Any recommendations for finding support groups or making sober friends? I miss my friends, but they all played a role in my addiction and don’t understand the depth of my struggle with alcohol addiction. I really need some friends who can hold me accountable and add to my life in meaningful ways, and who can really relate to the struggle of alcohol addiction. Does anyone have any tips?
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I still kept all of my friends. I let them do what they’re going to do. I still see them often. They drink and I don’t. You have the ultimate power and control over yourself, not others.
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I agree with you. I think I’m just uncomfortable with my sobriety - it’s a whole new identity to take on. I was always the crazy party girl, now I feel like I’m boring and don’t actually have much in common with my friends. I feel it makes them uncomfortable, too. But that may be me projecting. I also always used drinking as a way of fitting in and relieving my social anxiety, so now I just feel extremely socially awkward since I can’t use alcohol as a crutch. I’m happy to be sober, just having a hard time adjusting.
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I understand completely. It’s a lot to process! I’m by no means a pro. I’m only a year and a half into it.
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A year and a half is awesome! You should be very proud of yourself, keep it up! 
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I feel the same way ... a lot of times i just reach out and find what i need.
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If you’re religious, go to the place of worship in your neighborhood. I go to a church that has retreats for the members & have made some friends there.
I have made most of my current friends from meetings. Offer to hold a women’s living room meeting at your home. Look up NA or AA events in your area. The Alano Club in my neighborhood has karaoke, pot lucks, bonfires & BBQs depending on the season.
People on your path are the ones you will resonate with the most. Try to stick with them!
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Old friends who have my back and lots of zoom Men’s meetings have met solid sober friends.
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Thank you so much for the tips! I do miss going to church very much and think I’ll make that more of a priority. Definitely need to join a sobriety group but I’ve heard such mixed reviews about AA. Worth a shot, though! Thanks again! 
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I felt the same way when I first got sober. I suffered from bad social anxiety my whole life and alcohol was my solution too. I did 90 meetings in 90 days and by the end I had made a lot of new friends. Now I still go to a meeting almost every day. Not because I feel ill drink if I don't but because that's where my friends are. I still see my old friends too but they know i dont drink and are supportive of it. If you find a meeting with people you like and trust. Share that your feeling lonely and I'm sure many of them will offer to hang out.
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Definitely check out AA meetings. Not sure what the area you live in is like, but if you're nearer a bigger city many have secular (non religious) AA meetings. I find these to be very comfortable. Not culty feeling, no group prayers and holding hands etc. Just straight up sobriety and down to earth friendships. I have made many really good friends at these meetings.
Stay sober, don't do it alone, you don't have to.
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Definitely meetings and church. Old friends are hardest to let go but that is almost always a bad idea especially when you’re still in the early stages. I have a little over 2 years and I do not associate with old party buddies unless they are clean and sober at least 6 months on their own. Too dangerous for me. Everyone’s different though so do whatever works for you and you feel comfortable with. I made my new sober circle in AA and NA. Met a lot of people and we hang out occasionally. and I stay active with service work for my AA group. And volunteer in the community in different outreaches and church things for various churches. Stay strong the loneliness is hard at first but use that time to work on you!
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It’s a website that hosts hundreds of meetings a week and you can make friends and IM people. It’s like Facebook for addicts
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When I first got sober I did the 90 and 90 and tried to find a different meeting everyday till I finally found some comfortable ones. I really enjoy CA meetings because they feel more open to everyone in my opinion. Also it seems to be a younger group of people. I still frequent AA meetings but have found my home and many close friends through CA in the last months of sobriety.
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Thank you all so much! I already feel much less alone so I really appreciate all of your thoughtful inputs. 
Thank you for the advice! What is CA?
I made a lot of friends in rehab and IOP. A few of them stuck around and remain sober and we support each other (mostly by text). Some of us get coffee and go to meetings together. I think it's really helpful to make new acquaintances at meetings. At least for me. It helps me to feel more comfortable and to actually speak in front of the group. Apps like this help a little as well as the recovery subreddit and FB groups. We went to any lengths necessary to drink and drug and we need to put that same effort into our recovery. If you like what some people have to share on here add them as friends and start a conversation. Who knows, you might make some new friends. Best of luck! Keep it up.
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It’s cocaine anonymous but it’s only a name. The program follows the 12 steps of AA but is open to everyone. I see it as a nice medium between AA and NA( narcotics anonymous). It’s really helped me.
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Oh yeah also, there are gyms like The Phoenix that are all over the country that cater to us folks in recovery. They host free events like rock climbing, yoga, gym, hiking, etc.. I’ve also met some great folks through there.
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Find activities that you enjoy doing and do it as often as you can. Start talking to the people who are also doing that activity and try and build a friendship.
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