Planning your first sober party can seem a bit daunting. After all, many of us associate partying with alcohol and drug consumption so it’s only natural that you may feel a bit nervous. Although it may seem overwhelming at first, organizing a sober party can be a lot of fun and your friends are likely to enjoy it just as much or more than events involving substances.
Be Clear about Your Expectations
It’s important to be perfectly clear with your friends and everyone you invite. Tell them that you intend to host a sober party and you’re not okay with substance use during the event. You may also choose to tell them that they need to be fully sober when they arrive as you don’t want anyone to be intoxicated, even if they don’t drink or use at the event itself. Make sure to point out that these rules fully apply to anyone else they may choose to bring along.
Not everyone is okay with firm ground rules like this, so you might face some pushback. Some of your guests may try to bargain or argue with your decision. If that’s the case, please remember that you don’t need to defend yourself — simply restate your sobriety rule. Let them know that you’d love to see them at the event but accept their answer if they refuse to come. Being this direct can feel strange at first and you may even worry about appearing rude or uncompromising. However, there’s nothing wrong with having firm boundaries, especially when it comes to your recovery. You’re fully within your right to expect your friends to respect your journey to sobriety and refrain from consuming alcohol or other substances at your party.
The Fun Part
Now that you’ve got your serious conversations out of the way, you’re going to have a much easier time enjoying the preparation stage. Although there won’t be any alcohol, you may still opt for some fun beverages. For example, try making mocktails or buy some soda you’ve never tried. You may also opt to make food the star of the event, so maybe experiment with new flavors or offer a lot of options. Most importantly, consider what kinds of activities you may enjoy doing during the party. The best option, of course, is to take account of the interests of your guests and try to appeal to them as much as possible. If you’re not so sure where to start, try out some party games, or choose some fun music to dance to just to break the ice. Soon everyone will be having a great time — after all, the most important part of a party is the people who attend.
About Baystate Recovery Center
If you’re looking to start your journey to recovery, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Baystate Recovery Center. We offer science-based treatment plans which we tailor to the unique requirements of each patient. Whether you’re looking to enter a specific problem or you’re simply interested in getting a better idea of your options, our helpful team members will be more than happy to talk you through the options we offer. Simply give us a call or use the contact form on our website to get in touch now!
Baystate Recovery Center, a clinically Infused 12-Step Treatment Center for Drug and Alcohol Addiction, was founded by two partners in addiction treatment services, John Checchi and Michael Wilson.
