Discover how to happily live a substance-free life in college.

Not drinking in college can feel like an unlikely choice when, in fact, it’s actually pretty common.

College campuses are ideal places for people choosing to stay away from drugs and alcohol.

They’re filled with intellectual diversity, community engagement, and, most of all, fun. All without the use of drugs and alcohol.

Plus, not being hungover and enjoying your day is actually pretty great. 

Read on for suggestions on what to do if you don’t drink or use drugs in college.

10 things to do when you don’t drink in college

1. Attend a Concert

Most concerts these days are open to 16 +  or even all ages. They offer a fun-filled evening filled with other people — some who are drinking, many of whom are not.

While you probably will get a giant X on your hand, other than that, the music and the sweaty crowds are all yours!

Many colleges and universities offer free or discounted concert tickets for their students. Check out your local listings.

2. Go to a Sporting Event

While I only attended one sporting event during my entire college career at Boston University, I remember being impressed with the crowd size, the lights, the action, and the spectacle of it all! And it was free!

The stadium was packed with community members and students collectively cheering on the boys.

Not for me, but I can totally see why people get into it.

Collective yelling and excitement?

Yes, please! 

3. Join A Club

This one may seem obvious, but it really is a great place to start. I always think about a phrase from Ayurvedic yoga, “LIKE ATTRACTS LIKE.”

Surround yourself with like-minded people who are having fun without substances, and you’ll find your social life filled without having to work too hard.

Test out a few clubs, most of them are, again, free.

4. Start A Club

Can’t find a club that works for you? Start one! Most colleges offer resources for getting things up and running, plus it will look great on a resume.

5. Attend A Comedy Night

When I was in graduate school, I loved attending The University of Colorado Boulder’s improv night. For $5 I had guaranteed two hours of laughs and fun with my friends.

If you live in a town with a thriving comedy scene, who knows, you may even see the next SNL star, who knows!

6. Go Camping

Again, not for me, but people go ga-ga for camping in Colorado.

It really does occupy your whole weekend, including packing, meals, and nature! No time or need for substances. 

7. Get A Job In The Service Industry

Your busy nights will coincide with the party nights on campus. You won’t feel lonely or like you’re missing out because you’ll have a community of coworkers with you at the restaurant or bar you’re working with.

Plus, it’s a great way to make friends!

8. Go To Parties, But Don’t Drink (More On That Later)

Being around people who are drinking underage when you are underage age as well can be tricky (read below for more info).

For simplicity’s sake, a general rule of thumb is you should only go to parties with alcohol present when you are legal - 21 years or older. If you’re comfortable being around people who are drinking, there’s no reason you need to drink as well. 

Try the age-old trick of filling a solo cup with water to stop people from asking you constantly if you want a drink. Plus, if you’re sober, it’s much easier to say no to a drink than when you’ve already had a few.

9. Connect With A Collegiate Recovery Center

College campuses usually offer recovery centers - in Colorado, CU Boulder has a Sober Buffs community, and the University of Denver has a Collegiate Recovery Center.

These are communities for like-minded people who aren’t using substances, and the university funds them! They offer great events, a sense of community, and connection.

10. Attend a Lecture

Here’s a secret: many “older” adults and people who live in college towns take full advantage of all the activities going on at campuses.

Most colleges and universities host various lecturers worldwide, open largely to the public. If you’re studying macroeconomics, why not attend a philosophy lecture or learn about the microbiome in the Great Coral Reef?

Expand your horizons and take advantage of this wealth of knowledge at your fingertips; who knows if it could change the course of your life.

Plus, it may be the only time you’re living that close to a college campus in your life.

Can you get in trouble at a party if you’re not drinking?

Ah, the age-old question. And the age-old answer, it’s unclear. 

In Colorado, the statute is written in such a way that anyone who’s in the presence of a substance can receive a Minor In Possession (MIP).

Presence could be the room you’re in, even if you haven’t consumed any alcohol. 

Through my work with college students who received substance use infractions, I’ve encountered more than a few students who received a MIP for having substances on “their vessel,” meaning they did not have any substances on them.

Still, their body was considered a vessel, and therefore they possessed the drug.

So, if you decide to drink only 1-2 shots and then head out in public, yes, you can get an MIP because your body is possessing it.

That being said, the statute is confusing, the vessel language is confusing, and the police forces across Colorado are not consistent.

A good rule of thumb is to conduct yourself in a way that you’d be proud of the next day.

Surround yourself with quality people and make smart decisions (which you should be able to do if you’re sober). 

Not drinking in college

For more ideas on what to do if you’re not drinking in college, contact your campus health and wellness center. They should be able to connect you to resources within the community, and if they aren’t able to, what a cool opportunity to start something at your campus. 

If you are interested in more additional one-on-one support with substance use recovery or cutting back in a way that works for you, we offer individual virtual therapy sessions. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation.

Julie Goldberg is a licensed therapist and the founder of Third Nature Therapy. Her practice focuses on helping individuals better understand their inner world, befriend their nervous system (instead of working against it), and navigate changing relationships. She offers somatic therapy, EMDR intensives, and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy in Brooklyn, NY.