How to deal with Friends....

[thejedi]

Hi! I am just over 8 months sober and I am honestly happy. My husband went to rehab and is also over 8 months sober. I didn't go to rehab but I did have an alcohol issue. I am loving life right now but honestly sometimes I do miss drinking and my old relationships... I am struggling right now with 2 people in my life that still drink. I have limited my time with them and flat out refuse to see them if they are drinking. They have reached out somewhat and tried to hang out with me while not drinking. I find excuses but they are catching on. In fact one of them just tonight told me they pretend I live far away even though we live in the same town. That is how they deal with me... Is it wrong of me to not want to hang out with them? They used to be friends through me but since I quit drinking they buddied up to drink together. That hurts but I get it. I have buddied up with a sober pal. They act like I think I am better than they are but I don't think I am. I am in a different place in my life now. And seeing them brings the urge to drink back. Is that normal? Any advice would be helpful. I truly am struggling with this. I don't know what to do. Dropping them completely would be a challenge because one is related to me and the other to my husband. And we all live in the same small town.

[doggonecarl]

Have to told them of your decision to quit drinking and how difficult it is for you to be around drinking? If they know of you desire to be sober and can't refrain from drinking WHEN AROUND YOU, are they really friends? You should tell them, "Sorry, I can't tell you not to drink, but I can't be around you if you are going to drink. Those are the boundries I need to maintain my recovery."

Without those boundries it sounds like you might slip into you old ways. Hope that isn't the case. Good luck! And by the way, 8 months sober is awesome.