Alcoholism Support Group

Alcoholism is the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages, even when it is negatively affecting your health, work, relationships and life. If you think alcohol is causing you to lose control, it's time to seek help. Our group is a safe place to vent, check in, get back up if you fall, and reach sobriety.

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GOODBYE day 4, you were awful

justsukie
justsukie
OK Day 5 here you are. You're already better than day 4 because you don't come with flushed, clammy sweating, headache and nausea. Thank you for that. Goodbye day 4, you really sucked.

Hi everyone - day 5 here I come. I must tell you, when I'm feeling my lowest (and today was a challenge with my ongoing divorce) I think of you. Perhaps when you think about the painful stories you've shared it helps to know they benefited someone, somehow.

It truly makes me feel that I'm not alone, I'm not the first to be going through this, and that there are people out there to be accountable to - even via cyberspace.

I've decided to take several peoples advice and NOT binge drink over the weekend, like my original goal was,. My goal was to not drink for a week, and then drink over the weekend to "enjoy myself". You all are so right, I think it would erase the hard work I've put in the last 5 days.

QUESTION: I've been invited out for lunch and dinner (two!) on Saturday with girlfriends and then to the football game on Sunday. All will involve alcohol. All people I will be joining come from a long line of drinkers and it's a huge part of their lives.

What is the best way to handle this? I've accepted all three offers and am so very much looking forward to getting out after these last 3 weeks.

Thank you everyone... be well, Be happy. One day at a time.
justsukie
justsukie
acck.... scratch that. GOODBYE DAY 3, and onto DAY 4.

Sorry all... part of the fun of working overnight is that you go to work one day, and return the next. Throws off your day-clock. Monday, 3 days ago, was the first day of my journey without any alcohol.
Community LeaderExJerseyGirl2
ExJerseyGirl2
If you are going out and are going to be with people who are drinking, be prepared. Go through it mentally. Make sure you are okay with being around drinkers without drinking. If you are shaky or unsure about it, then cancel your plans and do not go.

If you do go, drink lots of club soda with lime or similar drink -- I used to keep a drink in my hand. Make sure you eat well. Have an escape excuse -- if it gets difficult for you, leave. Get your head on straight about it -- you are not missing a thing by not drinking. You don't need to drink to have fun -- life is more fun without it!

Think about how you will answer if people ask you why you aren't drinking. If they are friends they might not let it go if you say, "No thanks." You can say things like, "I am taking a break from it," or "I've been getting sick when I drink so I am stopping," or "I have a drinking problem and I no longer drink. I am fine with you drinking, but please support me in my decision and don't push me to drink." Or whatever feels comfortable.
ericmontgomery0789
ericmontgomery0789
I agree to ExJerseyGirl. Make ways to say "no". Don't throw away your progress coz you don't want to discourage them. Even that can mean you're not belong, at least you know that's the best decision. You know better. That's the truth. The truth is alcohol slowly kills human. Do not be persuaded by what they will say, but rather stand firm on your decision. You can do it! :)
jeffneedshelp
jeffneedshelp
Skip the football watching. If the game is important, invite a friend over who may understand what you're going through.

Don't go around alcohol unless there's a legitimate reason.
phranque
phranque
Good Day Just Sukie, All these changes you're going through sound enormously challenging. But you seem incredibly strong, and well equipped to overcome them. Prove it to Yourself! You've survived these past 3 days (and into the 4th) for you. You certainly have earned a day of (Sober) celebration. But ask yourself, "Am I going to this friend's party for Me, or for Them? Its OK to be "selfish" about your own sobriety. Its SUPPOSED to be all about You! If you think you can handle this party...Go for You, Stay for You, or Leave for You. If you think its too soon to challenge that badass "Temptation", then make your apologies and stay home. After all, you've been sick. I wasn't strong enough to do what you're suggesting until I'd been sober a year! There will be other opportunities to celebrate with your friends. But now is your best opportunity to celebrate You by giving yourself the gift of Sobriety.
Tedward
Tedward
Here is what would happen to me at less than a week sober! I would go, and about 30 mins, maybe an hour...and that little asshole that sits on my shoulder would say to me "Last, Ted, it has only been 4 days! You can drink today and start over tomorrow! C'mon man!" Lol Yeah right! Just a little enlightenment into my Alcoholic obsessed brain! Choose for yourself, I couldn't do it!
Koyu
Koyu
I used to do the sandwich approach. Before the event, connect even online your plans, when the temptation comes up during the event, connect with a fellow sober alcoholic by phone or email and then report afterwards to someone.

Knowing that I was not alone helped me a lot in social events.

Like other people suggested, have a club soda in your hand and be sure to eat when you are hungry. I know for myself that if I am full, the temptation to drink decreases. And if you are not a diabetic, eating something sweet helps in a pinch like candy or cookies.

Take care and Congratulations on Day 5!
Magpie2
Magpie2
F' N four!
billwfriend
billwfriend
hugs
Community Leaderbobinmaine
bobinmaine
HUGE triggers being around other drinking people. I remember when I was in relapse prevention group counseling, we would develop a plan of what to do when faced with a trigger and we would practice it with others in the group by role playing. It was extremely useful.

Like in football, we had a play to run against anything the other team did.

If you can get through the weekend without a drink then you will have won the game!

God Bless!
parthgalen
parthgalen
Hi there! - This will be a huge test and having an NA drink in your hands like a club soda or whatever at all times is one easy step to implement. Making sure that you have driven there yourself (so that you need not rely on anyone else for a ride home) is also key. It's easy for me to rant and say "Are you crazy?!! Do NOT risk your very, very fragile sobriety. It's NOT worth it." etc. etc. Bottom line is you are going to do what you are going to do. For me, I was very open with my close friends that I had crossed a line somewhere and had been drinking "alcoholically" and jsut cutting back was not an option for me any more. Everyone was hugely supportive and nobody pressured me to drink. It also was liberating for me to just get it out there and I think has helped me to stay sober. I wasn't hiding the level of my drinking anymore. I did most of my REAL drinking alone... We're with you and you can have a good time without the booze. Scratch that -- you can have a GREAT time and remember it and NOT feel like crap as well as guilty for the next few days. You CAN do this. Hugs, PG
Community LeaderExJerseyGirl2
ExJerseyGirl2
On my Day 4 I was at a family celebration with lots of drinking, including toasts and with served with dinner. In my first months my job required me to be around drinking and I was around it with friends.

I never came close to picking up a drink in those situations. I was certain in my decision to quit planned it out to make sure I would be okay. The harder times were after I left the drinking event -- my guard would go down and cravings would hit. (Never acted on them.)

I read "The Easy Way to Stop Drinking" early in my sobriety. The author recommends going out and being around drinking, and be proud and happy that you are no longer drinking and do not need it.

Early sobriety can be fragile but it is also a time of great strength. Know yourself and take the actions that will keep you sober.
jeffneedshelp
jeffneedshelp
Sukie,

Did you survive your football lunch without drinking?
GwenY
GwenY
Feelin this - I have social weekends at a cottage I have in the Lake District - which we go to at weekends. Course our friends there love seeing us and cant wait to meet up in the local. I have constantly said when I have a glass of wine and someone says, what are you having Gwen, and I say nothing for me this will last me, then I visit the ladies room and when I come back, there can be 2 or 3 glasses on the table!!!!! We are due to go this Friday to Sunday and I am dreading it. But hey Sukie, you do sound like a you are marching forward, I am very new to this and "coming out" but take the advice given on here, it is inspiring.
G.
jeffneedshelp
jeffneedshelp
Glad to see your strength!
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