reggiewayne

Ok so last night my nephew graduated high school! The graduation started at 7:30pm and lasted about 2 hours. Afterward my immediate and extended family went out to eat - around 10pm. When we got to the restaraunt there was a wait. So a group of them said, "why don't we have a drink while we wait". I could literally see the "lightbulb go off" in their heads. I realized that until that very moment, none of them had thought about having a drink until that very moment. Certainly none of them had drank before the ceremony and they didn't seem at all concerned with breaking any of their drinking rules. They weren't concerned about it, because they don't have any....

When I was drinking, I had a code of drinking rules. Never start too late - because I'd be up way to late - like 7am late drinking. Never start too early - because I''d be drunk and stubbling around - and I couldn't have that now could I... And finally, never, and I mean ever order one light beer and then quit.

It's just another affirmation that I am the real alcoholic. Not that I was questioning it or anything, but I like to look at "normies" and just compare myself to them to see how different we really are.

They all had their ONE BEER, got a little more talkative, and that's it. There were no shots ordered, no mixed drinks (double please), none of it. Just some folks having a beer to kill time.

I actually found it funny. I was so sick when I was drinking but I really didn't even know how much.

I'm so grateful for the ability to see these things now. I'm grateful that I am able to be around them and be present.

As for how folks can have one beer and then stop, I'll never have that figured out. The good news is, I don't need to. I am an alcoholic and their not. As long as I don't take that first drink - life is open for me to enjoy.

Just thought I'd share that with everyone.

Have a great Saturday all!!!!

. It wasn't until that exact sitation presented itself to them that they had made the decision to have a beer.

That is not how I drank everone!

Hevyn

I can relate for sure - one beer, what the heck good is that? It's nice to see you learning and growing, Reggie. I spent so much time being resentful in the beginning. Have a great weekend.

reggiewayne

Disregard the bottom two lines please. Having a one year old and writing don't always go well together LOL. Have a great day all!!!

instant

I could have pretended to be normal in that situation, but when I was drinking, the desire for another drink would eat at me and not let go. I often come home early and continue drinking "properly".

Zebra1275

I can relate to what your saying. I watch people have one beer or maybe two with dinner, and than order coffee? What's up with that?

FBL

I drank to get drunk, so the "just one beer" concept did not compute with me.

EmeraldRose

It started at 7:30? I would have been half in the bag by then...them is prime drinking hours. LOL That would have been a long two hours without a drink and the first thing I ordered at the restuarant!!
Glad you enjoyed the evening...just wait, you have another 17 years to go.

Nirvana1

It has actually helped me that I've never desired to have just one or even a few drinks. I have always been take it or leave it. I would be fine with no alcohol or I would need to drink 600 beers. The urge to moderate has never been there and I am lucky for that.

IndaMiricale

Yea right one beer ha cant even give that thought a chance!!!

Good for to see that, great post thank you!

Have a good day

Peace, Dylan

yeahgr8

Cool huh, we are in the absolute minority of people with regard to our drinking regardless of what the media would have us believe...it's lovely isn't it to know that the world is full of nice, sane, mature people rather than thinking everyone is like we were...much less scary place to live:-)

Mcribb

since it doesn't click with me, i ususally think of it as a diabetic having a piece of cake.

Mcribb

I know everyone here is alot alike, but this post is straight from my brain.

Missy7

I suppose we could go on all day on this one, but this is so true. As I've been floating around SR and listening to alcoholic behaviors, here are a few I personally possess:

Worrying about ordering a new drink before the current one is done
Watching the wine bottle diminish and wondering who to trick into ordering more
Watching other people's drinks

Oh, it's too depressing.

Last night I was so tired, but wanted to go out. Friday! But I just decided to give into the tiredness, which makes it possible for me to be up at 6:00 reading papers! Whoopee. But I'll be done by 8 or 10 and I'll be able to have a nice day, so, once again, Thank you SR.

Taking5

In my drinking days, if I had one beer it would've just pissed me off. I would've found a reason to go get Effed up.

Missy7

And another thing...

I would never take the last piece of shrimp, the last wing, or anything like that in an appetizer plate. I would never take a piece of food off of anyone else's plate (except Phil's--and we order contrasting food for that purpose) or try to get one last bite when the server takes the plate.

But I would damn straight drain the bottle, and I cannot stand to watch someone let a glass of good red wine (or cheap red wine for that matter) stand. And if the server starts collecting them...

It's really pretty embarassing.

I still like my vampire metaphor.

lostsheep

I found your story so true. It all mirrored me. I had my first day/night of sobriety yesterday. A friend wanted to have girl talk at a pub and at the time I had not told her about my decision to quit. she was great when I told her and explained that a pub might not be the best place for me....even if it was before cocktail hour. All we can do is focus on why we drank, why we chose to quit and sometimes look at others who drink in order to reinforce why we no longer drink...in essence why we are alcoholics.

Mark75

By the time I would have arrived I would have surreptitiously had a couple... maybe a flask somewhere, a hidden bottle... sure... I could have had just one... at the restaurant that is... LOL

tomdecel

You guys are all lightweights..... Same scenario, in a restaurant waiting for a table, my wife would order a glass of wine. Takes two sips, our table is ready, walks away leaving the half full glass of wine behind. "Did not like it" she would say. Shear misery for someone who was sneaking in an out if the bathroom with a hidden flask.

Congrats on living sober so that your one year old can grow up without his/hers dad being smashed half of the time.

Reset

I would have had two beers, ate my dinner, gone home and then proceeded to have 4 martinis or two bottles of wine.

ajangel

I can feel you. The last time I had "just one" was when I was 8. My brother skipped school in JR high and snuck a beer to my elementary school. My sister and I skipped class and sat down by the water sipping the beer. It was gross and I got sick to say the least. Of coarse I didn't drink after that until I was 16. I have a huge family history of alcoholism. I believe I was an alcoholic before I even took that first sip. Amazing how things become more and more clear when we are sober. Have a blessed day. Thank you for sharing