Without question, shared experiences help people in recovery, so bolstering your sober social circle is a wonderful way to develop a strong support network. It also provides numerous opportunities for activities and events to enjoy with people focused on health just like you. Now that you’re in the stage of sobriety when you want to reach out and be more connected, here are some ideas that may help.
Finding Your People
Fostering connection with others fulfills various fundamental needs and serves several purposes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), healthy social connectedness is defined by the following characteristics, which we provide verbatim:
- The number, variety, and types of relationships a person has.
- Having meaningful and regular social exchanges.
- Sense of support from friends, families, and others in the community.
- Having close bonds with others.
- Feeling loved, cared for, valued, and appreciated by others.
- Having more than one person to turn to for support. This includes emotional support when feeling down, and physical support, like getting a ride to the doctor or grocery store, or getting help with childcare on short notice.
- Access to safe public areas to gather (such as parks and recreation centers).
While it’s healthy to learn how to be alone to enjoy your personal space, hobbies, and other interests, loneliness in sobriety threatens recovery. Whether you describe yourself as an ambivert, extrovert, or introvert, humans are social creatures by nature, and we need each other to not only survive but also thrive.
Ways to Expand Your Sober Social Circle
Enhance your recovery journey and bring meaningful connections into your life with the following ideas.
Attend Recovery Meetings
Different mutual aid support groups offer supportive spaces to meet people committed to sobriety. Attend regularly, introduce yourself, and engage in group discussions to build connections. While you might be most familiar with 12-Step or SMART Recovery programs, also consider:
- Celebrate Recovery
- Gay and Sober
- Loosid App
- Men’s Group
- Recovery Dharma BIPOC
- Sober Black Girls Club
- The Luckiest Club
- Women for Sobriety
- Wounded Warrior Project Peer Support
- Young People in Recovery
Volunteer for a Cause
Giving back through volunteering helps you meet like-minded individuals while supporting meaningful initiatives. Join efforts at food banks, animal shelters, or local non-profits with missions that matter to you.
Join Sober Social Clubs
Social clubs and Meetup groups for sober individuals often host activities like hiking, book clubs, or sports. These provide new spaces to make friends.
Take Up a New Hobby
Practically every hobby or pastime has a passionate collective. If you enjoy something in particular, look around for clubs and gatherings that help you connect with like-minded people. Check out Facebook.com/events, local community calendars, university and college calendars, parks and recreation websites, library websites, and similar resources for inspiration.
Attend Sober Events
Look for alcohol-free events like sober dances, music festivals, or fitness challenges to connect with others in recovery. Many organizations advertise these events online.
Get Active in a Fitness Community
Weightlifting programs, running groups, yoga classes, and more are excellent for meeting people while staying healthy. Sign up for group classes, visit different health clubs, and review other fitness programs and Eventbrite for more ideas.
Host Sober Gatherings
Organize your own events, like game nights or potlucks, to bring together like-minded individuals. Encourage guests to invite friends in recovery to help grow your circle.
Participate in Recovery Retreats, Workshops, or Travel
Join retreats or workshops focused on mindfulness, wellness, or sobriety. These immersive experiences often lead to meaningful connections with others. Also, consider taking a sober travel trip. There are numerous options now, including Sober Vacations, We Love Lucid, Hooked Alcohol-Free Travel, and Choose Life Sober Adventures.
Engage in Online Sober Communities
Virtual spaces such as Facebook groups or Reddit’s r/stopdrinking offer support and opportunities to connect. Participate in discussions and join virtual events to find a sense of belonging and build your social skills for real-life experiences.
Explore Creative Arts Groups
Choosing to participate in art classes, writing workshops, or theater groups allows you to connect with others through shared creativity. Look for community art collectives, open mic nights, or local creative clubs to meet sober-minded individuals.
Find Additional Community at Willingway
When you attend Willingway’s Georgia and Florida addiction rehabilitation locations, you gain automatic access to our numerous continuing care community groups throughout the Southeast. Open to everyone, these sobriety touchstones help you expand your social circle in many different ways. It’s just one of the many aftercare benefits we provide—ask our admissions team for more information.