We'll for me I stopped hanging with my buds and drinking first because I'd binge at my house with my dogs (sigh). One of my buds who still goes out and I are still good friends and go out for wings with my son a bunch
I guess it is a changing landscape, but there sure are a lot of folks out there to make friends with in sober settings!
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As a 51 year old, divorced father whose daughter lives out of state, I have come to realize that I don’t really have any friends.
It is lonely but the only people that seem to be in my same demographic are partying it up or drowning their sorrows at a bar. It kind of sucks but the alternative was killing me slowly.
Rather be sober and alone, then drunk with other drunk friends. 594 days but only 1 at a time.
Stay strong. You’ll develop the quality relationships. I sure hope that I will.
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It took you that long? H3ll people were already fleeing once they heard I was in recovery.
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Most of the "friends" I was hanging out with towards the end of my drinking, weren't good for me....at all. Literally all they did was drink and get into arguments etc. The people "I lost" I don't really consider losses. They lost me. A loyal and honest person who wants to grow. Sure, I get lonely sometimes but I've got podcasts, books, music, video games, etc. Plus, my real friends when our schedules line up. I used to always be so afraid of being alone that I would just hang out with whomever, regardless of how they were. I am much more selective in who I allow into my space because my sobriety and peace is worth so much more. I hope it gets better for you! (((Hugs)))
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My TRUE friends want to see me not drinking. They knew before i did i was a problem drinker
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Yeah happened to me too but glad it did. I didn’t deliberately change people but found many stopped interacting with me, people I ran with were heavy drinkers and trouble makers so having a person around who didn’t and needn’t act like that was uncomfortable for them, causes people to look in the mirror and question their own conduct, so to avoid that they just stopped interacting with me. But was good and you’re in better place now to attract like minded people acting soberly. Is hard road to lose old friends but maybe someday they come back around and in meantime we just need to make new friends.
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I’m having the same issue. I never realized how much my friendships and social interactions were always centered around alcohol until after I quit. It’s hard. But I am finding peace in myself and enjoying my own company rather than people who honestly made me feel crappy anyway.
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I don't have friends. I have associates. I had my fiance who passed away. I have my kids and I have my sisters and I have my dog. I'm social but it's a performance.
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Your true friends that care about your health don’t go away! I have had plenty of “drinking friends” that I don’t frequent anymore!
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Lost several friends. Experienced a huge shift in my career. My priorities have changed and I’ve had to learn to let go of past versions of myself. Growth and grief are huge parts of recovery. I don’t regret the change I made for myself once. Sobriety has its challenges but sure as has many benefits. I’m 5 years and 2 months sober from alcohol. I prioritize working out, nature, and hobbies now more than I ever have. Willing to talk more if anyone is wanting to discuss this topic deeper.
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All the friends that left when you sobered up weren’t true friends. The friends that stick around are your true friends. When I sobered up I truly figured out who my real friends were and who was just drinking buddies.
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I lost people who I thought were my friends. I gained people who are now more like family.
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Yes, lost quite of few people in my life due to my sober journey. Some their choice, some my choice. Still have a very close, small group of great people in my life, and gosh what a blessing. It's not quantity of people you surround yourself with, it's quality 
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When I went to rehab they preached to us about "friends" and how we will lose some for various reasons. I thought "not me", I have friends that are like brothers, for decades we've been there for each other.
I got out of rehab and all had moved on. Still wanting to drink and feeling awkward around me like they might catch my soberness.
I wish there was an easy answer, it's impossible to start making new friends middle age and broken, so I've focusednon what I can control and will worry about fri nds some other time
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Thank you, I’ve heard of that group too I think I’ll check it out!
True friends will always be just that.
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Acquaintances become Friends, Friends become Family, Family becomes Friends, Friends become Acquaintances. It’s a back and forth process, but the ones that hold up to your standards are truly blessings that build your peace, not steal it from you.
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Yes. It’s interesting. I’ve got some old friends, lots of new friends, lost some do to my recovering, lost some due to their recovery… all in all recovery has been fantastic for my relationships.
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Ive had more freinds in my life than i could imagine... i have like 14 total now!!!
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Sobriety is a journey best traveled alone with giidance
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