Last Updated on December 10, 2019 by Valarie Ward

When it comes to alcohol, you’re either sober or you’re not. And you are either getting sober or staying sober. Whichever category best describes you, living a life with limited to no alcohol doesn’t have to be dreary or somber. In fact, you can have fun without alcohol if you know how.

Drinking is the socially acceptable norm of society. But alcohol is not to be underestimated. Although legal, it is one of the most highly addictive substance in the United States.

According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), one in every 12 adults in America suffers from alcohol abuse or dependence.

So just how can you have fun without alcohol? Let’s talk strategy first.

Get Some Confidence

One of the most common reasons people drink is to calm their nerves. Alcohol can temporarily put unwanted jitters, anxiety, and nervousness on hold. It basically provides a false sense of confidence.

But here’s the thing; fake confidence is worthless!

Alcohol doesn’t change who you are or how appealing you are to people. It just takes the edge off those scary moments of putting yourself out there.

Instead of sipping or guzzling alcohol to gain confidence, believe in yourself! Fake that confidence on your own if you have to, but do it without alcohol.

Walk up to someone. Say hello. Introduce yourself. There is no harm in reminding yourself that you don’t need alcohol to become a social guru.

Fake It

You’re at a party, an event, or the after prom party. Everyone is drinking. There isn’t a single person in the crowd who isn’t holding an alcoholic beverage. Or are they?

Did you know one of the best ways to have fun without alcohol is to fake sipping on a drink?

If you checked every drink held by someone at a social gathering, you’d be surprised how many people are holding a sprite or coke with lime, a ginger ale, or a virgin version of an alcoholic beverage.

Just because everyone is sipping on something doesn’t mean you have to walk around with your hands in your pockets. Grab a non-alcoholic beverage and fake it for social etiquette. Not only will this strategy keep you sober, but it can boost your confidence because you appear to fit in.

Relax by Realizing who’s Around You

When you’re hanging out with friends at the pub, mingling at a restaurant with a bar, or hitting the dance floor at the club, realize who is around you. Most of the people there have probably consumed some amount of alcohol, which means their senses are dulled.

In a room surrounded by relaxed people, no one is going to notice that awkward moment when you say or do the wrong thing. So relax! You don’t need to be inebriated to fit in. In all seriousness, you can just be you, character flaws and all.

Alternative to the Alcohol Scene

If you’re getting sober, the best course of action can be to avoid alcohol altogether. Going to a party, hanging out a bar, and mingling in a social setting serving alcohol can be too much of a temptation. If this describes you, then consider these alternative alcohol-free activities:

• Go for a walk, a jog, or a run.
• Enroll in a yoga class or start using at-home yoga videos via YouTube.
• Call a friend or a family member to chat.
• Pick a book and get lost inside its pages.
• Start a journal.
• If you follow a blog, write an email to the blogger and tell them how much you appreciate their content, especially if it’s helping you get or stay sober.
• Start your own personal blog and document your progress. It can help you and others!
• Take up a new hobby like photography, model car building, or painting.
• Check out a local attraction like a museum, park, or historical location.
• Venture into the world of cooking and try new recipes.
• Sit back and relax with some music or television.
• Take yourself on a bike ride.
• Visit a local coffee shop, enjoy a tasty brew, and people watch.
• Go workout at the gym.
• Go to the movies with a friend or by yourself.
• Learn something new.
• Do something that you’ve always wanted to do but couldn’t because all of your time or money went to something alcohol-related.

Just check out Facebook or Instagram you will see that moment social media management support sober life and lifestyle trends.

There are lots of things you can do to have fun without alcohol. The question is will you do them?

Removing Alcohol from Common Events

But what if you want to participate in common events? How can you remove or avoid alcohol at concerts, social gatherings, romantic evenings, and such? Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Concerts and Music: Live music events almost always serve alcohol. If you opt for a non-alcoholic beverage, you’ll blend in and find the event much more memorable. It’s also an opportunity to stay sober and see how others behave when drinking. Their actions just might fuel your want to keep alcohol out of the occasion.
• Social Gatherings: First, don’t feel pressured to drink at social gatherings. Yes, you may feel uptight and uncomfortable, but you can learn to break through these negative feelings without the use of a substance like alcohol. Imagine walking onto the scene and feeling comfortable striking up a conversation with anyone almost immediately. You can’t learn this skill if you depend on alcohol. You’ll also make smarter decisions, especially at business functions, if you’re sober.
• Romantic Evenings: Romance and wine seem to go hand-in-hand. But you don’t need alcohol to relax with that special someone. You just need a quiet setting, great food, and fun. And guess what? The less money spent on alcohol, the more money available to focus on fun and real one-on-one time!

The fact is alcohol gives a false sense of betterment. Almost every life experience can include alcohol, but it doesn’t have to because you can have even more fun without it. If you dive into events and activities without alcohol, your heightened senses will make a more memorable occasion and you’ll begin to understand who you really are.