How To Remain In Recovery When Around Friends Who Drink

Overcoming an alcohol addiction with the support of rehabilitation treatment is a momentous occasion.

Yet, while many find themselves feeling optimistic about the future and ready to continue their recovery at home, others are overcome with worry that a long-term recovery will be unattainable, especially as they are once again surrounded by triggers including friends who drink.

Throughout alcohol rehabilitation, individuals struggling with an alcohol addiction will work with recovery staff to uncover triggers and develop coping strategies that will ultimately prevent relapses from occurring.

Although the triggers that an individual in recovery will face will entirely depend upon their personal circumstances, one of the most noteworthy triggers includes being around people, such as friends, who drink.

If this resonates with you, you may find yourself searching for tips on how to remain in recovery when around friends who drink.

Our Top Tips On How To Remain In Recovery When Around Friends Who Drink

Regardless of whether you are weeks, months or years into your recovery, being concerned about remaining in recovery when around friends who drink is entirely normal.

However, armed with our top tips on how to remain in recovery when around friends who drink, we are confident that you will be able to enjoy a social life with your friends without continually fearing that your recovery will be compromised.

If you are in recovery and find yourself searching for tips on how to remain in recovery when around friends who drink, we have outlined just a few of our top tips below.

Avoid Situations, Locations and People That Could Trigger Your Addiction

As you recover from your addiction and return to your everyday life, you are likely to find yourself invited to social events such as birthdays or gatherings.

Unfortunately, based on the triggers that you identified throughout your time in rehab, you will understand that these events may cause you to experience a relapse.  Although you will want to join your friends, you must put your recovery first if you are to remain in recovery when around friends who drink.

If you know that a specific situation, location or event may trigger your addiction, it is in your best interest to politely decline the invitation.

While you may worry that your friends will feel as though you are avoiding them, if your friends are aware that you have recently undergone addiction treatment, they will understand.

Ease Yourself Back Into Your Life At Home 

If you attended a private rehab, such as the ones that we refer individuals to, you will likely have temporarily removed yourself from your everyday life at home in order to complete an addiction recovery treatment programme.

Although you may well find yourself eager to resume your normal life post-rehab, it is imperative that you ease yourself back into life at home.  This includes giving yourself time to adjust prior to being around friends who drink.

While this may be somewhat disheartening, it will benefit you greatly.  Not only will easing yourself back into life at home ensure that you avoid any potential triggers within days or weeks of leaving rehab, but it will ensure that you have a greater chance of remaining in recovery when around friends who drink in the future.

Be Honest With Your Friends

As an individual in recovery, it is of utmost importance that you are honest and open when around friends who drink.

Although your friends will likely understand that you have struggled with an addiction and have sought treatment to ensure that you can overcome your addiction, they will probably be unaware of how you feel and the triggers you experience.

With this in mind, it is essential that you are open and honest with your friends if you are to remain in recovery.  As touched on above, if you are invited to an event but fear that you may experience triggers, discuss this with your friends.

Likewise, if you are concerned that being around alcohol will cause you to relapse, confide in your friends.  You will likely find that they want to do everything in their power to support you in your recovery.

Take Advantage Of Your Relapse Recovery Plan

Upon completing your time in rehab, you will have presumably devised a relapse recovery plan with your specialist recovery team.

In addition to outlining the support available to you post-rehab, your relapse recovery plan will highlight steps that you can take to prevent a relapse from occurring.

Should you find yourself trying to ascertain how to remain in recovery when around friends who drink, turning to your relapse recovery plan could provide you with the answers you are searching for.

For example, your recovery plan may advise that you avoid specific locations or even people in order to remain in recovery.  It may also outline how you can attend social events and be around friends who drink without compromising your sobriety.

Although you may believe that your recovery plan restricts you, following the guidance provided will ensure that you remain in recovery when around friends who drink.

What Should I Do If I Believe That A Relapse Is Imminent?

Although relapses are undesired, they are sadly common.  Within the first year of recovery, it is believed that between 40% to 60% of individuals experience a relapse.

If you have reason to believe that you are at risk of relapsing, we would highly advise that you take action and contact us as soon as possible.  In doing so, we can provide you with advice and guidance to ensure that your risk of relapse is minimised.

We can also ensure that you can take advantage of additional support, such as recovery groups, therapy or further rehabilitation treatment to support you in maintaining a long-term recovery.

Contact Action Rehab For Additional Support

Should you find yourself concerned that your recovery has been compromised, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Regardless of how long you have been in recovery for, we can help you get back on track and live an alcohol-free life.

Sources

https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/addiction-statistics

Posted on Friday, January 8th, 2021 at 10:23 am in Latest News.