#soberravers

The dictionary definition of a rave is “A lively party or gathering involving dancing and drinking,” but what if someone at a rave can’t drink? Cody Polchlopek knew that he couldn’t be the only one who was at these raves sober, so he created his own support group, Sober Ravers.

At the young age of seventeen Cody woke up in a jail cell and realized it was time to sober up. Cody remains tight lipped about the circumstances surrounding his arrest, but he describes how drugs and alcohol played a large role in his life, and as a result he became addicted. Cody is now four years, but at and the age of twenty-one living a sober lifestyle is difficult. For most twenty-one year olds social gatherings center around alcohol and recreational drug use leaving Cody feeling isolated. But Cody is passionate about attending raves despite their notorious drug and alcohol fueled crowds.

A rave is a type of music festival consisting of all different types of electric music. While some raves may be small and held at clubs or private residences, other raves can be at larger outdoor venues that hold thousands of people. Raves vary in length. Some raves are a single day event, and others are all weekend long event. Raves are held all around the world year round. Cody himself has not yet gotten the chance to travel outside of the United States for a rave, but he has traveled across the country.

Knowing that it was hard for Cody to be at raves surrounded by so many people who were high and drunk, he wanted to create something that would bring sober people together. He wanted other people who had similar struggles as him during raves to be able to “Know that they are not alone and that they have support.” The sober ravers Facebook group page gives the members a platform to connect and support one another no matter where they are in the country. Cody remained skeptical about gaining a following when he first created the page, but after only one month there are over two hundred members of the group from all over the country. On the page member’s network and post information about upcoming raves, support meetings, sober living, and personal experiences.

Cody envisioned a support group to be present with a sober raver at any moment or time to be able to contact fellow group members for support in those weak moments. When sober ravers are having trouble with their sobriety and have an urge to drink or do drug at a rave they reach out. Cody himself has had this experience. Cody stated that he posted on the sober ravers page, “Hey I want to get drunk right now, if I could get some help I need to be reminded why I’m sober,” and in response he received a lot of positive and helpful feedback. By posting his concerns in a place with people who are rooting for his sobriety, he was able to get the support he needed and still enjoy the show.

Cody has multiple resources in place to stay sober and when he is home he attends TSDD meetings. TSDD stands for “Tough Shit Don’t Drink”. These meetings are organized like AA meetings, following the same twelve-step program, but geared toward a younger population. The group has supported Cody, but when traveling for raves at different locations around the country he might need a closer support group. Through the sober raver page, people are able to post information about meetings near by for those who would like to attend. Although Cody has not used these resources so far the option gives him a sense of security when he finds himself struggling to choose sobriety. It also gives other sober ravers access to nearby resources.