Choosing to stay sober when you are at a family member or a friend's house for a get-together is quite challenging. You may find yourself struggling when you know there may be alcohol. As a person in recovery, you know that at one point, you should manage how to engage with the world without drinking. But when you are out in the "real world," it can be more complicated than you thought.
In this episode, Erin Frame recounts her mini get-together with her family and how she stayed sober during that challenging situation. Today, let's discover some of the things that we should consider to protect ourselves and our sobriety and determine some of the best ways to stay sober when our family, friends, or other loved ones don't.
00:45
Erin's family enjoys drinking together. It's what they do to bond and enjoys as a family.
1:01
On the first night of their family get-together, everyone was drinking except for Erin. Being in the company of people drinking and having a glass full of wine made Erin worry about giving in to the temptation of even having a sip. Erin admits that the first night was rough for her, but it got manageable from there.
3:09
Being the only one sober in the family gathering was frustrating for Erin. But it was something that she had to do. For her, it’s all about finding a way to have a good time without having to drink alcohol.
5:05
Erin might be missing that "initial feeling" of drinking alcohol, but after all the fun, the immediate guilt of consuming too much would kick in. The majority of what alcohol did to Erin was just to numb her and made her feel exhausted.
6:14
Erin's family gathering was very successful. Now, Erin is much more confident being around her family or friends who drink, especially when they visit them, and still protects her sobriety.
The first few months of your sobriety journey are challenging. The holidays, family events, and friends’ get-together may present the toughest triggers. During your first social event, it may be difficult to believe that things will get easier. But they eventually do. You have to remind yourself about the progress you have made and what you are thankful for that have nothing to do with substance abuse. Focus on these reasons to help you stay present, manage your feelings, and protect your sobriety not just at gatherings and holidays but any time of the year.
Erin Frame hopes to inspire others struggling with alcohol use to embrace their “Sober Fierce” – to reduce the stigma surrounding the decision to stop using alcohol and to flaunt it!
Although it may seem simple, the term sobriety is somewhat controversial. It is a commonly accepted drug that is known to be addictive, yet people feel shame in admitting they got sucked into the trap – when, in fact, they should be PROUD to acknowledge and share their alcohol-free status.
Erin Frame is an outgoing everyday person sharing her own experiences with the wine witch and how she is changing her lifestyle in 2021 with a new alcohol-free outlook!
Sober Fierce is a podcast where candid conversations happen – sometimes just with Erin and sometimes with friends and/or experts in the biz. Wherever you are on your wellness journey, Reframe Your Future will provide you with tips, tools, community, support, and inspiration you'll need to help you grow and evolve.
