My answer is that it is always temporary. It is only for today that I know I can't drink, and I pray that tomorrow I will be able to not drink for one more day.

I would not call it a booze vacation, but hey, if that helps keep you sober and not drinking for one more day, who the hell cares is what I say.

I don't tell everyone that I am an alcoholic. Those who know me know that I am one and they know why I ask for a Topochico or fizzy water or diet coke instead of a booze drink these days.

Those that want to understand more may ask and I will talk with them about my journey. But I am not telling my customers, or the check out person at the store, or the waitstaff at the restaurant, that I am an alcoholic. It is none of their business.

Do what you have to do. We all have our personal little "go to's" to keep us from dirnking, be it praying, eating chocolate or other food, working out, taking a walk, meditating, going to a meeting of your choice, calling a friend, journaling, or whatever else floats your boat.

Just don't drink today. If it is because you are on a vacation, then make it today's vacation. Then be on vacation first thing in the morning. Make is a life time vacation one day at a time.

The thoughts will stop if your ready.

I was ready 9 years ago...the first year was a struggle.
But, if your ready...you will do it and the more support you have...the better..

AA..your Mom....people here...the more cheerleaders the better.
Congrats on 2 weeks...that's such an awesome feeling...right?

I think it is too much pressure to think about long term. I focused on that day. Just get through today. Deal with tomorrow, tomorrow. You can't worry about what will happen tomorrow or next week if you just focus on what you can do today. Day by day you get more confidence in yourself. Even though we have never met or spoken to each other, I am proud of you, you can do it. Don't worry about letting people down. Focus on getting yourself better and focus on today.

Thank you all .. Some words of wisdom for the day that I thought I'd share. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble...". Matthew 6:34

I tried that for a while before my drinking really took its toll. The problem was I was fooling myself, giving myself permission to drink again later. Of course my head was telling me I had an alibi for when/if I drank again. It's really subtle - the personal subterfuge. I was not in my right mind for all those years. If I still felt booze calling after all this time I would be exhausted and crazy from all that mental angst,

What to do? I went through a programme of recovery (AA) which gave me a solution that brought about the end of my drinking problem. Free of that I was able to learn how to enjoy being a new me and improve my thinking and behaviour on a daily basis. There was simply no other way for me - I was seriously at the end of my rope.

I had to get to a point where I wanted sobriety more than anything. I hope you find that point too.

Just do it. Let the cat out of the bag. It's such a relief
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It made recovery a lot more possible because I had shut that door

I knew when I quit that it was forever and that made it easier for me. That voice still came up sometimes -- "How can I do this? What if I drink again?" I had to let that go and be back in the moment of "I am not drinking right now."

I like that verse from Matthew. That's a good reminder. If you do tell people you are on a booze vacation make sure you add something like --" I hate how I feel when I drink. Life is so much better without it." I think that will help you realize that it is more than a vacation, it is a much better way to live.