Your First Alcohol-Free Friday Night and How to Survive It

by John Risby

Published: January 06, 2023 Last updated: November 30, 2023

A woman looking out on the city as she stays home

It’s Friday night, and while many people may be looking forward to relaxing with a few drinks with friends, for those who have decided to go sober, the prospect of a Friday night without alcohol can be intimidating. But with the right preparation and mindset, it is possible to have a fun and enjoyable sober evening.

One of the first steps to surviving a Friday night without booze is to find alternative activities that you enjoy. This could be anything from watching a movie at home to trying a new hobby, like painting or going to a yoga class. It’s also a good idea to have a plan in place so that you don’t feel like you’re missing out on the fun.

If you enjoy live music, consider going to a concert. When I gave up alcohol in 2004, I went to a James Brown concert just a week after quitting, and it ended up being one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to. Not only did I have a great time, but I also remembered everything from the concert because I wasn’t drunk.

I could survive just about anything!

The concert was booked months before I decided to stop drinking and I can’t lie, I was really nervous about going. But I’m so glad I did. It not only re-enforced my decision to stop, but it made me realise that if I could survive being at the front of a James Brown concert sober, I could survive just about anything!

It’s also important to tell your friends and family about your decision not to drink, especially if you are going out with them. This will help them understand and support your choice, and they may even join you in your sober activities. It’s a good idea to have a plan in place for dealing with peer pressure. This could be as simple as having a prepared response ready, like “I’m not drinking tonight, but I’m still having a great time.”

If your plan is to stop drinking for good, then there’s three simple words that have more power than you can imagine. Don’t tell people you aren’t drinking at the moment or tonight, simply say “I don’t drink”. It’s up to you if you want to expand on the reasons why, but you don’t have to. Those three simple words say it all. You don’t drink.

Remind yourself of the benefits

Even with a solid plan in place, it’s natural to feel cravings for alcohol on a Friday night if you’ve just stopped. To manage these cravings, it can be helpful to remind yourself of the benefits of sobriety, such as improved health, more clarity of mind, and more money in your bank account. It can also be helpful to have some non-alcoholic options on hand, like a sparkling water with lime, a mocktail, or an alcohol-free beer or wine.

If you’re feeling particularly vulnerable, it can be helpful to seek out a support group. There are many online groups available, including our own Alcohol-Free Community on Facebook, which can be a great source of support and encouragement. You could also consider reaching out to a trusted friend or family member for support.

If you do go out on a sober Friday night, it’s important to remember that it’s okay to stick to your decision to go sober, even if others around you are drinking. It can be tempting to join in, especially if you feel left out, but it’s important to remember that you made the decision to go sober for a reason. And in the end, you’ll likely feel much better the next morning than those who have been drinking!

Takeaways

It’s possible to have a fun and enjoyable sober Friday night with the right preparation and mindset

Find alternative activities that you enjoy, like watching a movie or going to a concert or trying a new hobby

Tell your friends and family about your decision to go sober and have a plan in place for dealing with peer pressure

Remind yourself of the benefits of sobriety and have non-alcoholic options on hand to manage cravings

Seek out a support group or reach out to a trusted friend or family member for support

Remember the reasons for your decision to go sober and it is okay to stick to it, even if others around you are drinking.

About The Author

John Risby

Co-Founder of The Alcohol-Free Shop and AlcoholFree.com. John is a recovering alcoholic who stopped drinking in June 2004. Born and raised in Manchester, he now lives in Malaga with his wife and young daughter. He came to terms with being an alcoholic many years ago, but still finds the concept his daughter is Spanish very strange.