Do you live in Southern California? Do you consider yourself a foodie? Are you interested in living a sober life?
This article discusses some of the top sober living tips for foodies in Southern California. You may not be able to employ all of them in your daily life, but it only takes one to improve your situation as a whole. Let’s take a closer look.
1. Compare Restaurants in and Around the Area
It doesn’t matter if you’re seeking a restaurant for a romantic night on the town or to enjoy the company of friends, it’s important that you know what’s available to you. Getting started is as simple as conducting a quick online search, reading reviews, and of course, visiting some restaurants in person.
If you need a push in the right direction, here are some restaurants to consider:
- Providence in Los Angeles
- Sushi Nakazawa in Beverly Hills
- Vespertine in Culver City
- Trois Mec in Los Angeles
- Mozza Restaurant Group in Los Angeles
The more of these establishments you visit, the easier it becomes to determine where you want to spend your time in the future.
Tip: don’t skip over a restaurant because it doesn’t appear to suit your fancy at first glance. There’s no way of knowing what a restaurant has to offer until you experience it yourself.
2. Stay Away from Temptation
You want to enjoy the many restaurants the area has to offer, but as someone attempting to remain sober, there’s something else on your mind: avoiding temptation. This means visiting establishments where you can focus on having a good time, never thinking about what the drink menu has to offer.
If you question your ability to resist temptation, consider visiting restaurants that don’t serve alcohol. This is the best way to ensure that you don’t slip up.
3. Focus on the Food, not the Drinks
As a foodie, stick to what you know best: the food that a restaurant has to offer. Forget about alcoholic beverages. Don’t give them a second thought. Review the menu, consider all your options, and ask questions. Do whatever it takes to focus on the food, not the alcoholic beverages.
You love to visit restaurants, enjoy the experience, and take in the cuisine. Stick to that and leave the alcohol to somebody else.
Here are some starter ideas:
- Cafe Gratitude: A vegan restaurant with multiple locations in Los Angeles.
- Real Food Daily: A plant-based restaurant with locations in West Hollywood and Santa Monica.
- Tasty Goody: A Chinese vegetarian restaurant in San Gabriel.
- Sip Cafe: A juice bar and cafe in West Hollywood.
As you experience these restaurants, you’ll find that you’re not thinking about alcohol. Instead, you’re focused on the food, the atmosphere, and your company. And that’s what truly matters the most.
Food is a Good Distraction
A big part of staying sober is keeping your mind off of alcohol. As the days turn to weeks and the weeks turn to months, you’ll find that you no longer crave alcohol like you once did.
If you consider yourself a foodie, use that to your advantage when seeking a distraction. This may be all that you need to reap the benefits of sobriety such as:
- Improved physical health: Sobriety can lead to improved overall health and well-being, as alcohol and drug use can have negative effects on the body.
- Increased clarity and focus: Sobriety can help clear the mind, leading to better concentration, focus, and decision-making abilities.
- Stronger relationships: Substance use can strain relationships with loved ones, friends, and colleagues. Sobriety can help to improve these relationships and create deeper connections with others.
With a love of food and restaurants, you have everything you need to occupy your mind, enjoy yourself, and live the life you’re dreaming of.
Final Thoughts
With the above tips in mind, you can continue to live the “foodie lifestyle” without putting your sobriety at risk. It may seem like an overwhelming challenge at first, but slow and steady wins the race. With each passing day, it becomes easier to stay the course.
Of course, if you need additional help, don’t hesitate to seek out rehab near Laguna Beach, Long Beach, Palm Springs, or whatever location is most convenient for you.
Photo by Pablo Merchán Montes on Unsplash.
