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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Gr8ful 12/19/2009

When I first put the grog down and it was getting around this time of year for the first time there was lots of concerns about picking up because of the season and how acceptable the over indulgence in alcohol is.

Was during a meeting that I first heard of the HALTS and has stuck with me ever since, so I would like to pass it on.

So during the festive season do not get too:
Hungry - make sure there is something to eat and drink
Angry - make sure you are not carrying resentments
Lonely - make sure you have phone numbers/people to talk to
Tired - make sure that you get plenty of rest and not running on adrenaline
Serious - remember to have fun and not worry about everything

This for me was a simple list but there are many other great tips so please add any you have heard.

G8

CoogeeMum 12/19/2009

XMAS Parties - I limited these, and drove myself so I could leave early when I did go. My spouse knew from the start that this would be the case for social functions. If he wanted to stay, he could. But I wasn't going to take any risks. I also nominated to be driver desig.

Stick with the Kidlets - I love driving them around looking at Xmas lights. When it gets dark and the adults are starting to 'relax' lol, I pile them into the car and take them around to look at the lights. Ice-cream stops are a must.

Stay Active - A walk a day, especially in the morning or after dinner is a great way to start/end the day.

Dial a Mate - This was a lifesaver for me. Plenty of mates at meetings too.

deleted_user 12/19/2009

Translations for Americans:

Grog=booze
Driver Desig.=designated driver
Kidlets=children
Dial a mate=phone a friend
Plenty of mates=lotsa recovering alkies

Yep, I just had a conversation about this tonight that even though I drank a ridiculous amount on a daily basis. Christmas gave me "permission" to do it in public cause it was "acceptable". People would just think "oh bless her heart! She's just being REALLY festive & enjoyin herself" Little did they know that I was that "festive" daily at home!

Haha! Love coogee's lights too.....I'm gonna turn off all my lights and just stare at coogee's avi. hee hee..

deleted_user 12/19/2009

Really excellent reminder.

deleted_user 12/19/2009

Love the HALTS. Very wise and they work.

deleted_user 12/20/2009

I don't like the HALTS theory because I'm almost always either Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired or Serious, which means I have a reason to relapse.

CoogeeMum 12/20/2009

These are not reasons to relapse DS. Relapse is an action, or in alcoholics case, lack of action. HALTS that's mentioned here lists areas of our lives alcoholics neglected quite successfully when drinking. It's a reminder to take care of ourselves and introduce some good habits into our lives. If we get edgy, look at areas of our lives that can be addressed to bring us back to a place of contentment. It's a handy list that you can keep in your sobriety plan. Every little bit helps. I know the Tired is something I need to look at now and then.

m8bear 12/20/2009

What I forget is that HALT will always be around and not just when we are first getting sober.

Every day we have to take care of ourselves and if I forget that, I am in trouble.

Gr8ful 12/20/2009

These are justifications to drink, in my head there is no sane reason why I would drink again.

G8

rivalino 12/20/2009

I think HALT is a very handy easy to remember tool and as has been mentioned if your feeling a bit weird or out of sorts it only takes ten seconds to do a quick self check and has helped me maintain sobriety and sanity particularly when very busy and perhaps neglecting me

deleted_user 12/20/2009

I'm with Mark. Where'd the S come from? You can't throw these curves at old men and expect us to understand.... huh Mark.

deleted_user 12/20/2009

Maybe the "S" was added by the Australians to remind themselves not to take life too seriously & have a good time!

They tend to be less anal retentive/uptight than their American counterparts! lol!

Big effin deal....if it offends you, simply remove it from when you use it.

deleted_user 12/20/2009

Nice thread, Mr. Gr8. (o;

and wow...let's not get effin ugly. It was just a question about the 's' word. Goodneeess!

deleted_user 12/20/2009

where is the grieve thing? we forget so many of us suffer profound losses during the holidays. personally, i hope next christmas i'm on a cruise or over in europe ignoring the damn mess. sorry if i'm a damper but g-d i'm in pain. i don't care about trees, lights, toysrus, fancy front yards, etc. i just want my missing family and friends back. without them there is no holiday. without them there is no joy.

i could win the mega million today and my thoughts would not change.

deleted_user 12/20/2009

(((((Devon)))))

deleted_user 12/20/2009

Thanks G8. Excellent reminder for all of us folks in recovery.

BBH & cranky, c'mon guys. Don't pick pepper out of flys##t, just go with it, lol.

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