First social occasion around alcohol
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,308
First social occasion around alcohol
I am nearly 14 months sober with the support of SR and AA.
Last night I was invited to a birthday dinner at a restaurant. I barely know the host and her husband and didn't know any of the other guests. This certainly would have me drinking heavily and trying hard to "engage" with people.
When I was drinking I would be sculling down alcohol to get that confident buzz on before I left the house. Then it was all downhill from there.
I was made to feel very welcome and had the best time in ages. I had no desire to drink and noticed that half the dining table of about 20 people we're not drinking.
I was able to network and have genuinely interesting conversations. I made a point of being aware when I felt uncomfortable, for example when I wasn't engaged in conversation and alone I just relaxed and enjoyed what was going on around me.
At the end of the night I was still buzzing and full of energy and as I rode my bike home along the deserted roads in this incredibly beautiful town, I felt such gratitude to be sober and to be the person that I know I am.
Newcomers take heart I am 58 years old, I am in the process of opening a restaurant. I live alone but I am not lonely. I live a very healthy lifestyle and want to live to a ripe healthy old age. I have never been this together in my life. if I was still drinking none of this would be happening.
Love
CaiHong
Last night I was invited to a birthday dinner at a restaurant. I barely know the host and her husband and didn't know any of the other guests. This certainly would have me drinking heavily and trying hard to "engage" with people.
When I was drinking I would be sculling down alcohol to get that confident buzz on before I left the house. Then it was all downhill from there.
I was made to feel very welcome and had the best time in ages. I had no desire to drink and noticed that half the dining table of about 20 people we're not drinking.
I was able to network and have genuinely interesting conversations. I made a point of being aware when I felt uncomfortable, for example when I wasn't engaged in conversation and alone I just relaxed and enjoyed what was going on around me.
At the end of the night I was still buzzing and full of energy and as I rode my bike home along the deserted roads in this incredibly beautiful town, I felt such gratitude to be sober and to be the person that I know I am.
Newcomers take heart I am 58 years old, I am in the process of opening a restaurant. I live alone but I am not lonely. I live a very healthy lifestyle and want to live to a ripe healthy old age. I have never been this together in my life. if I was still drinking none of this would be happening.
Love
CaiHong
Community Greeter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,563
Oh, CaiHong - that just gave me a great big smile. I always thought alcohol was helping me be more sociable and relaxed, but it did just the opposite. I would do the pre-gaming thing, too - and show up for the event in a numb fog. I wouldn't even remember the conversations I did have - and being fuzzy made me boring to be around - I'm sure.
Alcohol was never our friend, the way we once thought it was. I can't believe I ever panicked at the thought of being without it. I want to feel everything and experience life the way I was meant to. I'm so happy we're on this journey together. Thanks for a wonderful & heartfelt post.
Alcohol was never our friend, the way we once thought it was. I can't believe I ever panicked at the thought of being without it. I want to feel everything and experience life the way I was meant to. I'm so happy we're on this journey together. Thanks for a wonderful & heartfelt post.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: South East England
Posts: 8,009
Yours is the first post I've read this morning, and what a wonderful way to wake up.
Thankyou for sharing, it gives us all something to strive for.
Well done, it sounds a fantastic way to live your life xxx
Thankyou for sharing, it gives us all something to strive for.
Well done, it sounds a fantastic way to live your life xxx
Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 5,678
Thanks for posting that CaiHong. Social occasions are so hard in early recovery that its nice to know that they get better or are even possible! And it's fantastic that we have a place to tell people this stuff that other people might not understand 
Oh, and well done on 14 months!! x
Oh, and well done on 14 months!! x
SoberOutlook
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,089
Thanks for that fantastic share, Cai. I'm glad you had that experience. What a victory!
Good luck with the opening. I believe I will both open a restaurant and write a book before my curtain call in this life. At 49, I'd better get a move on!
I really enjoyed your post. Thanks again.
Good luck with the opening. I believe I will both open a restaurant and write a book before my curtain call in this life. At 49, I'd better get a move on!
I really enjoyed your post. Thanks again.
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