Party Sober on YouTube
For people trying to seek like-minded folks that choose to party sober, it may be difficult to find helpful resources and tips from others who can empathize and understand this choice. However, there are wonderful resources that can assure you that you are not alone and can provide some insight into partying sober. Social media sites like YouTube can be a used as a tool for people that choose to commit to a sober lifestyle whether they are in recovery, or just dislike the affects of alcohol on their body, mind and spirit.
While searching for good resources on YouTube, I came across a number of spoofs about maintaining sobriety at a party. These parodies poke fun of the person who is not drinking, and either make them appear as a freak or a geek, or the videos lampoon the miserable sober driver at the fun party that needs to eat ice cream in an isolated corner while everyone else has fun. These videos are a mirror for the reactions of partygoers in real life to a person who chooses not to partake in drinking and the feelings of alienation of the sober partier.
JamesChats expresses through his vlog what it’s like to be sober. In the video the camera focuses on twenty four year old James wearing a baseball tee, whoop-dee hair and a day old beard. He presents himself as an average 24 year old man, and his ability to speak right into the camera with no other distractions, makes his audience buy into his authenticity and honesty. James “opens up a bit to talk about what its like for me to go to a party when I live a life of sobriety.” His goal is to make people understand how difficult this choice can be, based on people’s harsh reactions when he declines a drink. These reactions range from the simply, “Oh why don’t you drink?” to the extreme, “What the f**k is wrong with you?” James explains how these reactions make him feel “isolated, alienated and down right a freak.” Despite the discouraging and uncomfortable experiences, James keeps trying in the hopes of finding like-minded people who understand and accept him.
Klean Radio, another YouTube source is an excellent channel hosted by Andrew Spanswick, and Pat O’Brien. The show deals primarily with the issues surrounding recovering from drugs and alcohol, and brings in different guests including comedians, musicians, actors and doctors. Although the show is geared mostly towards those in recovery, some of their programming focuses on staying sober at a party, and provides tips and advice for those hoping to feel a little less left out. One great tip offered on Klean Radio by Andrew Spanswick was “show up with a drink in your hand.” A guest suggested bringing a cooler of Mountain Dew, something he practices on a regular basis.
Spanswick offers additional advise to continue socializing at parties if you can get past the “first two drinks” people start to lose their inhibitions and do not pay attention to your lack of alcohol. Spanswick wisely provides insight into why there is peer pressure for everyone to drink at the party, and essentially it is based on the drinkers wanting to feel “comfortable.” The drinkers do not want to be judged, but neither do the sober partiers.
The stories and experiences shared on YouTube about partying sober are real people who simply choose not to partake in drinking alcohol for many the most essential part of partying. YouTube can be a great resource for the person who needs support or encouragement about choosing sobriety. Although you may come across some ridiculous videos on YouTube, in the midst of it all you can find some extremely helpful and insightful videos on how to party sober, and not feel alone. The people posting true authentic videos sincerely create a comforting and inspirational resource for sobriety; and they succeed because they understand the struggle.
