When I first got in the program of Alcoholics Anonymous, the last thing I wanted to do was to hang out with AA people.

Don’t get me wrong – they seemed nice, but not like my other friends. There was nothing cool about them and really nothing cool about AA. The thought of socializing sober seemed impossible to me. I thought if I just went to meetings and stuck to myself, I’d stay away from alcohol and keep my sobriety.

I felt more overwhelmed at my second meeting than my first. Everyone wanted to know everything about me (or so it felt that way) and as a private person, I wasn’t comfortable with telling them my story. Some of the women would try and have small talk with me before and after meetings, inviting me out for coffee – but I just wasn’t in the mood, and coffee and cigarettes weren’t my things. This continued for about a month until my thinking became a little clearer. I realized that I wasn’t having any fun, and if I wanted to be included, I would have to change my perception on socializing sober.

I started to open up in meetings and got to know some of the women my age.

It was funny when I realized their stories were similar to mine! I wasn’t the only one who had a DUI, was born into a crazy family, and had an abusive ex-boyfriend.

For me, my perception changed by attending meetings and watching others who seemed happy. I knew I wanted happiness and knew I had to do it without alcohol – so I listened and did what they told me to do. I started hanging out with people outside of meetings and found they were super cool, really supportive, and funny…WITHOUT alcohol! And guess what? I was socializing sober before I knew it.

Socializing sober to me is about opening up and feeling the good and the bad – and I love it. Socializing sober means I don’t wake up the next morning with a horrible hangover, I clearly remember events that happened, and I don’t have to apologize for my behavior. What a gift!

I would have seriously missed the opportunity of meeting these life-long sober friends if I was still drinking.

Take it from one who socialized with Mr. Jack Daniels and Mr. Jim Beam on a regular basis for many years….. Socializing sober has never tasted so good!

If you or someone you love needs help overcoming addiction, please contact us anytime at (337) 379.7700.

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