Let’s get real: I’ve been on my “sobriety journey” for nearly 50 years… but that doesn’t mean I’ve been sober for 50 years. Turns out, sobriety isn’t like riding a bike—it takes a little more than a helmet and balance. Especially when you’re older. Face it, the older you get, the harder it is to change your ways. We’ve got decades of learned behaviors, habits, and social norms under our belts. Not to mention, we’re pretty attached to the whole “wine goes with everything” philosophy.

I’m about to turn 70, which is wild to me. I honestly don’t think I’d have made it this far if I hadn’t quit drinking. I mean, it’s not like I have the fitness regimen of Jane Fonda or the skincare routine of Cher. My secret to longevity is pretty simple: no booze. (Okay, and maybe switching from bacon to turkey bacon helped a little.)

Sober After 50

If you’ve ever considered getting sober, you’ve probably wondered, What will my life even look like? Can you imagine mowing the lawn without a beer in hand? Or sitting through a football game without a cold one? Or surviving a wedding without champagne? And let’s not forget the ultimate challenge: a kid’s birthday party where the parents hit the punch harder than the piñata.

When I first sobered up, I realized just how much of my life revolved around alcohol. Everything from watching TV to celebrating a random Thursday seemed to include a drink or three. It was like my motto was: “If I’m awake, it’s happy hour somewhere.”

So, how do you say no to all that? It’s not easy, but I’ve got a couple of tricks up my sleeve that helped me. Stay tuned—you might just find your new go-to moves for sidestepping the wine aisle and surviving those “just one drink won’t hurt” moments.

Spoiler alert: it’s easier when you stop believing that cocktails are an acceptable substitute for actual hydration.

Here are a few of my tried-and-true (and fun) suggestions for conquering the alcohol demon when you’re old enough to know better:

1. Have a Game Plan (a.k.a., Outwit the Wine Glass)

• Social Events: Treat the party like a covert mission. Scope out the non-alcoholic options like they’re treasure chests. Bring your own sparkling water in a fancy bottle and act like it’s from some exclusive Himalayan spring. When someone offers you booze, flash a big smile and say, “No thanks, I’m drinking something that won’t make me text my ex at midnight.”
• At Home: If you don’t buy the wine, you can’t drink the wine. Replace it with something more fun—like kombucha, where every sip makes you feel like a health guru.

2. Stress? Distract Yourself With Shenanigans

• When life gets stressful, don’t let alcohol be your go-to. Instead, dive into something ridiculous: binge-watch a cooking show and then try to replicate a soufflé (failure is part of the fun). Or have a solo dance-off to your favorite old-school jams. Stress will run for cover when it sees your moves.
• If that doesn’t work, pull out your journal and rant like you’re writing a dramatic soap opera script. It’s cathartic, and you might accidentally create a Netflix hit.

3. Assemble Your “Sober Squad” (a.k.a., Partners in Crime-Free Living)

• Social Events: Roll up with a sober buddy who loves to crack jokes. When someone asks why you’re not drinking, let them respond with, “Because she’s allergic to hangovers, bad decisions, and karaoke regrets.”
• At Home: Call that one friend who can make you laugh until you snort. Or, better yet, join a group of women who’ve mastered the art of laughing in the face of stress. Bonus: no one in your sober squad will judge if you’ve stress-eaten an entire bowl of popcorn (or two).

Life’s too short to let booze ruin your chances of having fun – especially when there are so many other ways to make questionable decisions!

Linda,

Your Faucet of HOPE for Recovery