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17 Sober Birthday Party Ideas That Feel Very Grown Up

But, more importantly, a sober party is an excellent place to remind everyone that they are not alone, talk about relapse prevention plans, and similar. The main reason why recovery fellowships and similar support groups see great progress is due to the fact that everyone shares in the group’s successes and failures. And there’s the fact that your friends from rehab are the ones Sober House Rules: A Comprehensive Overview that will appreciate your success story the most. The fact of the matter is that recovery is not just about not drinking alcohol. It is also about forming new habits, adopting a new lifestyle, and changing your way of thinking.

How to Party Sober? Tips and Tricks for a Fun and Safe Night Out

Plan fun activities or party games at your sober party based on your guest list. Adult party games can be just as fun without alcohol, but make sure to clarify the rules with a large group. Engaging in these activities can stimulate the brain in a more significant way without the effects of alcohol. When planning a sober party, aim to make it distinct from a typical alcohol-infused one by choosing fun activities that don’t just remind you or your guests of a drunken night. Hosting a sober party is a great way to ensure that you’ll have a fun and safe time.

sober party

Fortunately, certain apps like Ria Health can help you achieve your alcohol use goals, whether you’re trying to cut back or stay sober altogether. When you sign up with Ria, you’ll gain access to a wide spectrum of evidence-based support—including recovery coaching, anti-craving prescriptions, and more—all from your smartphone. Grab a seltzer, soda, or mocktail and carry it around with you throughout the duration of the party.

Offer Delicious Mocktails

It’s an opportunity to acknowledge the difficulties you’ve faced, the lessons you’ve learned, and the level of personal development you’ve attained. Attending a party while you’re in addiction recovery can be a challenge, let alone hosting your own party. These tips will help you overcome your fears and throw an unforgettable party without jeopardizing your recovery.

Be the friendly one

  • It is easier to stay calm and peaceful in a more serene environment.
  • Mix up the party backdrop by having it at an unexpected place.
  • Need convincing that people drink less during the daytime?
  • That’s okay because soda, juice, seltzer water, and just plain water are totally acceptable drinks at a party.
  • If you are newly sober, you are probably starting to enjoy conversations.

In this article, we will give you ten amazing tips on how to throw a sober party you and your friends won’t forget. If you’re throwing a sober birthday party for a sober friend in alcohol recovery, it’s that much more important to make sure they’re getting the party they’re expecting. For instance, a sober birthday means that everyone is abstaining from alcohol, not just the birthday boy or girl. It’s sometimes a good idea to remind yourself why you’re at a party and putting yourself in the situation of being around a lot of people drinking and getting messed up. It’s absolutely not because you’re there to drink or use.

  • If pouring back the shots isn’t how you’d prefer to celebrate your special occasion, however, that doesn’t mean you’re missing out on any birthday fun.
  • If that shit starts up, bounce to another area of the party.
  • Read on for more on how to have fun at parties without alcohol.
  • This is the biggest key to hosting a Sober Party– don’t make the lack of alcohol the focus of the celebration.
  • You can suit up with your other party-goers and split into teams, or play „every person for themself“ style.
  • You don’t have to go outdoors literally, but it does help to get out of the house.

Tips for Throwing a Sober Party

sober party

Gallup polling found that the share of 18- to 34-year-olds who drink alcoholic beverages has tumbled to a record low. Having a drink in your hands is a wonderful disguise—who knows what’s in there? Plus it gets ahead of anyone asking if you want a drink, or if you’re not drinking. Knowing what you now know about yourself around addiction, you can live and let live today, and hang out away from drug use at the party.

  • For people in recovery, a mocktail party is a great way to emphasize their creativity and figure out new and interesting mocktail recipes.
  • So, relax, have fun, and don’t hesitate to laugh about your inebriated friends’ antics.
  • So go with whatever works best for you—just decide on your answer before you leave the house to avoid feeling put on the spot and/or freezing in the moment.
  • You don’t want anyone known for peer pressuring others to drink at a sober party.
  • This is a new era in your life filled with light and promise.

For example, you can play a “two truths and a lie” game, where you pair two people and have one of them state three facts about themselves. The partner then needs to figure out which two are true and which is the lie. This simple icebreaker game is bound to spark bursts of laughter, something that you simply can’t get enough of. Furthermore, you will avoid any peer pressure issues by not having people who will “lobby” for a drink. In fact, you might want to limit your party to people that are in recovery, or people that are attending one of the intensive outpatient programs Florida has on offer. It might seem a bit cruel not to include all the people that you want but it is a sober party after all.

If old running buddies’ drinking or using drugs around you is triggering, avoid hitting parties with them for a while. Taking a class can be a way to bond, laugh, and let loose with your closest friends. Consider spending a night with a dance instructor, taking an art class, or killing it at a cooking course to take your birthday celebration to the next level. You don’t have to drink to have a hilarious karaoke night with your friends. Break out the jalapeño poppers, mocktails, a microphone, and all the classic songs for folks to belt.

sober party

Everyone else at the party has arrived full of their own insecurities, hang-ups, hopes, and fears. I always like to look around and imagine what’s going on for the other people there. Who had a fight with their partner just before arriving? Who is hoping they don’t drink too much and blackout again? Who is feeling really happy to be out with their friends? Who is loving being away from their kids for the night?

This can help you sidestep the chance of someone offering you alcohol or prying about why you’re not drinking. If possible, ask a sober or sober curious friend to accompany you to the event. This person can help you feel connected, even when you find yourself in a room full of others who are drinking. Since you’ll be leaving out the alcohol, you can focus your energy on mixing up some festive, alcohol-free drinks for yourself and your guests. And if you’re not sure where to start, the good news is that there are tons of mocktail recipes out there for nearly any occasion.

Your primary concern is to make sure that no one drinks alcohol and that no one even talks about it. Board games are a classic party activity that never gets old. They’re a great way to get people to interact and have fun without alcohol. Another option is to head to a bowling alley or arcade for some friendly competition. If you’re looking for something more relaxing, consider a spa day.