Partying sober

You might recognize it, or maybe you don’t. People approaching you at a party and asking, surprised, if you’re really sober? Reactions can range from “Good for you!” to “I could never do that” or “But why?” There are many different reasons to avoid a party (or multiple parties). This can sometimes be difficult in a society where alcohol, in particular, is so normalized. But if you do try it once, you’ll discover that there are many advantages, and it doesn’t have to be a less enjoyable party at all.

Inner Compass

When you’re sober, your body can better trust your inner compass. Hunger, thirst, sleep, heat, and cold are all very precisely regulated. If you forget your winter coat while drunk at the pub, it essentially means you’ve suppressed your inner compass. Your body does cool down, but because of the effects of the drug, you don’t feel it. This makes hypothermia or overheating one of the major risks of drug use. Pain is also suppressed by drug use. When you’re sober, you can much more easily trust your physical signals. This significantly reduces the chance of overstepping your boundaries.

And it’s not just these boundaries that you can better maintain when you’re sober. Alcohol, for example, is the second-largest risk factor for sexual assault. Socially, you’re also better able to assess your own feelings and those of others.
Furthermore, you’ll forget less of the evening, your perception of time is intact, your sleep quality is higher, and—perhaps the biggest advantage—you’ll feel only a little tired the next day.

Sounds good, right?

Tips

Still, not using can be quite a challenge. Therefore, here are a few tips for a perfect sober evening:

Make clear agreements with yourself: make a good plan before you go out, or make it a challenge; otherwise, it’s easy to fall back on old habits and accept a drink.
Do it together and tell the people around you: maybe you have friends who also want to stay sober for a night. Together you’re stronger, and this can make it a lot easier to stick to your own commitments. Tell the people around you that you want to stay sober that night, so they’ll keep you in mind.
Choose the right people and the right party!!!: Go with people who are always going to have a good time, sober or not. The same goes for the party itself: if you have to be drunk to have a good time, it’s just not a good party.
Sleep and eat well beforehand: dancing for a few hours, especially in the evening or at night, is simply tiring. So make sure you sleep well and eat well before you go out, so your body has the energy it needs.
Take breaks: sit down somewhere every now and then, get some fresh air, have a Coke now and then to get some sugar, or grab a bite to eat somewhere. This gives your body the rest and energy to keep going. You don’t have to party all day: listen to your body and its signals. If you’ve been dancing for a few hours and you’re starting to feel tired, go home. Make some tea and relax on the couch for another half hour.
Have a coffee: let’s be honest, caffeine is a bit of a dubious option, but it can be a good alternative to other substances. Have a coffee or energy drink before you head out; it can give you a little extra energy. Just don’t have it too close to bed, or you’ll still end up on ceiling duty.
Treat yourself: going out sober often saves you money. So have something to eat or a (non-alcoholic!) drink that you normally find too expensive. Or consider what you would otherwise have spent and put some of it towards something you’ve been saving for years.
Practice makes perfect: it’s perfectly normal to feel awkward the first few times. Do I really dance this strangely? What do I do with my hands when I’m not holding a beer? The more often you go out sober, the more normal it becomes, and the better you’ll know what works!

At a party or night out, you mainly want to have a good time and dance, and that doesn’t have to involve drugs! Enjoy the people and the music, and be kind to yourself and others.

Not quite convinced yet? Just give it a try!