Peer pressure from friends to drink?

Hi I have been battling with alcohol problems for years and currently off it 25 days now, I’m feeling great with a clear head and exercising regular, but lately I have some friends that keep texting to go drinking and saying live your life and come on we go for a few don’t be so boring, it can be very draining and frustrating to deal with, has anyone any advice on how to deal with these issues ?thanks

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Ya Il try that thanks :grin:

Them: “Live your life.”
You: “I am. AND I actually remember it. You should give it a try.”

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All the spare time and money that you have from not spending it on booze and hangovers, is going to become available to you, give it time, your morning’s may become more energised and your wallet fuller…

Maybe have a brainstorm about what is important in your life, what do you want to do to be fulfilled?

Maybe look up some volunteering opportunities, or consider joining a club or some fitness classes, what hobbies would you like to try out.

Through these things you can make new friends where the focus on spending time with them is not just putting money in the till at a pub. You will be tired of the old friends, drinking is not interesting

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I don’t hang out with my party friends anymore… don’t get me wrong i still love them and bump into them every now and then but for now our lives are on different paths. I would just say no thanks, I’ll catch you another time. Best wishes and congrats on 25 days man.

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Yeah this is hard. I feel like I’m going to have to stop hanging out with some people which is pretty sad, so much of my social life has revolved around drinking, so feel like I’m just going to have to try and find some new sober friends some how as I can’t keep up doing the things I was before. As for people texting you I think you just have to be clear about why you’re not drinking. If they’ve got problems with alcohol too to some degree they might not understand. But you just have to be clear with yourself. Probably seems like a drastic decision for some people, depending on how problematic your drinking has appeared to others, but for myself I know if I carry on there is only one way things will go and that’s very badly. And if they are good friends they should understand that you are making a positive change for yourself and respect that.

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Ya I joined a running group, my close friend doesn’t drink much anymore and has been very supportive, we are planning on doing a marathon in June and I got in with a good group of fitness people that do mountain hikes every weekend aswell, I’m glad that I’m Involved in it, might be something to look into a fitness or activity group, I’ve made a few new mates already from it :blush:

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That’s great your planning to do a marathon & have a friend thats supportive. I feel like I’ve lost contact with some friends I did have who didn’t drink, probably because the alcoholic me only wanted to hang out with people if it involved getting wasted. I texted one of them yesterday so hopefully we can reconnect. And yeah I was thinking of joining a netball club and learning tennis, maybe a running or walking group could also be a good shout! (Not all at once though :rofl:).

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That’s awesome that you are exploring new groups of people and activities that don’t revolve around alcohol. Good for you, friend!

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Try a meeting get new sober friends who wont say your boring wish you well

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Good morning, so I can completely relate. I live in a tropical beach town directly in prime time vacation setting where most of the locals income is from the hospitality industry. So we live where people vacation and it’s got a 24/7 spring break/ summer vacation atmosphere. So what does everyone do serve alcohol ALL day and night then consume it along with everyone as well. So my disease has flourished and festered for the past 28 years like a monster. Once I chose to quit I got the same response, plus I quit getting invited to birthdays, anniversary,weddings, office parties bbqs,group outings ect. I eventually got tired of explaining myself to everyone like pleading a case for trial under tremendous amounts of pressure… I had to distance myself to eventually spending zero time or communication with 99.9% of ALL the people I grew up knowing half of my entire city. I did get depressed and felt lonely for a minute but all the while watching the drunk pary pics and not envying them actually feeling the opposite started to pitty them. It changed I realized I’m stronger, more aware of my choices and actions. You don’t have to follow suit with what everyone else is doing. Your life is yours exactly! Who gives a flying crap what anyone in this entire world thinks. You get ONE shot at this life and only you get to choose that path. I’m proud of you ,keep coming back to this platform it’s a safe place and I’m sending positive energy and courage to stand up for yourself!

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I have this problem every weekend it just want go away, I would say this is my hardest problem to try and solve with kicking it in, I just tell them no am staying in, and be straight with them why you’re doing it, and if they don’t give you support there not really your friends.
Try telling them how you feel, if you can’t see any support for what you doing cut yourself away till your ready

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It is, perhaps, your friends who are boring as they can only have fun with alcohol. Only one way of having fun - despite the occasion or the event … “Must have alcohol” :-1:. Same drunken outcome everytime. :roll_eyes: That’s boring.
It takes courage to go out and live life for real. Without the need for alcohol to mask the truth and to make things seem like fun. When really, most are just scared that they’re boring ppl and drink to cover it up. Then feel ridiculous the next day when suffering the toxic effects that alcohol actually produces. That hangover is boring. Life without alcohol is courageous and exciting!

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