Staying sober is hard enough as it is, but when wedding season starts, it can feel impossible.
Trust us, it is absolutely doable to stay sober long-term, even with all the summer events that might tempt you.
That said, for anyone with dependence or addiction, professional help is needed. If you’re struggling to give up drugs or alcohol, please reach out to one of our advisors on 0800 140 4690 (UK) or +44 345 222 3508 (international).
We understand, we empathise, and we’re here to help you out of it.
Summer’s finally here, and we’ve waited long enough! The season of picnics, barbecues and long walks in nature is upon us…but let’s talk about what comes with that.
Summer is one of the hardest times of year for people to stay sober. We’ve got beer gardens, festivals and weddings around every corner.
Of course you can enjoy these events without alcohol, but let’s not beat around the bush. It can be incredibly challenging to resist alcohol when everyone around you is drinking.
The most important step you can take ahead of these events is to plan. Don’t just wait until you get there and decide how you feel. If you know you want to stay sober, or reduce your drinking, set some boundaries before you’re even faced with the temptation (keep reading for some ideas!)
When everyone around you is drinking, it can feel like you have no option but to drink. This is never the case. However, it doesn’t stop the feeling from occurring.
Watching people drinking and enjoying themselves can trigger FOMO (fear of missing out), and this can set people back significantly in their sobriety. You may fear that you won’t be able to have a good time without alcohol, or that you’ll be perceived as less fun.
Another common challenge is anxiety. Plenty of people drink to escape social anxiety, or even low-level nerves, and they may have taught their brain over time that they can’t relax in a social setting without drinking.
Finally, drinking is a habit for many of us, particularly when we’re celebrating something. Choosing to not drink can feel like you’re taking yourself out of the celebration.
Here are some truths to stop your mind from spiralling before your next sober social event:
Setting boundaries is the best way to enjoy your summer without falling into the temptation of drinking.
Whenever you get an invitation to an event, plan ahead by:
It’s significantly easier to stay sober when you’ve already planned how you’re going to approach the evening.
Giving something up is bound to feel like a loss. When you stay in that mindset, it’s tricky to stay sober, as you’ll always view alcohol as something you’re missing out on.
Instead, try to shift your mindset. You’re not missing out on drinking, you’re making a healthy choice to not drink. In other words, the alcohol isn’t in control, you are.
When you’re in control, the outcome is a healthier, happier you.
That’s not to say that no one should ever drink, but if you’re battling addiction, sobriety is always going to be the best choice you can make for yourself.
Don’t think there’ll be no reward, either. Staying sober during summer events is a sacrifice, but it also brings many benefits, such as:
Not all summer events will come with the same risk of temptation. As you get ready to live it up in the sun, take some time to consider these high-risk situations.
These are the types of situations that you might need to avoid entirely (if you’re early in recovery, or vulnerable for another reason), or attend with much more caution.
When there’s no clear end time to an event, it’s much harder to say no to alcohol. You may stay for a long time, get tired, and feel less motivated to stay sober. In this state, you’ll also be more vulnerable to peer pressure.
Events such as stag dos/hen dos and bottomless brunches are some of the highest risk situations for people trying to stay sober.
The goal is often to get as drunk as possible, and whilst it may be possible to avoid alcohol, it’s one of the most difficult environments to do that in.
You may need to avoid these events at all costs, or at least set very clear boundaries ahead of time, and stay accountable to someone.
If you’re drinking with people you don’t know very well, there’s no guarantee that they’ll respect your decision to stay sober, and that they won’t try to get you to drink.
Being with close friends or family who are openly supportive of you makes a huge difference.
Your schedule may already be packed with alcohol-focused events, but what about sober socials?
This summer, plenty of Brits will be enjoying the nice weather without touching a drop of alcohol. You can join them!
If you live in or near a city, there are likely to be sober socials you can attend, designed for people who are abstaining from alcohol for various personal reasons.
These events can be incredibly fun, encouraging people to get together and wind down without relying on alcohol. Some sober activities you might be able to attend are:
Most of these activities are very accessible, which is good news for those of you in rural areas. It means you can implement them yourself without needing to attend an organised event!
Have a look at your diary and get intentional about sober outings. Try to incorporate as many sober activities as you reasonably can into your summer. You never know, it could end up being the best summer of your life.
As you head into this challenging time for sobriety, take initiative and start setting boundaries ahead of each summer event.
We know it’s a struggle, but you can lean on us for support. Our initial advice is deeply valued by our clients, and many ultimately choose to journey with us, enabling us to pair them with an outstanding addiction treatment facility.
Interested? Don’t hesitate to call us on 0800 140 4690 (UK) or +44 345 222 3508 (international).
Below, we answer some common questions around this topic:
Alcohol-free drinks are a great alternative for some people. They can mimic the feeling of relaxing with a drink, as well as making it easier for sober individuals to “fit in”.
Sales of nonalcoholic beer, wine and spirits were up more than 40% between 2021 and 2023, which shows these drinks are an increasingly popular choice (1).
However, they’re not for everyone. Some people can be triggered by alcohol-free drinks, as they’re a strong reminder of addiction.
If you don’t want to opt for alcohol-free drinks, it’s okay to stick to whatever you prefer, even if that’s just water.
If you don’t feel that you’d be able to stay sober during a summer event, and you’re someone who’s experienced addiction, we’d strongly recommend turning down the invitation.
No event, no matter how fun or important, is worth risking your sobriety for. Even if you feel guilty for saying no, please keep in mind that a supportive friend or family member would rather you put your health first.
[1] https://www.apa.org/monitor/2025/01/sober-curious-alcohol-moderation
June 22, 2026
June 14, 2026
