Being sober doesn’t have to mean giving up your social life, or having fun. This new way of living will be a bit of a challenge in the beginning and having concerns about going out after quitting drinking.

Can I have fun without drinking?

How will my friends react?

Will I feel self-conscious without a little liquid courage?

Can I say “no” and stick to it?

If you’re in early recovery, you’ll want to stay away from any situation where alcohol or drugs are involved for some time. These environments can trigger cravings and put you at risk of relapse. Being prepared and having a plan can helps as well as phone numbers of sober friends you enjoy going out after you’ve quit drinking.

Have an Honest Talk with Your Friends

It’s up to you to decide how much information to share and who to share it with. You don’t have to justify your decision. Some people drink, and some people don’t. Everyone has their own choice to make, and no explanation is needed.

If you have good friends who support your efforts, you might decide to have a direct and honest conversation with them. Let them know what they can do to help. Perhaps you’d appreciate a sober buddy, or someone else staying sober with you when you go out or helping you resist the temptation to drink. Or maybe you’d still like to hang out together, but not in bars. You might even still like to do the same things—such as playing cards or watching movies together—but without alcohol.

Be Prepared for People’s Reactions

While some of your friends will be totally supportive of your decision, others may seem indifferent or respond in a negative way. Your sobriety might serve as a reminder to your “drinking buddies” that they’re consuming unhealthy amounts of alcohol, or stir up a bit of anxiety if they feel uncomfortable socializing sober. A change in your friendship dynamics doesn’t have to be a bad thing. You might find the shift welcoming. There’s always a chance you’ll enjoy conversations with your friends more when you’re sober. And you may even find hey appreciate you more or respect your decisions.  If friendships change in a way that you don’t like, don’t despair. You might be able to create a new circle of friends, or simply decide to hang out with your old pals in different locations and times when alcohol isn’t the main focus.

Go Places that Don’t Serve Alcohol

One of the easiest things you can do to avoid drinking—and to avoid having to explain yourself—is to go to places that don’t serve alcohol.

Coffee shops, movie theaters, museums, libraries, and fast-food restaurants are just a few places that aren’t likely to serve alcoholic beverages. Look for places that are alcohol free—from farmer’s markets to local theaters, you’ll likely find plenty of spots that don’t serve alcohol.

You might go out alone as you start this new chapter of your life. Or, you might invite your friends to join you in these places as a way to encourage sober activities.

Think Fun

When you walk into a situation believing that you can’t have fun sober, this is likely to be a self-fulfilling prophecy. You might even isolate yourself or hold back from having a good time—which will then reinforce your belief (and others) that being sober makes fun impossible.