Class Reunion
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: South Dakota, USA
Posts: 1,429
Class Reunion
So this past weekend was our class reunion. I was in charge of planning it, so it wasn't like I couldn't go. I knew I would be tempted, and being so new to recovery it would be hard to say no. Well, I didn't say no, and ended up drinking both Friday and Saturday night. It stinks how everyone else is doing it, so it seems OK. Not to mention is seems like such harm-less fun when you are back together with all of your old friends and the habits just come back.
So I am back to square one.... again! Man I am getting sick of this. How do you completely stay away from events where alcohol is served and still keep you life and friends? I love my friends, and don't want to loose them. They can all just have a few and call it a night, while I just keep going.
Living in South Dakota, we have such long winters, so when the weather finally does get nice out, the summer is packed with lake activities, grilling out, and just sitting on people's decks. Of coarse, alcohol is present with all of this stuff. How do you stay strong and not partake in these activities?
I know that at some point it will be safe to be around alcohol again, and just say no. But I am afraid that by that point I will have refused so many invitations I won't even be included any more.
So I am back to square one.... again! Man I am getting sick of this. How do you completely stay away from events where alcohol is served and still keep you life and friends? I love my friends, and don't want to loose them. They can all just have a few and call it a night, while I just keep going.
Living in South Dakota, we have such long winters, so when the weather finally does get nice out, the summer is packed with lake activities, grilling out, and just sitting on people's decks. Of coarse, alcohol is present with all of this stuff. How do you stay strong and not partake in these activities?
I know that at some point it will be safe to be around alcohol again, and just say no. But I am afraid that by that point I will have refused so many invitations I won't even be included any more.
Your real friends will always invite you out regardless. Your drinking buddies might lose interest if they have no one to drink with. In the end it will all work out for the best. You need to do whats best for you right now and if you do just that you will find that life will build itself appropriatly around you.
Keep on keepin on!
Keep on keepin on!
Living in South Dakota, we have such long winters, so when the weather finally does get nice out, the summer is packed with lake activities, grilling out, and just sitting on people's decks. Of coarse, alcohol is present with all of this stuff. How do you stay strong and not partake in these activities?
Living in South Dakota, we have such long winters, so we spend the winter on social activities at the bar, ice fishing at the lake, deer hunting, and watching football with friends. Of coarse, alcohol is present with all of this stuff. How do you stay strong and not partake in these activities?
The truth is that all of these activities, from ice fishing in January to regular fishing in July; or from watching a football game on TV in February to playing golf outside in the summer, can all be enjoyed without alcohol.
It still amazes me today that lots of people grill out, fish, watch football, play golf, etc without booze. I was oblivious to this when I was drinking but now that I am sober I see it everywhere.
It takes time to retrain your brain. Pavlov's dog would salivate when he rang the bell. We as alcoholics associate certain activities with drinking, especially when we have always surrounded ourselves with other drinkers.
That may be the key - we tend to associate with other drinkers. In my case and in many others' cases, I had to change my playground (bars) and playmates (drinkers) to stay sober.
hey bdiddy
I spent years knowing I had a problem but not wanting to actually change anything. I had a great social life, lots of friends to hang out with and party....I just figured I'd 'get it one day'.
When it came to (literally) do or die time....and I did eventually quit, I had to make sobriety my unshakeable priority #1 - that meant changing my life quite a lot and making some tough choices. It took a lot of work. But I've never regretted it.
Think about it - the choices get harder the longer you leave them.
D
I spent years knowing I had a problem but not wanting to actually change anything. I had a great social life, lots of friends to hang out with and party....I just figured I'd 'get it one day'.
When it came to (literally) do or die time....and I did eventually quit, I had to make sobriety my unshakeable priority #1 - that meant changing my life quite a lot and making some tough choices. It took a lot of work. But I've never regretted it.
Think about it - the choices get harder the longer you leave them.
D
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