One month today for me without even a sip. At first friends were still offering me a drink at get togethers, but I hadn't made it clear. Now that they know they no longer ask. But it is still hard to be around it.
My closest friends know, but many friends and relatives do not know. So I worry about the holidays. I don't want me not drinking to become a topic of conversation with or without me there. Most have no idea that my binge drinking had gotten that bad. They just thought I was a lot of fun on holidays. But they didn't see the Saturday nights where I unintentionally sounded like Ozzy. But so far I've been able to keep all my friends. And if they don't understand then they are not friends.

Hi hati, good choice! Finding a lasting sobriety involves so much more than abstaining from alcohol. Personally I had to get to know who that woman was without a glass or bottle in her hand. Staying away from drinking situations until I was no longer obsessing about alcohol and feeling I was "missing out" or needing to feel "strong" was necessary for me.

I'm discovering new things that interest me and make me happy as I go along with sobriety. My true friends encouraged me to get well and are still around today, I have made new friends too in sobriety because my horizons have broadened and changed.

I love reading now I can concentrate and don't see double so curling up with a good book is a treat for me, same goes for watching films I've "seen before" in blackout and now can watch as if for the first time lol

Drinking creates an illusion in our own mind, in reality I wasn't the life and soul of the party - I was just another glassy eyed drunk.

Keep up the great work, and don't be afraid or ashamed to say that you stopped drinking. Chances are, if they know you well enough, they are aware of what bad things may become of you with alcohol.

I've been telling my drinking buddies, and most of them respond with "man I should probably do the same thing."

I had to stay away from 'wet' places initially as I knew that I had no defence until I got on and got a new solution to my life.

Yes I got busy.

I too, now, like my own company yet it is all about balance...time out and time in. All of one is not good for me.

Good you have awareness to be doing a post such as this :)

My father quit during the Christmas Holidays years ago. He didn't miss a party but he took his jar of instant iced tea with him. He and my step-mother had many parties and it seemed every weekend they were going to a friend's party or traveling on a cruise. My father made a decision and stuck to it. He was not the kind of person anyone could tell to do anything!!

I have never liked the taste of alcohol so I drink iced tea or a coke when I am with friends. No one has ever said a word to me as they ordered whatever they wanted. You will be everyone's hero even if they don't tell you - it is a huge accomplishment to be sober. It takes great courage and determination and that is what everyone admires. Wishing you a great Holiday Season.

say that changing people places and things is something we need to do....

Good for you! Protect your sobriety.
For me, I went out with friends who drank but not if the sole purpose of going it was drinks.
I went to birthday celebrations, dinners, music, etc
I always had an exit plan, and a few times in the first year in particular I just left. I'd had enough and was getting anxious.
Now I feel comfortable anywhere I want to go. I also now know more about me and what I really do like to do. Before anywhere with booze was fine. Now I say no allot, but when I do go out I generally have a blast, I laugh allot and remember and enjoy others and myself.
So take it easy and just see how it goes a day at a time!

Congratulation on your five weeks. Wise choice to stick with the friends who don't drink. Especially that you're experiencing some struggle. All the best to you, dear Hati.

Think you'll find your real mates, I've got a couple who when I meet monthly to catch up say we don't have to meet in a pub, or they say we'll go for a meal so I fill up on food and booze is not on my mind, even supportive too :)

yea!!! 5 weeks. Way to go. I just tell people that I drank for many years and it was felt it was time for me to grow up, I also tell them, it seems like every time I drank no matter what or how much it bothered my stomach and I decided it wasn't worth it. Can't argue over something that is upsetting you now can they? and it was the truth, because when I drank it did up set my stomach with a nasty hang over.. :)

I find that I don't mind being around alcohol or people drinking but I just do not enjoy hanging out with drunk people. So losing friends who only want to go out and spend a night drinking isn't such a big loss.

If you are having more fun staying at home reading, then what's wrong with that???

Great job on 5 weeks!

Soon you will be making friends. I meet people taking adult education classes. cooking at the Temple and in volunteer work.

Hati, I can so relate. I am not a social person either. In fact, I am antisocial, so drinking always got me through. In hindsight this was really the case all through college and highschool.

I would go with your gut about going out. I think you will naturally get new friends, or the ones that were just based on drinking will simply go away, and this is not a bad thing.

I still go to events where there is drinking and I will get a Topochico (fizzy water) or a club soda and lime. I found it interesting how people would ask what I was drinking. I was self conscious at first, but did not lie, then found many were looking for that reason to not drink, and I became the reason. People would start getting the non alc drink too.

I enjoyed for awhile watching people get tipsy then drunk, since i could see what i was like (kind of), but then it actually got boring.

My wife is a drinker, not an alchi yet, but well on her way. She gets very boring to be with, alone, when she is getting drunk.

I have gotten used to being with myself now since I am still pretty antisocial and just don't like being with others, unless I can be quiet. So, I really like AA.

Congrats on your 5 weeks. I would avoid anything or anyplace that may tempt you or trigger you in any way.

way to go on the 5 weeks. Please keep not drinking. :)