images

02 DEC 2022

How to Have Fun at the Party Without Drinking

There are many reasons people decide to give up, or never drink alcohol at all, be it for their physical health, mental health, or overall well-being. In today’s society, we live in a world where party culture tends to revolve around sitting around and binge drinking as much as possible. For those choosing to remain sober, they may worry about feelings of isolation and awkwardness when attending an event where it seems like everyone will be under the influence but them. These fears don’t have to exist, for there are countless ways to ensure that your time spent with your friends is enjoyed without picking up a drink!

Bring along alcohol substitutes

A fantastic way to still get into the spirit of attending a special event without indulging in alcohol is by creating your own alcohol-free playoffs of cocktails! Mocktails are essentially a combination of everything in a cocktail, juice, soda, or fruit, minus the alcohol. Mocktails can be made to replicate any of your favorite drinks, such as mimosas, margaritas, sangria, and daiquiris. Preparing mocktails for the occasion and bringing them with you will keep you included as everyone has a drink in hand. There are countless recipes available to construct the perfect alcohol-free cocktail for you!

Invite a sober friend to accompany you

Every event is automatically more fun when you have a friend there in the same mindset as you to keep you company! Invite one of your friends to join you for your sober night out, guaranteeing lots of good people watching and the ability to fully remember any funny moments that may occur. You’ll also have a guaranteed friend to hang out with in case the rest of the crowd seems to be getting a little rowdy. If you choose the right friend to invite, neither of you will need to drink to enjoy yourselves!

Hit the snack tables

Everyone knows what really makes a party is the all you can eat delicious buffet of snacks. Whether you’re drinking or not, snacking is never a bad idea. Hitting the food tables is also a great way to progress the night and keep yourself occupied if you are looking for ways to keep yourself busy! If you’re worried snacks may not be included in the night's plans, go ahead and bring your own! You’ll thank yourself, and will likely draw a crowd of hungry party-goers to converse with.

Break out a game

An excellent tip for shifting the focus of the party away from drinking is by suggesting a fun game for everyone to play. Depending on your circle of friends, games may or may not be a part of your regular get-togethers, which can bring a new exciting element to your parties. Everyone is likely to want to participate, and those who have been drinking will make the game even more entertaining! There are tons of fun portable games that have become big hits lately, such as Cards Against Humanity, or What Do You Meme. There are also countless fun games that don’t require any preparation, like a game of would you rather, never have I ever, or truth or dare. If the other party goers are playing drinking games, you can play as well, as long as you have someone to hand over your drinking responsibilities to. You’ll probably amaze everyone with your on point hand-eye coordination that isn't impaired by drinking.

Entertain yourself

When it comes down to it, there’s always something exciting going on at a party, whether that be dancing, singing, or stimulating conversations being had. You don’t have to be under the influence to hit the dance floor and enjoy yourself! If there is a DJ present, request your favorite songs be played to continue elevating the mood. If a DJ is needed, take this role upon yourself and bring some more light to the event! Don’t be afraid to go up to people you don't know and start a conversation! If you don’t feel up to talking all night, even just sitting back and watching the scene can be very entertaining! Watching people who are drinking attempt to handle themselves is very amusing and eye-opening when you are sober.

You don’t need alcohol to have fun!

Don’t let your sobriety get in the way of you going out with your friends and making fun memories, that you will fully remember! Plus, after you get home from the party, you will be able to sleep soundly and wake up feeling refreshed. While alcohol may be a way to amplify the fun, it isn’t the only way to have fun and is most definitely not needed for a great night. If you’re the one planning the party perhaps coming up with a theme that everyone can participate in would be a fun way to grow the excitement. There are endless ways to have a spectacular time with your friends while staying sober.


About the Author

Matthew Boyle is the Chief Operating Officer of Landmark Recovery, a drug and alcohol recovery center. He has been working in the healthcare space for 7 years with a new emphasis on recovery. Before his ventures into healthcare, Matthew graduated from Duke University in 2011 Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree. After Duke Matthew went on to work for the Boston Consulting Group before he realized his true passion lies within Recovery. His vision is to save a million lives in 100 years with a unique approach to recovery that creates a supportive environment through trust, treatment, and intervention.


COMMENTS