Entering a new life of sobriety

can be extremely rewarding, but

it’s not without its fair share of

challenges either. In addition to

staying clean, it can be difficult

trying to help friends understand

the importance of your recovery

post-treatment.

In this presentation, we will

explore some ways to take the

reins on your new life of sobriety

when it comes to maintaining

friendships.

Many people find it hard to talk about recovery, especially if friends aren’t properly educated on

what it means to be truly sober. Some friends may underestimate the disease, while others may

be in denial about battling a substance abuse problem themselves. Whatever the case, it is

important to stay true to yourself and your goals by being completely straightforward

about the situation.

Some of the most common challenges when opening up about sobriety may include feelings of

shyness, embarrassment, shame, guilt, or just plain awkwardness. Maybe you don’t want to feel

like a burden or make others feel uncomfortable. All you can do is throw these worries away and

face the conversation head-on. This is how you will find out who your true friends really are.

• Set your own personal

boundaries.

• Be prepared to let some

people go.

• Be honest.

• Share your story.

• Make your needs clear.

Oftentimes, there are some people who just “don’t get it.” No matter how hard you try to

explain your circumstances, they become dismissive or perhaps try to enable you to continue

using harmful substances. Identify who these people are, wish them well, then delete them

from your contacts. As hard as it may be to accept, these people are not your friends.

Fortunately, there are plenty of people who will offer support and be compassionate and

understanding. These are the friends you’ll want to hold on to. Just as you’re saying

goodbye to fair-weather friends, you’ll soon find yourself strengthening bonds with those

friends who really care about your health and wellbeing. Ultimately, it’s much healthier to

have a small group of strong, supportive friends than a large group of careless

acquaintances simply posing as friends.

While your supportive friends are

great to have, they may not always

have your best interests at heart,

even if their intentions are in the right

place. This is why it’s also important

to establish a network of sober

friends in addition to your existing

friends. When existing friends decide

they want to hit the club for a night of

drinking, you can call up your sober

friends and catch a movie instead.

Finding sober friends is incredibly

easy with support groups like AA and

NA. Get out there and socialize!

Just because you’re sober doesn’t mean your life has to be boring. There are plenty of

ways to have fun without drugs or alcohol involved. Replace those nights you used to

spend partying with new social activities. Some examples include joining a local sports

league, hosting a night of board games, throwing a mocktail party, taking an art therapy

class, or learning a new skill like sewing or music production.

The sky’s the limit for unleashing your true creative potential.

Throughout the process of opening up about your recovery, you may be surprised to find just

how different your old life appears in retrospect. Standing in a room full of drunk people always

seemed exciting when you were drunk, but now sober, you will see just how negative the

atmosphere can become around people under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Meanwhile,

you’ll find joy in your new hobbies and notice just how positive the environment is by

comparison. Eventually you will find that the “new you” is who you were always destined to be!

Retreat Premier Addiction Treatment Centers is dedicated to helping individuals

struggling with substance abuse problems receive expertly tailored treatment for a

successful recovery. Located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and Palm Beach

County, Florida, Retreat is here and available to help. Call our 24/7 helpline at (855) 859-

8808 or visit us online at http://retreataddictioncenters.com/.

SUMMARY

Not sure how to talk to your friends about your road to recovery? This helpful guide will walk you through the process of being open about sobriety.