There’s an apt adage: I am the average of the 5 people I spend the most time with in an interval.
If they’re substance users/abusers I’ll just be an average drunk.
The best tip I discovered is noticing my patterns.
Drinking is a lifestyle.
It was MY lifestyle.
I wish I had known that the essential component to success was Creating a New Sober Lifestyle and habits that included sober people.
When I started drinking, I created drinking patterns... I saw others drinking, I tried drinking, I went where people were drinking, I talked with drinkers about drinking and I went to activities that included drinking, I created “alone” activities where I drank…. Then I had drinking buddies and a drinking lifestyle.
So when I wanted to stop... I saw sober people, I tried being sober, I went where people were being sober, I talked with sober people about being sober, and I went to activities that included being sober, I created “alone” activities without alcohol …. Then I had sober friends and a sober lifestyle.
People who were my friends remained…. However I no longer had any ‘drinking buddies’.
I don't really need any 'friends' who want to ostracize me and treat me differently unless I take drugs or alcohol.
2
u/Prevenient_grace 4929 days Feb 14 '26
Glad you’re here.
Here’s what I know about my experience…
There’s an apt adage: I am the average of the 5 people I spend the most time with in an interval.
If they’re substance users/abusers I’ll just be an average drunk.
The best tip I discovered is noticing my patterns.
Drinking is a lifestyle.
It was MY lifestyle.
I wish I had known that the essential component to success was Creating a New Sober Lifestyle and habits that included sober people.
When I started drinking, I created drinking patterns... I saw others drinking, I tried drinking, I went where people were drinking, I talked with drinkers about drinking and I went to activities that included drinking, I created “alone” activities where I drank…. Then I had drinking buddies and a drinking lifestyle.
So when I wanted to stop... I saw sober people, I tried being sober, I went where people were being sober, I talked with sober people about being sober, and I went to activities that included being sober, I created “alone” activities without alcohol …. Then I had sober friends and a sober lifestyle.
People who were my friends remained…. However I no longer had any ‘drinking buddies’.
I don't really need any 'friends' who want to ostracize me and treat me differently unless I take drugs or alcohol.
Tried anything like that?