alcohol is a legal substance that, for many, is a normal part of their social life. As the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) notes, 2.2 million people 12 years and older have alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Yet, only 7.6% of people with AUD receive treatment, which can highlight alcohol use as a spectrum of misuse. The consequences of alcohol misuse are not relegated only to individuals with dependence or AUD. Rather, most people who misuse alcohol account for the majority of alcohol-related disability and death. Thus, addressing the cultural and social life aspects of alcohol consumption is valuable for understanding overconsumption, dependence, and AUD.
At Driftwood Recovery, we recognize that living a life in recovery means being reintegrated into the community. Through a community-driven approach, we are dedicated to helping you reintegrate into society. With a vibrant, sober community, you can find the service, accountability, and encouragement needed to rebuild your social life without alcohol. Our peer-driven network provides mutually supportive attachment with others to give you the tools you need to reintegrate into everyday life.
Yet, it may feel difficult for you to imagine building a social life without alcohol. By expanding your understanding of drinking culture, you can dismantle alcohol’s influence.
Understanding Drinking Culture
Most alcohol research is focused on risk factors and the impact of individual experiences on addiction. However, understanding the cultural elements of alcohol can support sustained recovery. Cultural norms and practices found in society typically intersect with health and psychological wellness. Moreover, the way you experience and perceive culture greatly influences how you see yourself, others, and the world.
Thus, understanding culture can provide insight into the significance of culture in society and social life. According to the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, culture typically consists of a schema of beliefs, practices, values, and other worldviews that are maintained by a cultural group or society, which is preserved and transmitted across generations. For alcohol, drinking culture and social life are deeply interconnected, especially in pop culture:
- Movies
- Television
- Music
- Social media
Moreover, many of the social influences of alcohol in pop culture spill over into other cultural influences. Additional influences on drinking culture and social life can include community norms, racial and ethnic discrimination, family and peer drinking behaviors, and college social life. Thus, drinking culture can have a fundamental impact on how you engage in social life.
The Impact of Drinking Culture on Social Life
There are countless examples in pop culture that glorify binge drinking and alcohol as a coping tool. Although pop culture can have a significant influence on how you perceive alcohol, interactions with family, friends, and other aspects of social life can be particularly influential. Many of your social life experiences from adolescence to adulthood have likely been influenced by the socialization of alcohol.
Overconsumption of alcohol can be seen across countless social life events like college parties, young dating culture, sporting events, holiday parties, and bar Happy hours with co-workers. The prevalence of drinking culture in every major segment of life speaks to the far-reaching influence of alcohol on social life. Further, many of the elements of drinking culture found in social life are tied to social connection.
Importance of Social Connections for Sobriety
Addiction and early recovery are often plagued by self-isolation and loneliness. A loss of social connection can be detrimental to your well-being and increase your risk for relapse. Thus, building a social life in sobriety can not only support relapse prevention but also improve your well-being. Some of the ways social connection through a social life can support your health and well-being include:
- Foster a sense of belonging
- Improve self-esteem
- Increase motivation
- Raise quality of life
While addiction to your previous social life may have fractured your social connection, support in sobriety can help you reclaim the joys of social life.
Ways to Support a Social Life Without Alcohol
Building a fun, happy, and meaningful social life does not require alcohol. Yet, how do you combat cultural norms that most people subscribe to? Through a vibrant alumni program, you can uncover a fulfilling social life without alcohol. Some of the ways you can engage in a sober social life include:
- Setting clear boundaries with others
- Hangout with friends at places other than bars and clubs
- Cafe
- Movie theater
- Museum
- Library
- Art gallery
- Joining a club or group
- Book club
- Take a class
- Yoga
- Pottery
- Join a sports league
- Volleyball
- Basketball
- Flag football
- Volunteer
- Attend sober events
There are a wide variety of sober places and activities you can engage in with old and new friends. Although it can feel daunting to socialize without alcohol, an alumni program can give you the support you need to step into your new sober life confidently.
Fostering a Sober Social Life at Driftwood Recovery
At Driftwood Recovery, we believe a strong and vibrant alumni program can give you the support and resources you need to thrive in recovery. Through a peer-driven network, you can find a sober community where connection is at the heart of the community. Together, you can foster fellowship and fun in sobriety with shared experiences and a commitment to accountability, service, and encouragement. We are dedicated to helping you reintegrate and build a new sober life, whether it is weekly meetings and activities or in-house AA meetings, there is a community for you.