Many people avoid getting the help they need for alcohol use disorder (AUD) because they worry that they will not be able to enjoy life the same way after they get sober. The reality could not be farther from the truth. Life will become so much more enjoyable once the weight of addiction has been lifted. This includes the opportunities to attend social situations, even when alcohol is present.
The Prevalence of Alcohol Use Disorder
AUD is one of the most prevalent addiction issues in the world. According to the peer-reviewed journal, Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, “An estimated 76.3 million people worldwide have alcohol use disorders (AUDs), and these account for 1.8 million deaths each year. It is estimated that up to 42% of patients admitted to general hospitals, and one‐third of patients admitted to hospital intensive care units (ICU) have AUD.”
Unfortunately, many of these people avoid getting the help they need because they fear the changes that they may face in a life of sobriety. These, of course, are not the actions of the individual. It is instead the insidious nature of the disease of AUD. Part of the nature of addiction is to keep people from getting the help they need. This is true even in the face of all of the negative signs and symptoms that one faces with AUD.
The Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder
The signs and symptoms of AUD can be vast and varied, and damaging and dangerous. The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms:
- Isolating away from family and friends
- Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
- Troubles with sleep, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough
- Negative changes in appetite
- Not being able to stop drinking after starting
- Physical ailments like unexplained muscle and joint pain
- Trouble at school or at work
- Feelings of anxiety and/or depression
- Engaging in risky behaviors
- Experiencing cognitive difficulties like short-term memory loss
- Having suicidal ideations
Another tell-tale sign of AUD is avoiding situations that may interrupt one’s ability to drink or situations that may expose one’s issues with alcohol. This is the type of “social prison” that AUD can put someone in. The good news is that this no longer needs to be the case.
When Will I Know I Am Ready to Attend Social Situations That Have Alcohol Present?
When preparing to attend social situations that have alcohol present, it is important to feel comfortable in one’s own recovery. This often has to do with the way one feels around what are referred to as “people, places, and things.” These are the primary triggering points that may cause someone to crave drinking (and using).
The reality is that one may not know if they are ready to attend social situations with alcohol present until they try it. If they are comfortable then they will know that they can handle it. If they are uncomfortable, they need to make sure that they have the right recovery tools in place so it doesn’t lead to a relapse.
Utilizing Recovery Tools to Attend Social Situations Safely
The best recovery tool that one can utilize as they begin to navigate their day-to-day lives is other people in recovery. In fact, working with others is considered by many to be one of the most important parts of recovery; there is even a chapter dedicated to it in the primary text of 12-Step recovery (most commonly referred to as the Big Book).
The Big Book states, “Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics. It works when other activities fail… You can help when no one else can.” Other people in recovery are those who can best be relied upon to help in triggering social situations where alcohol is present.
Of course, simply working with others is not a cure-all. One has to continue to do work in order to maintain a healthy long-term recovery that allows one to safely attend any social event (alcohol or not). This may include continued therapy like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or experiential therapy like horticulture or surf therapy. It may also include continued holistic measures like yoga and mindfulness meditation. These can help one remain spiritually fit to do anything one wants in recovery.
Our Primary Purpose at Lantana Recovery
Here at Lantana Recovery, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” This is why we only offer effective individualized and comprehensive recovery plans that include a healthy focus on the future.
William Shakespeare famously wrote, “We know what we are, but know not what we may be.” In recovery, we can be the person we always dreamed of becoming. That person is out there waiting. The key is to go out and find them.
Making smart choices in sobriety is critically important. Yes, sober people can certainly attend social situations that have alcohol present, but they must be in “fit” recovery condition. Otherwise, these types of situations could ultimately lead to a relapse. The good news is there are many tools, tips, and techniques to maintain healthy sobriety in any situation. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or comorbidities, we can help get you on the right road to recovery right away. You don’t have to do this alone. For more information about long-term sobriety, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.
