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Ask HN: How do you have fun without alcohol?

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Re: Ask HN: How do you have fun without alcohol?

#11

Post by kulor »

Once you can come to the point of not caring what others think of you when you're having fun you realise you don't need the alcohol/drugs. For instance, go dance on the dancefloor with the knowledge that most others are too busy worrying about how they look and are envious that you're enjoying the moment.

You don't need to completely remove alcohol, a good first step is to have 2 glasses/bottles over a binge session so you can feel more "socially integrated".

I realise this is easier said than done but it's an attainable mindset.

Re: Ask HN: How do you have fun without alcohol?

#12

Post by satysin »

I’m 37 and stopped drink at 18 after I realised I didn’t really like it nor a lot of the people I hung around with. Other than a small drink at a wedding I’ve not had a drink in almost twenty years. Just isn’t for me.

To answer your question though I do all the normal stuff everyone else does just without the alcohol. I still went to the pub with new friends and colleagues. I just didn’t drink alcohol. Sure it was a bit odd at first, more so for others than me I think. But it soon became normal and I had just as much fun as I did before but without feeling crap the next morning.

You mention your friends are alcoholics. If that is true I would probably suggest finding new friends as it sounds like they’re just a big of an issue on your desensitisation of fun as alcohol is.

Re: Ask HN: How do you have fun without alcohol?

#13

Post by danuker »

geocrasher wrote: post #10

1) STOP DRINKING IT 2) Get new friends (seriously). If you continue to associate with the same friends, you'll have the same problem and point of view. 3) Let yourself go through the withdrawal of the "fun" 4) Get on with life, figure out what you consider without including alcohol.

Possible step 5: integrate old friends one by one into your new circle, saving them from alcoholism

Re: Ask HN: How do you have fun without alcohol?

#15

Post by version_five »

Don't look for things through the lenses of "alcohol free" - that will just make them all seem boring.

Look for activities that alcohol would get in the way of, and find something you like. Could be video games, sports / exercise, sex, reading, driving around, or other hobbies. To some extent, its harder work to find something that requires as little effort to be fun as just drinking, but there are lots of things you can't enjoy when drinking / drunk, so focus on those.

Re: Ask HN: How do you have fun without alcohol?

#16

Post by sovietmudkipz »

Give yourself permission to play. Get yourself in a goofy mindset (within socially acceptable reason - you don’t want to annoy your friends (too much)).

If anyone asks why you aren’t drinking just tell them you are just having fun (“goofing”). Internalize a story about yourself that let’s you play without needing alcohol.

I really enjoyed improv because that’s sort of how they led. People are stiff and need an excuse to be playful. Most use alcohol as permission but you don’t need to.

If your friends keep peer pressuring you to drink, consider changing what environment you guys are in as perhaps it’s the same old environment leading to the same old desires.

Hope this helps internet friend!

Re: Ask HN: How do you have fun without alcohol?

#18

Post by riskneutral »

You should choose one or two active recreational activities and do them routinely. For example, soccer, rock climbing, golf, martial activities, running, biking, gym, whatever. You are more likely to meet friends through those activities who also enjoy doing the same non-alcohol activities as you.

Dating and sex also don't have to involve alcohol and are fun activities as well.

Better to get on these things now while you're 23, rather than 33 or 43.

Re: Ask HN: How do you have fun without alcohol?

#20

Post by VirologyThrow »

By trying to quickly "replace" alcohol with something that delivers an equally satisfying feeling, you might be setting yourself up for failure, especially if you are really an alcoholic.

A more realistic first step would be to stop hanging out with your alcoholic friends, or at least trying to set very clear boundaries with them so that you avoid situations where you're encouraged or pressured to drink. This might not be possible, in which case you'll have to make some tough decisions about who you allow to stay in your life.

Either way, consider expanding your social circle to include people who don't drink. That group might include people who are sober or trying to achieve sobriety.

Once you're in the right environments and around the right people, it will be easier to find alcohol-free activities that you enjoy.

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