Cigar Culture & Sobriety

In today’s world it’s safe to say that we all know someone who is sober (abstaining from alcohol or anything else that causes intoxication).  Some choose sobriety due to issues with substance abuse.  Others may choose a sober lifestyle for any number of reasons.  Whatever the case, many of our sober friends find enjoyment in the cigar culture.  I happen to be one of those friends.

 

Cigar Lounges are a Safe Haven

A cigar lounge has one primary purpose: provide a place to enjoy a cigar.  One of the struggles for those in the early stages of sobriety is how to occupy their time.  The long nights of partying and boozing are now behind us.  So now what do we do?  Where do we fit in?  Sitting at a bar or a nightclub ordering water and Red Bull all night doesn’t sound too appealing.   Fortunately, cigar lounges afford us an opportunity blend in with the crowd and be a part of the culture.  It’s all about the cigars at a cigar lounge.

But what about cigar lounges that serve alcohol?  Isn’t that a temptation?  Maybe.  Everyone’s journey in sobriety is different and we all need to set our own boundaries.  The truth is, sobriety doesn’t mean avoiding the mere sight of alcohol for the rest of our lives.  That’s impossible.  My best advice would be to know your own limitations.  The beauty of a cigar lounge is that the cigar always comes first.  What you’re smoking is usually the first topic of conversation.  As I said, it’s all about the cigars.

The Great Equalizer

Many have heard the saying, “cigars are the great equalizer.”  Cigar culture offers the opportunity for the rich to smoke with the poor, commoners to smoke with celebrities, and everything in between.  Your social status gets brushed to the side and what’s left is folks enjoying a cigar together.  I like to spend time with the regulars here at Smoke Inn Boynton Beach.  I could tell you what they smoke faster than I could tell you what they do for a living.  And we all prefer it that way.

This philosophy of “the great equalizer” is the perfect atmosphere for us sober folks.  There’s no judgement.  We’re all connected by our love of the leaf.  Some may pair their cigars with scotch.  I prefer a sparkling water.  The truth is nobody cares.  Let’s just enjoy our cigars together.  Judgement free.

Cigars & Your Favorite Pastime

One of the things those in early sobriety come to realize is that we have a lot of time to fill now that we’re not drunk or hungover.  It’s always great to pickup a new hobby.  As a city kid, I never got into fishing.  Living the sober life in Florida afforded me the perfect opportunity to give it a go.  Luckily, I could bring my new cigar passion along for the ride.

There’s something satisfying about being outdoors with a friend, rods in the water, enjoying a cigar.  Whether it’s a celebration or bonding time with a friend, a good cigar makes the time memorable.  Some of my favorite memories in sobriety have been around a cigar.

The key to successfully maintaining a sober lifestyle is filling the newfound time you have with positive activities.  Cigar culture can provide not only a hobby, but the perfect accompaniment to your new adventures.

 

 My Journey with Cigars & Sobriety

I still remember my first cigar in sobriety.  It was an Ashton Classic.  I was at a friend’s engagement party and we were all standing outside the restaurant where we just ate.  The cigars were handed out as the “obligatory masculine” thing to do.  Some took a few puffs and moved on.  A few of us found ourselves really enjoying the moment.  That was my introduction into cigar culture.  That was 13 years ago.

Fortunately, I had a few friends that were already into the cigar culture.  They happened to be sober as well.  They introduced me to some local cigar shops and versed me in the ways of the culture.  And yes, one of those shops happened to be Smoke Inn.  I was a customer long before I was The GOAT.

I dove into the culture as much as I could.  It provided me with a hobby and a passion that I was missing in life.  I began attending cigar events and frequenting shops as much as I could.  Little did I know, I would meet numerous other sober folks along the way.  We would enjoy our cigars and drink our waters together.  It felt like home.  It still does.