Facing Sober Shaming After Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Choosing sobriety is one of the best things that you will ever do for yourself. Though the journey will serve you greatly, it takes a great deal of strength and daily work to unlearn old habits and build new ones both during and after alcohol addiction treatment. 

As you embrace this process, you will also need to learn how to navigate certain relationships in your life a little differently than you may have before. While some people in your life will be fully supportive of your journey, others might shame your decision to be sober or try to pressure you to fall back into old habits. 

Peer Pressure

Many people begin drinking in the first place due to peer pressure, and this pressure does not always go away even when you choose sobriety. There may be some people in your life who do not appreciate or respect your decision to abstain. 

This pressure can come from a variety of places. Some people simply might not understand the severity of the situation for you. Those who do not struggle with alcohol addiction do not always realize how detrimental it can be, and they may try to get you to join in as a result. 

In other cases, some people prioritize their wants over your needs, asking you to join so they will not be alone regardless of how it affects you. This can stem from apathy for your situation or even an inability to recognize their own addiction. Regardless of where it comes from, peer pressure can cause a great deal of stress for someone already working hard to unlearn negative patterns.

Shame And Addiction

It’s common for those who have struggled with addiction to experience personal feelings of shame. Many people who feel shame find that this pushes them towards their addiction even more, which creates a difficult cycle. In recovery, working through shame is a crucial step, as you will learn how to forgive yourself for the mistakes of your past and break out of the cycles you have been trapped in.

Sober shaming can look a little different, and it is important to learn what it is so that you can recognize it. While shame surrounding addiction often stems from personal feelings of guilt, sober shaming is brought on by others.

If you ever feel as though you are being ostracized, mocked, or questioned intensely for not drinking, then you are facing sober shaming. Even if someone approaches the subject in a light-hearted manner, this form of pressure is serious and can add stress to your recovery journey. 

Group shaming can occur as well. It can be very overwhelming when multiple people are trying to convince you to drink. Regardless of what their intentions are, it is important to make your intentions clear and remove yourself from situations when necessary.

Maintaining Boundaries

One of the most important elements in facing sober shaming and maintaining your sobriety is setting clear boundaries with people in your life. Explain to people that you are not drinking, and if you do not want to share the reasons with them, state that your reasons are your own and that you do not owe them an explanation. 

The people with your best interests at heart will support your decision not to drink, regardless of whether they are or not. They will respect your sobriety and make sure that they do not put you in situations in which you feel pressured and stand up for you against those who would seek to pressure or shame you for your decision.

In the case of people who are not willing to accept your sobriety, who constantly question you, or make you feel less for not drinking, you may need to reevaluate their place in your life. If they care more about drinking with you, than you, then it is not a healthy relationship. In some instances, it may be best to end these relationships.

Choosing The Right Environments

Choosing the right environments will help you avoid harmful situations entirely. To do this, you need to know yourself, what triggers you, and what may be likely to push you back towards old habits. Any environment that could potentially trigger you and cause you to struggle needs to be avoided whenever possible. 

This can include settings such as parties, bars, or clubs, as they are often full of temptation and other people who are not on the same journey as you. Try to focus on surrounding yourself with those who support your sobriety and are happy to do other things with you instead.

Healthy environments for you may include support groups or open spaces where you are able to be free and not experience the pressure of alcohol. You might engage in group fitness activities, clubs, or other group activities that are more aligned with your goals.

Jackson House Recovery Centers’ Alcohol Addiction Treatment

At Jackson House Recovery Centers, we are dedicated to providing you with support through every step of your addiction journey, and the personalized help from our team does not end when you finish our course of treatment. Our aftercare services offer support for after your treatment, ensuring that you have people and places who will positively contribute to your sobriety path.

If you would like some more information about how we can help you with this phase of your recovery, get in touch with us now. A friendly member of our team will be more than happy to talk you through the options that we offer.