Making sober friends IRL

[GlitterRain]

I’m throwing myself all into sobriety this year after being a problem drinker my whole adult life. I’ve fallen down before because in the past my social life has revolved around drinking, but I have no social life and in fact no friends at all any more after relocating and failing to meet new people. I’m taking this opportunity to kick booze on the head once and for all now that I’m not constantly surrounded by it. But I know it won’t always feel as easy as it does on day 2, and I know I need to get involved in a likeminded community to have a real shot at this.

I joined some online Facebook groups and signed up for a 1 month trial with Reframe, but there is nothing geared towards meeting people in the real world anywhere near where I live. I’m trying to spend less time online as well and just want to get out and meet people IRL, as I’m feeling really isolated, which is ironically why I’ve been drinking more at home.

I’ve seen Bee Sober and considering signing up to this, but there is no trial period and I’m unsure about investing in a year’s membership without seeing how good the private community behind it is. Has anyone used this and found it’s led to real world connections outside of social media? Can anyone tell me a bit more about your experience of it, or make any other suggestions?

Try the group 'life's better without alcohol' on fb. Great supportive community and its private. The spin off group, 'The AF club' is only 4.99 a month, 1st month free. They have zooms every day in the week, lives from the groups producers every morning (you can watch when you like) & quiz nights etc. They also meet all over the UK every couple of weeks.

Bee Sober definitely. I’m pretty sure you don’t have to sign up for a year. I pay monthly. It’s what I used to spend in a day on alcohol for a month of support. It’s a no brainer really. I’ve met some lovely folks.

The members group is much more active than the non-members. There are daily zooms and meet ups (brunches, wild swims, hikes, other activities) fairly regularly depending on where you live (London/Surrey and north). There isn’t really anything in the South West and I’m sure there are some other spots where there isn’t much (just because no one has signed up yet to organise it). You can check on the website if there are meet ups near you. There is also an annual retreat, which I did this year and that was fantastic.

Thank you both, that’s very helpful!