You don’t get over an addiction by stopping using. You recovery by creating a new life where it’s easier to not use. A bottle and glass of wine on the table. Addicted woman standing in the backgroundAddiction is a lifelong struggle of managing impulses and cravings in a healthy and positive way. There will always be various ups and downs during recovery that make continued sobriety a challenge for many. When it comes to alcohol addiction, this is especially difficult due to how ingrained drinking is in our society. The biggest question for many individuals who know someone that’s going through recovery is whether or not they can responsibly drink while around them.

Begin by Taking a Look at Your Relationship

During alcohol addiction treatment, patients build strong networks of like-minded peers who have chosen to live a life free of alcohol. This positive reinforcement makes it easy to enjoy life without being intoxicated, but what about their friends and family back home? Depending on the situation, it can be difficult to be around drinking in any capacity even after treatment.

If it’s a friend you’re concerned about drinking in front of then they’ve already confided in you that they’re in recovery. Once this line of communication has been established, it’s important that you leverage it to have an open dialogue about drinking. They may ask that you don’t drink around them and you should honor that wish. If they say they’re ok with it, it’s still a good idea to not drink when they’re present or limit the intake to a reasonable level.

When it comes to recovering family members or your partner, abstaining from alcohol entirely when near them is even more vital. Closer relationships such as these often come with emulation of habits. If your child is the one recovering from alcohol abuse, it can prove to be difficult for them to stay sober if the ones they look up to continue drinking around them. Your partner will also tend to share the same drinking habits so be sure to make them comfortable during recovery. If you choose to keep drinking apart from them, try not to meet with them while you’re under the influence or hungover.

Always Be Aware of the Setting

Being in social situations where a majority of members are drinking, the idea of having just one drink to fit in can lead to a total relapse into alcohol abuse. Birthday and holiday parties are common settings for alcohol consumption by friends and family. Even settings where attendees are strangers such as a bar or club can prove to be a significant struggle to maintain sobriety. In these instances, choosing not to drink in solidarity with your recovering loved one can make a world of difference.

Living in the same home as a non-drinker requires additional considerations and steps to support them. If alcohol isn’t commonly present in the home to begin with, it’s an easy transition to eliminate it entirely. On the other hand, households who wish to continue drinking at home should take extra precautions.

An easy change is to keep alcohol safely out of sight and in a location your loved one isn’t aware of or is unable to access. It could be tucked away in the back of a pantry, stowed in a separate fridge or locked away in a cabinet. Placing alcohol in a designated room where it’s both stored and consumed lets those in recovery avoid a situation where they may be tempted to drink. If needed, this can be taken a step further by maintaining a schedule in which you choose to drink. It may sound extreme, but most drinkers already have a consistent time they drink such as with dinner or after getting home from work.

Seek Treatment in the Event of a Relapse

Whether it’s the first relapse or any number after that, treatment is always available. Some treatment programs may not offer adequate aftercare support to help patients sustain their sobriety. At America’s Rehab Campus, our team of compassionate recovery specialists equips each and every person that completes treatment with the tools and resources needed to spend the rest of their life without alcohol. It’s never too late to get the help needed to overcome an addiction to alcohol. Get started with by contacting our team for a confidential consultation today.