How to Have Fun Without Drinking Alcohol

If you are a recovering addict or alcoholic, you may feel that it is difficult if not impossible to have fun without drinking alcohol. However people can have a perfectly good time and enjoy social situations without drinking alcohol. Every single day families and groups of friends have great fun without a drop of alcohol.

Find places in your area where other people have fun without drinking alcohol and avoid places where you know there will be alcohol. Water parks, beaches and public parks, community events, movie theaters and civic theaters are all drug and alcohol-free environments. Seek out these places, and seek out friends who won’t or don’t drink. They can help you stay sober by example and by holding you accountable.

Good old-fashioned conversation is highly satisfying and usually includes lots of good stories, funny anecdotes and jokes. Get with friends, have a meal and stay to talk about the good old times. Find a friend or group of friends to engage in a physical activity with. Take up yoga, cycling, jogging or join a group that not only exercises but also socializes together. Find a hobby. If possible find a group through an AA program in your area that is devoted to not drinking, perhaps is even made up of members who have been through rehab. If you are going out on the town with friends, be the proactive person who volunteers to be the designated driver. Don’t wait for others to direct the group to situations that might compromise you. Make positive suggestions about how and where to spend time together. How to have fun without drinking alcohol includes but is not limited to:

• going to the movies or even better renting a movie at Blockbuster or Redbox (in most Wal-Mart stores)…
• getting some exercise by roller blading, biking, walking, hiking, skiing, playing basketball, football, volleyball, tennis…
• working on a house project like gardening, painting or redecorating…
• hanging out with your friends at the mall, beach, park, skating ring, or at home…
• doing everyday things like enjoying vacations, reading a book, playing your guitar, writing a song, planning and celebrating birthdays, get togethers, picnics, anniversaries…

and the list goes on and on.

Most of the time recovering alcoholics and addicts end up finding that they inherently know how to have fun without drinking alcohol. This is one of the many gifts of working a 12-step program and finding a fellowship around you. Also if you happen to be in the Delray Beach, FL area you are in luck because this is the recovery capital of the world. This means that there are plenty of people around and things to do to show you how to have fun without drinking alcohol.

Anyone can have fun without drinking alcohol doing pretty much anything its really just a mindset and the ability to link other activities with pleasure instead of drinking alcohol. Most of the time alcoholics and addicts will find that they have more fun without drinking alcohol then they did when they were drinking. Without drinking alcohol there is no risk of a hangover, blackout, jails, consequences etc. Its good, clean fun and its much more carefree.

If you or someone you know wants to learn how to have fun without drinking alcohol please don’t hesitate to call 877-711-HOPE(4673) or go to www.palmpartners.com now to speak with an addiction specialist.

What is a Relapse? And Should I Go Back to Treatment if I Have One?

What is a Relapse? And Should I Go Back to Treatment if I Have One?

By: Rhea Rosier, Palm Partners Recovery Center

December 27th, 2011

In recovery there is always a chance for what is called a relapse. A relapse in recovery means that a person has been clean or has stopped using drugs and alcohol for a certain amount of time and then begins drinking or using again.  Relapses are scary and are one of the hardest things to deal with and face within recovery. Relapses are filled with guilt and shame. Alot of the times the person who begins using drugs or alcohol again doesn’t know why it has happened. Even someone who really wanted to stay sober can relapse and at the end up be hitting their head against the wall, saying over and over again, “why?, why?, why?”. This is a reality for anyone with the disease of alcoholism or addiction. Relapse doesn’t have to be a part of anyone’s journey getting sober but it can happen and it is always best to know what to do if it does.

The main thing to do if you or your loved one relapses is to get them straight back into treatment. Going back to treatment if you or your loved one has a relapse may seem counter productive or even futile in the light that they just went to treatment and now have begun  using again. The reason you or your loved one should once again attend treatment is because when a relapse happens it is unknown when that person will stop. Relapses are scary in the sense that it’s during this time overdoses are more likely to happen and with progression of this disease relapses always get worse never better.

Going back to treatment if a relapse happens is not only the safest option but it is also the smartest option. Recovery is a journey and just because a relapse happens doesn’t mean a person will never get the gift of a lifetime of sobriety. So it would make sense to never give up on the option of learning something you may have missed at treatment the first time. Going back to treatment after a relapse is something many addicts and alcoholics do. Sometimes these addicts and alcoholics who go back to treatment after a relapse end up getting it and stay sober for the rest of their life. We never know what the journey of recovery may hold and for some people it holds one or more relapses.

If you or someone you know has relapsed and needs to go back to treatment please dont hesitate to call: 877-711-HOPE(4673) or go to www.palmpartners.com

A CLIENT ASKS??

Do I have to go to those meetings–FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE!!??

SINCE this is from a fellow ALUMNI–How would you respond? –what is your feelings and BELIEFS? DO you have any concerns for this ALUMNI regarding their thoughts and ATTITUDES?–you will hear my views after I first HEAR from you regarding YOUR KNOWLEDGE and EXPERIENCE WITH this issue.