Tackling the weekends in early recovery
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Aloha my friends and happy Friday! Weekends were one of the hardest parts of my recovery in the beginning. Let’s be honest, Friday nights, or just those long, empty hours used to revolve around drinking.
But I quickly learned that surviving (and even enjoying) the weekend sober is 100% possible with a little planning and mindset shift.
Here’s what worked for me:
Change Your Routine: If my usual habit was heading to the pub or opening a bottle at home, I swapped that for something healthier, like an evening walk or catching up on some writing. Creating new rituals helped fill the space.
Have a Go-To Drink: I always made sure I had something fun and non-alcoholic to sip on, ginger ale was my go to drink, or even just a fancy tea. Having a drink in hand at social events made it easier to feel like I wasn’t missing out.
Check in with Yourself: Before the weekend started, I asked myself, What could be a trigger for me this weekend? How can I avoid or manage it? This awareness was huge in keeping me grounded and prepared.
Lean on Support: Whether it was texting a friend, hitting up a support meeting, or even scrolling through sober content online, staying connected reminded me I wasn’t alone in this. As many of you know I connected with others here.
If weekends are tough for you, here’s what I’d suggest:
Write out your weekend plans and build in activities that keep you busy and happy.
Have a backup plan for moments when cravings hit, like calling someone or stepping outside for fresh air.
Remind yourself why you’re doing this and how amazing you’ll feel Monday morning knowing you stayed strong.
Weekends don’t have to be about drinking, they can be about you and the life you’re building. Trust me, nothing feels better than waking up on a Sunday morning clear-headed and proud of yourself.
Have a great day and stay well, I love ya Matt x
