- At the core of The Pathway Program’s approach is the philosophy that teenagers and young adults need to have fun in order to recover from drug and alcohol use.
- The specifics of our sober social activities will vary week to week, but they are most commonly held on Friday and Saturday nights from 7:30pm – 10:30pm.
- The sober social events are commonly referred to as “Functions” and the specifics of each Function will be announced each week in the Parent Support Group Meetings.
Sober social events and sober fun are also one of the six pillars of the alternative peer group model.
Why Are Sober Social Events & Activities on Fridays and Saturdays?
While by no means the rule, most people who begin to use drugs and alcohol begin to do so on the weekends. Though drug and alcohol use tends to eventually seep into other times and days during the week, most young people began using drugs by looking forward to a Friday night party or by waiting to hang out with their new using buddies on a Saturday night.
As young people quit drugs and alcohol, often Friday and Saturday evenings are the toughest times to resist the temptation to reconnect with old drug using buddies, especially since those using buddies are usually out partying on the weekends as well.
This presents a tough predicament for a young person who is sincerely working to disconnect from using friends and stay clean and sober. At The Pathway Program, we attempt to fill the drug using void created by the weekend with fun sober social events that young people can enjoy and look forward to. Each and every weekend includes two different events that vary week to week.
Front Wheel Drive Recovery Vs Rear Wheel Drive Recovery
In enthusiastic sobriety, we regularly use the expression “front wheel drive” sobriety to describe the motivation of young people to quit using drugs and alcohol. What we mean by this is that young people who stay sober often do so because they feel they have something to look forward to. A classic example would be staying sober because of an upcoming event or opportunity. At The Pathway Program, we want to continually give young people things to look forward to.
Examples of Sober Social Activities Hosted by The Pathway Program
Sober social activities, or weekly functions, can include:
- Game shows (Family Feud, Deal or No Deal, etc.)
- Talent shows
- Scavenger hunts
- Themed dances
- Movie nights
- Sports (indoor soccer, softball, etc)
- … and many more!
Every year, we also plan several larger sober social activities, such as:
- Weekend campouts
- Beach trips
- New Year’s Eve events