Treadster... I had a birthday party for a friend last week on a boat. Four hours of no getting off!! I was getting a little panic stricken at the thought of not being able to leave if I got uncomfortable. i was playing it out in my head and already having a miserable time before I even got there. lol

I talked to some sober friends, talked to God for a long while, and remembered that I do have something to bring to events! I had an awesome time!! I was enjoying conversation and not watching anyone or how much they were drinking. Made a difference.

But I've been where you were and always make sure I have my own car so I can leave when I choose to.

Yep I know that feeling - it's kind of odd.

What I realized after I quit drinking is how unattractive we all are when getting drunk. People are not really as funny as they think they are when they're drinking - nor are they as clever as they think they are when drinking.

We are so much more attractive sober - not just in appearance - but as the people we are. I think it has to do with the humility we come to accept.

Don....Went to a wedding a couple weeks ago and was scared as heck about it....thought the temptation might be too much...but it went pretty well.....made an exit when I felt I needed to and I suspect that is what any of us need to do if we find ourselves in a place where the booze is flowing. I don't think I could do the bar thing though...too soon. And maybe never...who knows. Plus it's pretty awesome to wake up knowing you didn't do any stupid shit the night before...no regrets as they say...what a concept. ( :

I did reunion thing again last fall at thanksgiving or was it year ago thanksgiving...that was it year ago thanksgiving....the bar was crowded but I saw people I had not seen long time since high school for some of them,....it was an informal reunion...nobody collecting anything cash wise we just jumped up to go to the bar....I was comfortable within that setting and when I wasn't I left....I found I wasn't too...when there was nobody I wanted to talk to any longer...

I bought a case of beer for friends today, we are on a two family weekend vacation and I'm the only sober alcoholic. Sat by the pool while everyone drank. Will do the same at dinner tonight.
Been to a bunch of parties. They are sometimes really tough but lately easier.
I've had a few drunk dreams though that worry me more!

Not yet comfortable in social situations with drinking. It's been a year and my house and yard are off limits. I told my husband to consider our home a school zone. Much support from family and friends. Took advice from group members and living sober regarding a large funtion I recently attended.
Turned my drinking glasses over during dinner then danced the night away and stayed away from the table. I love the remark about remembering we do have something to bring to events. Good conversation, clear minds and eyes and a lot of genuine laughter

Yup, I get what you are saying. The sickened crazy pull feeling. Unreal after all I have been through. I get it very rarely-usually when I am around old college friends, reminding me of the good ole day-yea right, eh?

That is when I leave.

I think we must always remember we are not super-human. Some of us can be just really great in our recovery but need to have certain boundaries. I may have to be careful around certain energies for the rest of my life-

I am very aware of this "feeling" and it is something I am willing to do (leave graciously) to stay well!

Timely reminder for me Treadster We have our daughters 21st birthday party coming up weekend after next Sober for her 16th then had a massive relapse worst ever but been sober since then including her 18th birthday really enjoyed that I remember taking luca and about six of her friends into town at one in the morning ye car overloaded but it wasn't far and the worst I could have got was a ticket for overloading Of course this is not going to be about me but hope i'm comfortable It's a house party so when things get a bit to loud and if I feel odd I can just disapear upstairs I also ditto what Ch said "remember I do have something to bring" so thats probably a common defect some of us have

I was at a bar for the first time since I got sober a few months ago. I've been to function rooms with a bar for parties, I've been to bars to eat, but this was the first time I was in a bar with a group to just hang out.

I was annoyed -- I just didn't want to be there. I didn't want to drink, but I also found it unappealing to hang out there, even though the people I was with were only having one drink and not getting drunk. (How do they DO that? If I was drinking I could never have done that.)

I didn't hang out in bars at the end of my drinking time -- I stayed at home. Since I was drinking myself into a stupor, there was no point in pretending it was a social occasion. When I traveled for work, however, I went to bars a lot. First at the airport. Fearing of flying is a great excuse to get sloshed. Then at the hotel. Might as well go to the bar and have a few drinks, even if I was by myself. Looking back, it seems a bit pathetic -- maybe that's why I cringe when I think of going to bars as a hang out.

wow...hadn't even thought about it treadster...I haven't been in a "bar" orther than restaurant bar waiting to get seated for dinner. Before I became a "hard core" drinker I hated bars and felt very uncomfortable in them. I think today I would feel the same...fortunately I haven't HAD to be in one for any reason in the past 2 years.