Should I Go? How to Make Smart Decisions in Early SobrietyShould I Go? How to Make Smart Decisions in Early Sobriety
Addiction Unlimited
Angela Pugh talks through how to decide whether to attend alcohol-centred events in early sobriety, focusing on self-trust, honest motives, and practical planning. The conversation frames the first year as practice season, where saying no and protecting sobriety matter more than proving strength or fitting in.
36:00•3 Jun 2026
Should I Go? Making Sober-Safe Choices in Early Recovery
Episode Overview
- In early sobriety, the top priority is not drinking, and every decision about events should be filtered through that single aim.
- If there is any doubt about being able to stick to a plan under pressure, the safer choice is not to go.
- Secret sobriety leaves people unprotected; sharing honestly with at least some others can reduce risk in social situations.
- A clear, detailed plan – including transport, exit time, what to drink, and who to contact – is essential and must be followed, not just imagined.
- Early recovery is “practice season”, where self-trust is built by keeping small promises, even when that means saying no and shrinking social life for a while.
“You are not trying to prove you’re strong. You’re trying to stay sober. Those are very different things.”
Curious about how others manage their sobriety in social situations packed with booze and pressure? This episode of Addiction Unlimited zooms in on that classic early-recovery question: “Should I go?” Whether it’s a birthday, wedding, girls’ weekend, or boozy brunch, Angela Pugh breaks down how to make decisions that keep sobriety front and centre, without feeling like you’ve sentenced yourself to a lifetime on the sofa.
Speaking as a coach and recovering alcoholic, Angela keeps it straight: “Your whole focus, your entire job right now is not drinking. That’s it. That’s the job.” She walks through five simple questions to ask before saying yes to any event, starting with whether alcohol is the main event and whether the people there truly respect a “no”. You’ll hear her draw sharp lines between confidence and recklessness, and between genuine self-trust and ego-driven “I’ll be fine” thinking.
Angela points out that “going somewhere to prove a point is not a recovery plan” and challenges the habit of keeping sobriety a secret, reminding listeners that “you cannot be angry at anyone but yourself when you go somewhere you had no business being and someone offers you a drink and you drink it.” She also reframes early sobriety as “practice season” – the time to build self-trust through small, consistent actions like leaving early when you said you would, or choosing not to go when you know you’re not ready.
A big theme here is honesty. With plenty of humour, tough love, and practical examples, this episode speaks directly to anyone in early sobriety who feels torn between protecting their recovery and keeping up with their old social life. If you’re asking yourself “Should I go?”, maybe the better question is: “Do I trust myself enough to stay sober if I do?”
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