Rethinking Friendship: Alcohol, Companionship, and The Pursuit of Authentic Living
Have you ever paused and reflected on why you drink alcohol? Is it because all your friends are doing it and you fear that making the healthier choice of quitting will cost you their company?
This is a predicament faced by many, but the real question is — are these people truly your friends if they support your destructive behavior instead of your personal wellness? It’s time to acknowledge a hard truth: if the only connection you share with your companions is through the equal consumption of alcohol, then perhaps they aren’t your genuine friends.
In such relationships, the alcohol serves as a bonding agent, creating an illusion of camaraderie. Take away the drink and the connection might vanish. Ask yourself, would you genuinely hang out with these people in a sober state?
Are you truly attracted to them beyond the blurry haze of alcohol? If the answer is no, then that’s a clear signal telling you they’re not truly part of your authentic circle.
One of the harsh realities of an alcohol-centric friendship is the competitive nature of its foundations. Often, such relationships are built around seeing who can consume more alcohol — a dangerous game of Russian roulette.
These aren’t the type of people who’d want to see you win or get better. The simple reason being, your betterment might reflect poorly on them, exposing their own weaknesses.
Coming face-to-face with such revelations can be daunting. The fear of loneliness can be overwhelming, but here’s the thing — loneliness with alcohol is no different from loneliness without it.
Either you’re artificially connected to people through the illusion that alcohol provides, or you connect genuinely with yourself, free from the influence of alcohol. Choosing the latter allows you to reclaim your identity and start living an authentic life.
Deciding to quit alcohol and take care of yourself is a courageous act. It might feel like you’re losing friends, but in reality, you’re shedding unhealthy connections and moving towards a life worth loving.
If those friends can’t support your journey, then perhaps they weren’t true friends to begin with. If all of this resonates with you, remember help is always available for those who are ready to embark on a journey beyond sober.
