Once he locks onto you (we are still trying to figure out what triggers him), he will quickly and relentlessly violate anyone’s definition of personal space. Someone can be a bit standoffish, but manage to be prickly, critical, and self-aggrandizing when sober. Recovery Connection is the ultimate addiction recovery resource portal for information on the latest treatments, centers, and programs. Whether you’re looking for treatment or for aftercare options, we can point you in the right direction. If you feel like sobriety sucks, you need more support. You can find the balance in recovery you need.

I am very happy and grateful to be two years sober, but I wish I’d known then, what I know now. It means continually checking in with yourself, continually reaching out to new people who may have ideas you haven’t tried before, and continually asking questions that will help you improve your life. Even if you are making one small choice to improve how you feel each day, like working out more or eating better, track it.

When being sober sucks

There’s no easy pass for me anymore, no more getting drunk and slipping past the part where you get to know each other. There’s no more not caring if they see your cellulite or whatever you’re hiding under there; and you will, once and for all, discover that sex is never like in the movies. It is an awkward, vulnerable dance between two awkward, vulnerable humans. It’s part of the sobriety package, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Sobriety can be an incredible way to shed relationships you’ve outgrown as well as find new ones that align with your new values. If you or someone you know experiences mental health issues, it is important to seek help from a qualified professional.

Your feelings will look different in a day, a week, a month, and a year, so look to the future with optimism. From being outside sweaty, running around and playing with bugs in the mud, to laughing at farts (I still do that) and wrestling with your friends. There is such a calm presence with children because they haven’t yet been mentally affected by themselves. They don’t worry about paying bills, providing for anyone, or how their stocks are doing. A topic that is not often mentioned is the potential downsides of quitting drinking alcohol.

You never know when an overserved person will trap you in conversation.

They can feel overwhelming and like they will never end. When you feel better, your mood is elevated, you’re more likely to ignore the little annoyances, and you’re less likely to feel like a relapse is your only way out of any uncomfortable situations that may arise. Anything you can do to improve your overall health and wellness will serve double duty and improve your ability to stay sober. The other people next to you at group therapy sessions and support group meetings all have experiences that can help you. They want to be there for you when you are struggling.

Restaurants and bars, both in the U.S. and around the world, are starting to catch on to sober and sober-curious customers. In fact, in 2024, 61 percent of Gen Z said they planned to reduce their alcohol intake, compared with 40 percent in 2023, according to a survey by NCSolutions. In the same survey, nearly half of millennials said they planned to drink less being sober sucks in 2024, a 26 percent increase from last year. Thankfully, there have only been a few times when someone at the table hasn’t pointed it out on my behalf and adjusted accordingly. However, when it has happened, I have to speak up to point out that I didn’t drink and I’m not subsidizing their drinking. If you’re like me, this can feel entirely terrifying.

(NOT DRUNK)

However, I am the only person sober enough to see it. Due to my condition I have on countless occasions been the only sober person in the entire, bar, house, street, boat, truck bed, swimming pool, etc. My unique position has afforded me a rare glimpse into the behavioral patterns of the plastered, plowed, tipsy, smashed, buzzed, blottoed, and otherwise inebriated. Here are 15 things I have learned by being the only sober person around. As with most problems, the solution is as difficult or as simple as we make it. Sometimes, consider how your behavior has affected others.

• Spending sober time becoming familiar with your body intimately can help you better communicate your needs to someone else when you feel ready for that step.
• I have since learned I am not alone in experiencing this phenomenon.
• It might sound counter-intuitive, but drinking or using drugs really isn’t that much fun.
• It’s hard to overstate the importance of good sleep.

I know because there’s always some drunk friend that says it any time she’s had a couple of margaritas. However, I am the only person that ever remembers she said it. After a few drinks, all my best friend wants to do is give hugs and cuddle—doesn’t much matter who.

Drunks make people feel awkward.

McPhillips said that he relies on Frontier Airlines’ all-you-can-fly GoWild pass for a lot of his personal travel, which lets him get very cheap last-minute flights. She often connects with fellow young travelers at the hostel and joins them on excursions or doesn’t venture out alone at night, so she rarely feels unsafe, she said. More younger women are also looking to venture out on their own. Over half of the surveyed women said they are interested in solo travel, with 83% of them inspired by female content creators who travel solo. Those who want to jet-set alone say it’s to get out of their comfort, for self-discovery and enjoy a sense of freedom.