Finding those friends is a matter of putting yourself out there. You can meet with sober friends in support groups and specific meetings for people in recovery. But friends who share interests such as yoga, hiking, or other healthy activities are also a good source of support. Focus on finding activities other than drinks that you enjoy.
Then practice developing social skills that will help you connect with other people without needing to drink alcohol to facilitate friendships. Meetup is a global site that you can use to meet new people who enjoy the same things you do. Whatever interests you, from hiking to art or history, Meetup is a great place to find like-minded people in your area to hang out with. You don't have to be athletic to participate, as they tend to adapt to a variety of running skills.
Not only will you be able to establish new connections, but you'll also enjoy the positive effects of some endorphins. Maybe it takes a certain amount of confidence to go to a show alone, but over the years I've made really good friends going alone. Life is too short to miss the bands I like just because I don't have anyone to go with. And a couple of years ago I traveled to a European festival with a couple of friends that I had met through concerts on the local independent scene.
Some of my friends also play small popular improvisations, which is great because they've met musicians of all ages. People who are just beginning their recovery usually attend one meeting every day, or even several meetings a day. The environment is often welcoming and supportive, making it one of the easiest places to make new friends. It's not often you see the words “sober” and “raves” side by side, but just like in sober bars, sober raves are taking off lately.
When you participate in a family group, you'll have the opportunity to work with others who are also sober. In addition, there are always a lot of new people coming to AA and NA who are also looking for sober friends. So if you don't want to follow the 12-step route or need something besides the support group you frequent, these latest innovations for sober, like-minded people to connect may be for you. And my desire to have more connections with like-minded people has given me friends in a sober community who have made the difference between a simple lifestyle change and a completely inspiring and empowered place that I call home.
However, specific support groups for people who are sober due to alcohol and drugs aren't the only way to make sober, like-minded friends. Dry January, Dry July and Sober October were born in the United Kingdom as public health campaigns that eliminated the stigma of drinking less or quitting smoking. Sober Outside is a travel agency that organizes mixed and women's trips for people looking for meaningful interaction while discovering a new place. These movements, such as Dry January, Sober October and many more, have served as inspiration for many new sober events.
I found that being open about my sobriety has made it much easier for me to meet new people who don't drink either. If you've left your friends and even your family sober, try some of these ways to meet sober friends. Many people use support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) to help them stay sober once out of clinical treatment.
