Spartanman

I keep thinking about having a pint while watching the Manchester derby later today.

doggonecarl

Well, thinking ain't drinking.

But if are triggered by watching the derby, don't watch it.

kenton

Drinking doesn't make watching football enjoyable. Football makes watching football enjoyable. Think it through...will it really just be one pint?

SeaOfSerenity

Football is a trigger for me too. I used to spend all weekend watching games and drinking in the pub before I stopped bothering to go to the pub and drank at home. they definitely go hand in hand.

midweek games every night as well.
MNF, champs league Tuesdays and wednesdays, Europa league Thursdays.
you could find a reason to go to the pub nearly every day

Forward12

If that's a trigger to wanting to slip up, watch the NFL draft instead

Spartanman

Thanks everyone. Yeah I know a pint would turn into a raging binge. I don't want to turn down an invitation to meet people to watch the match but I think if I went I would probably cave immediately the way I am thinking right now.

FitNonDrinker

Spartanman be STRONG! You already know what the outcome will be. Can you watch at home? Can you explain to your friends why you shouldn't come?

The feeling you have is normal. ACTING on it is your decision! We are here for you! Love yourself enough to say no.

xo

Soberwolf

Watch a film with Ben & jerrys ice cream one of my favourite things in early sobriety that & cheese & ham toasties

ScottFromWI

Then I think you know the answer, right? And also as others have pointed out...it's really not the match you would be going for...it's the alcohol. The associated sporting event is really just secondary to the fact that the "invitation" is really an invitation to come and drink alcohol.

Watch the game on TV, hang out here, take a walk..there's a million things to do besides getting drunk.

Most importantly, good job coming here first to talk it through...that's a very positive step in the right direction.

SeaOfSerenity

watch it at home and learn to enjoy it sober. you wont enjoy it if youre thinking of having a drink so don't put yourself in the position to have one

enjoy the game! do you support either team?

rainyengland

Watch villa play instead,nothing enjoyable and drinking makes it far worse ! 🤐

Seriously though avoid it if it's a trigger ! Be plenty more derby games in future!

Spartanman

Ooh Villa, God bless that's tough at the moment. I'm a long suffering Sunderland fan and we will be going down shortly.

As for the Manchester derby, seems it turned out to be a pretty dull match, so even better that I missed it! Told my friends (Man U fans) that something came up at work and couldn't make it.

Thanks all for the encouragement today. Glad I didn't get trashed for a nil-nil match of teams I don't even support. Really it was just an excuse, I do love watching football and several friends were all about this match.

Soberwolf your suggestion sounds great, I will be happy sober with a hanger sandwich and movie

MrMcTell

Well that was a waste of time...

StartAnew68

You think you have problems? I live in Lincoln and our team is steaming on all fronts - FA Cup, promotion to league!!

Hmmmm, OK, I admit it. I just joined in for the fun of it. I live with in 'aural' distance of The Imps ground but I grew up near the West Ham training ground so not a lot to get excited about!

Will wind my neck in now!

SeaOfSerenity

big disappointment that turned out to be lol

well done Spartanman on prioritising your sobriety