In the early days of sobriety, some recovering addicts choose to avoid situations or events that may include alcohol. It can be easier to resist temptation when you aren’t tempted in the first place. But after a while, it can be a bit isolating to feel left out. You want to get back out there and have fun! And it’s totally possible to navigate social situations without alcohol. It might just take a little practice at first.

Here are some tips:

1. Rehearse what you’ll say. Yup, that’s right. You can literally “rehearse” what you’ll tell people when you tell them you are not drinking. Maybe you’ll say something like “I’m not drinking tonight” (you don’t have to say that it’s forever). Maybe you’ll just want to say something as simple as “no thanks.”

2. Have a drink in hand. Having something else to drink, like seltzer or juice, is just one way to divert the questions you might receive. No one will ask why you’re not drinking, but they don’t have to know that you’re not drinking alcohol.

3. Play the tape forward. What will happen if you drink that night? Will you be able to stop? Will a normal get-together turn you into a drunken mess? If the answer to those questions is more often “yes” than “no,” then it’s important to focus on the future. If not drinking means you won’t have negative consequences, then it’s crucial to stay on track.

4. Leave. Yes, when the going gets rough, and you’re feeling too tempted, it might be time to exit the situation. And that’s okay—sometimes it takes a while before you feel okay being out in situations with alcohol.

No matter how uncomfortable you feel when first entering sobriety after recovering from substance use disorder, just remember, at some point sobriety will feel natural, like a second skin. And socializing won’t feel so overwhelming again. It just takes time.