Are you a recovering alcoholic attending a party where alcohol will be served?

If you have decided to quit drinking, attending a party where alcohol is served can be unsettling. Mingling with friends and relatives who you used to drink with may tempt you to take a glass or two. A little voice inside you will even try to convince you that you can always restart the journey of sobriety the next day.

While you cannot isolate yourself from your friends and family, you will need to be strategic and exercise maximum self-control.

Come with company

Do not count on the partygoers to keep you in check because they may not understand the path you have chosen. Bring your own support system. A friend who does not drink or who can commit not to drink that day would be a great choice.

Let them know why you are tagging them along and the kind of support you need from them. They need to know if there are any rules that you have set for yourself. For example, are you okay with food cooked with alcohol? How comfortable are you talking about your progress with other people?

You also have to communicate the measures they can take to help you out. For instance, can they tell the host or caterers not to offer you alcohol?

Take non-alcoholic drinks

Most parties additionally serve non-alcoholic drinks. You can communicate with your host beforehand just to make sure.

You can also ask to bring your non-alcoholic drinks. Water is a great option but it can get boring too fast, especially if the party will last for long. Add juices and soda to your list.

One trick is to have a non-alcoholic drink that looks like an alcoholic drink. This will help you blend with other guests and ward off people who could ask you uncomfortable questions.

You can arrive late, and leave early

Most dinner parties involve drinking some alcohol during the first part of the program. If you are aware that is the program, you can time your arrival such that you get there when that part is over. Inform the host so that they don’t get worried or crossed by your lateness.

Other parties may have alcohol towards the end after other sections of the program have been concluded. In such situations, you can leave early. If there is no definite program, you can leave when people start to get noticeably drunk. In this instance too, inform the host. They might even offer you an exit so that you do not attract attention and appear disrespectful.

You decide whether you are comfortable talking about your journey

Having to answer questions about your alcohol recovering journey can be irritating and uncomfortable. It could open old wounds and hinder your progress. If you are not in the state of mind to talk about it, look for a way to dismiss those who ask. Inform them calmly but firmly. Do not sound judgmental.

It’s a long journey, you will get used to it

The first few parties you attend will be the most uncomfortable but it gets better. As your friends and relatives get used to seeing you sober and progressing well, it will become normal. The questions will reduce and the non-alcoholic beverages will become a regular inclusion in the planning.