Hello my dear friends. If I had a nickel for every time I have heard someone wonder:
“Where is our sober third space??”
or
“How do I meet other sober people??”
…I’d have quite the pile of nickels.
It totally makes sense to feel lost, confused, and alone when we are transitioning out of our addiction. We spent a long time narrowing our social focus onto places and people that mirrored and validated our desire to use. Sometimes, we became so isolated that other people seemed like a different species. Of course, by the time we wake up to our new sober selves, we feel a bit lost and confused. Alone.
Here’s the cool thing about it, though. Planet earth is your sober third space. You belong everywhere you go. Yes, some social anxiety is bound to happen. And yes, you may go out there into the world and experience a total flop from time to time. None of this means that new friends and a satisfying social life are not available to you.
Go to the library or the co-op and check out the flyers. Sign up to volunteer somewhere. Take yourself out to something that aligns with your interests and values and see what happens! Walk your happy ass up to a human stranger and say, “Hey. I like your toad shirt.” Bit by bit, your world will start to open up. You’ll feel less awkward, start to recognize people, and begin to build bridges back to the world.
And y’all sober curious people of Northwest Arkansas are lucky as hell…
…because Recovery Demystified has sober social events planned just for you. We have a really special community of folks who are excited to meet you and help you network with other people in recovery. We all take our anxiety out there into the world and hold each other exactly as we are.
Join us Sunday 3/22/26 at Sidecar Cocktail Lounge for a mocktail happy hour. Yes, sober people even belong at the bar. We belong everywhere we go. First mocktail is on us!
May you be happy and free, dear reader.
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This week the podcast episode is more secret recovery resources that actually help. Expand your recovery with new tools and tricks. Click here to listen!
Support groups are still every Monday at 6pm at The Library Vintage in Fayetteville, AR.
