What's good about sobriety, guys?
You know where all your shit is all the time!
I don't lose my clothing anymore.
And I remember yesterday.
I got nothing.
Pretty much every weekend, I go out
partying, and I always go out with a
crew of sober, queer and trans people.
Make sure you have friends that
are around you that support your sobriety.
I won't go out alone.
Going out alone tends to increase my anxiety,
which is a trigger for me.
If you're going out sober
know that there's so many awesome drinks
you can get, that don't have alcohol in them.
Shirley temples, virgin pina coladas,
Perrier, soda pop!
Always make sure you have something in your hand,
or something to drink.
Everybody has
something in their hands around you,
and you feel awkward and weird.
I don't want to feel awkward or weird at a party.
I want to feel good.
Some people in recovery like to drink energy drinks,
coffee, before going out,
to wake yourself up a bit
and have the energy to be dancing
or doing whatever it is you want to do all night.
If you look good, you're going to feel good.
Make sure your outfit looks fly when you go out,
and you're going to feel confident, and you won't
want to drink if you're looking that good.
for going out. So fanny packs are my ultimate accessory
So fanny packs are my ultimate accessory
Make sure you carry gum,
make sure you carry
a water bottle.
. Also, if you leave your water laying around
people could put something in it.
So it's good to just know that you're safe
with all of your stuff right
in your crotch.
No.
It's really important when I'm going to a space
where I know there will be drugs or alcohol around,
I have a purpose in that space,
beyond just being there.
So if I'm going to a bar, I make sure I'm going for
live music, I'm going for dancing,
I'm going for a friends birthday party.
Make sure that you try to reduce your vulnerabilities.
Get enough sleep.
Eat.
I've learned to pace my energy.
So one of the things I like to do before I go out,
is I like to make sure that I'm
in a good headspace.
Be prepared physically.
Get some good rest.
Drink lots of water before you go out.
Have a good meal.
Do some push-ups,
get your biceps looking clean and fit.
Do a little dance before you go out.
If you're feeling triggered,
just know what your triggers are beforehand.
I have the right and permission
to leave a space whenever I feel
unsafe, or triggered, or,
like I'm just not having fun anymore, I'm not going to
miss out, and my sobriety comes first.
You can just be selective,
and if you end up somewhere that you aren't comfortable,
you can leave.
I usually have
people around me who are
willing to leave with me, if I need to leave a space.
I have a lot of friends that are
sober allies, and they don't
necessarily
want to be sober.
I think it's just important to have a dialogue,
open communication and, to
be able to trust whoever you're hanging out with.
There's nothing wrong with going out with
people who aren't sober,
as long as they're supportive,
and they understand your boundaries.
I don't really want to make out with somebody
if they're been drinking hard liquor,
like that doesn't sound fun to me.
If you have a friend who doesn't necessarily need
to drink or use to feel comfortable
in social settings, or out partying, then
maybe you can have an open discussion with them
about staying sober for the night with you.
I also make sure that
my phone is charged, so that I can
contact a sponsor or a friend who supports my sobriety.
If you don't get a hold of someone
right away, then send a text to someone else, or
call someone else.
Don't stop until you reach someone.
There's a couple of slogans I like to keep in my mind,
and my favourite one is “remember when”.
I think back to the days
when I was using and drinking,
and where that took me,
and I don't ever want to be there again.
I remind myself that first-things-first,
so first thing is I have to make sure that I feel
safe and comfortable in the environment.
Making sure that you
are putting your sobriety first,
make sure that you're putting your priorities first.
Have a slogan or a mantra.
Know your triggers.
Don't try to keep up.
Know your resources.
It's okay to leave.
Have an exit strategy.
You can't get drunk with a dick in your mouth.
Sober queer and trans people to exist.
Good job.
Thank you.
Dope.
Thanks.