dickensen

I'm still concerned about my social life. I really don't want to regress back to where I was 5 years ago without alcohol. As an introvert, I don't require much social interaction and it takes effort on my part to get out and socialize. I could just accept this lifestyle, but I know a lack of socialization has long-term negative effects on communication skills and social confidence.

Any ideas for quick excuses not to drink around strangers that would be an easier cop-out than saying that I don't drink at all?[/QUOTE]

Vic: There are a lot of volunteer opportunities without alcohol that you might consider as social activities. In our area the local shopper has a whole page of them - giving rides to cancer patients, delivering meals on wheels, helping at the library, working at the local food pantry, hospital, park district, etc.

rae123

good morning everyone!

sorry i haven't been around in awhile. life has been super busy & i am enjoying it with my family

still going strong at 37 days!

i will be back in a bit

Edwardm

Good morning everyone. Four weeks today.

I went into this weekend thinking it would be easier than the others and boy was I wrong. I nearly cracked on Saturday. The day was so beautiful, it was perfect for grilling and kicking back on the deck with a drink. I wanted a drink so bad just fighting the cravings made me irritable and cranky. I kept myself busy and finally calmed down as the evening went on.

This group is a big reason why I made it through. I kept reminding myself what others have said. Also, after posting for four weeks, I didn't want to let everyone down who has supported me.

Thanks and have a sober Monday.

hereagain2

Well everyone, I messed up again. I'm working on day 2. I'm also trying to work some stuff out in my personal life. I go to individual counseling going soon

Really4Real

Ceneri... I, too, used to give in to 'that voice' saying I could drink moderately. Maybe I could once or twice... sooner or later (actually sooner), it would drag me back down. I was once sober for almost 2 years and thought those thoughts - struggled for the next 5 years. Then when I first joined SR, I was sober bout was almost 8 months, and I blew it in May -- same voice. I stopped listening. No matter how I 'feel' about it, I 'know' I can't drink. I you're afraid that it might happen, then for me that would be proof enough to not let it happen at all. Hope today goes well for you.

Glad everyone else is doing well here.
I'm up to Day 15

Have a great day everyone!

ceneri

Good morning, all!
I spent time writing in my blog and may have worked thru some doubts, God willing. I'm always amazed how enlightening journaling can be. To share some that came out..."I'm learning change is a journey with detours and roadblocks. I didn't expect them in my head." Really? It took me 50yrs to figure that out!?!

Thank you for all the kind words of support, and Dee, your verbal smack upside my head was well played!

I hope everyone has a beautiful day! I will not drink today!

Cypress

Hey, Vic. Will any of these work for you?

Ways to say "no" to alcohol.

1. No thank you.
2. I'm driving or I want to stay sober in case someone needs a ride home.
3. I just finished one.
4. I've had my limit for tonight/today.
5. I've got work tomorrow or I have an early start tomorrow.
6. I don't drink anymore.
7. I'd rather drink something else (iced tea, lemonade, soda, coffee, water, etc.)
8. Not right now.
9. I'm trying to lose weight (the sugar in alcohol has loads of calories.)
10. I'm in training for a marathon and alcohol today would slow me down tomorrow.
11. I have a better time when I'm sober.
12. Alcohol gives me a headache.
13. Alcohol makes me nauseous.
14. Alcohol slows me down too much and I won't be able to enjoy this party.
15. Alcohol interrupts my sleep.
16. The sugar in alcohol makes my skin break out.
17. I need to be sober when I pick up my kids, tuck them in tonight, etc.
18. My husband/wife/partner doesn't like it when I drink.
19. I'm a lightweight...one drink and I'll pass out, stumble, get looped, etc.
20. I don't like the way I feel when I drink.
21. I'm trying to cut down.
22. Drinking clouds my thinking.
23. I'm allergic to alcohol, the fermenting process, the ingredients, etc.
24. My stomach has been unsettled today, and alcohol will make me sick.
25. It aggravates my acid reflux.
26. I'm trying to get pregnant.
27. I'm a little tired today, and a drink would put me to sleep.
28. I already have a drink (a non-alcoholic one, of course!)
29. I'm trying to preserve the brain cells I still have left.

Any other ideas, Julians?

ElvisInASkirt

30) Intentionally poisoning yourself is ********. I'd prefer to eat the glass of the bottle before drinking the liquid inside.

meetmesober

I was worried on the excuse thing but not so anymore. When I say "I'll have water" no one seems to blink an eye. I have not had to explain it yet. I think I would simply say I didn't want a drink if asked about it.... which is the truth. Oh a funny thing - I was near someone having a glass of wine this weekend and it really stank! I looked at the bottle and it was a nice wine I had enjoyed before but yuck it smelled bad! I didn't go up and sniff it mind you, it smelled in a 5 foot radius around the person with the glass.

Day 24, I have lost 5lbs without trying, no headache today, life is good.

dickensen

More excuses to turn down a drink.

31. The doctor told me I need to take a break from drinking because of a medical issue.

32. I am taking a med that will not work with alcohol.

Any old reason not to drink is a good one.

I have been reading the AVRT information. Interesting for those trying to stop drinking without AA. If you google AVRT you can get to their site.

Have a great day of sobriety.

ViciousCycle

I use "I am on a fitness challenge!" No one says a thing except, "good for you, I need to do something like that!" Most people could care less....they are too busy with themselves.....we just think they do.

Cerberus

Last night was my first interaction with other people where I really had to worry about not drinking. it was a birthday party for my niece at my sister's house. I knew it wasn't going to be a booze fest but still a bit nervous. My sister, who rarely drinks, asked if I wanted to join her in a bottle of wine (ha! nice visual I just got, lol) Instead of just saying, "no thanks" i somehow felt I owed an explanation. What I wanted to say was "no thank you, I quit drinking" and what came out was. "no, I am trying to stay away from that stuff to straighten out my blood sugar" which is true, but to be honest not my main motivation, just a reason I thought she would accept with less questions. and of course, it lead to more questions. like, really? wine is bad for that? all alcohol? is it working? aaaaaahh! I am sure it was just me that felt nervous and stuttery about it but man, why couldn't I just say the "no thanks I don't drink anymore" reason? I feel like I sold out a bit. But hey, didn't drink! and I really didn't want to either.

ViciousCycle

Hilarious.

I just say "I'm on a fitness challenge." All I have ever gotten is "hey, I need to go on one of those, are you eating certain foods too?" People really do not care, not as much as we think they do. I think it's our focus, not theirs!

ViciousCycle

Ok, this is weird........my post did not go over the first time so I wrote it again. I swear I am not on the sauce! LOL

Englishrose70

Bodhi Tree posted a corker no drinking excuse today, here it is if you have not read it

"I never drink when I'm sober!" :rotfxko

Englishrose70

Well Julians, I will bid you goodnight.

I am going to make a hot chocolate and then retire to the womb of my down duvet nest. How I love going to bed now, snuggling down, grateful, waking up, thankful.

Love to all, and heres to a top sober Tuesday

Cypress

Great one liner, ER! Thanks for sending it over.

Holding strong at Day 16 today. Celebrating with iced tea and a little mint chocolate chip ice cream. Yum!

ElvisInASkirt

Yum!

Still going steady myself. I make sure that I say 'I'll never drink again and never change my mind' at least 10 times a day to myself.

Getting more and more confident in my mind about this.

Going out for dinner with friends next Friday. Will enjoy that and hang around the bar for maybe an hour and then make my excuses and go.

Really4Real

I was wondering, VC... you said almost the same thing twice... made me laugh though

Wonderful excuses not to drink... liked them alot, but REALLY liked the one you sent from BT, ER70... "I never drink when I'm sober". I'm going to use that one for sure!

Have a nice night Julians!

ElvisInASkirt

Anxious / gloomy / overcast - today in my head.

Sunny outside.

I will not take my thoughts too seriously.