Help... Going to a bar tonight....
 

I'm going out with friends tonight to watch a live band we like. It is at a bar of course. Im pretty confidant that their drinking won't bother me but what is a good non alcoholic drink besides soda to order so my hands are busy?

Lime / tonic, Virgin Mary (or Cesar), ginger ale are my favorites.

Sorry......JMO, and from experience and stories I have been told of others who have tried that......bad, bad, friggin' idea.

Rex

I was at a bar last week and just drank bottled water. When the servers see this they naturally won't be bothering you for a fresh drink every 10 minutes like your alcohol drinking buddies. Just something I noticed and thought I would share....

Have to agree with Rexfiles on this one. In my case it wasn't so much being tempted at the bar, it's what goes through my mind after...when no one's around.

Be careful my friend.

Didn't you just join here Perfect?...What is this...A week yet?

For me quitting drinking meant changing my patterns, i.e. going to bars.

Slippery slope my friend

G

I still work in bars- and its rattling me- I only gave up drinking because it leads to coke which is still not far enough behind me to be comfortable. I get free liquor in bars as well- coke was a no brainer to want to quit- alcohol, which has never been a huge issue is harder because social drinking was more my pattern. But Im doing it anyway. Thats my outlook. That said.
1) I wouldn't go at all. if the band is good they will still be around when you are stronger.
2) If you don't heed that advice you might benefit from the strategy Im using this Sunday- Ive already made an appointment to call someone I met at the meeting on every set break. That way Ill have a distraction. Since Im in the band there wont be noise- so maybe you could do the same thing with text.

But all in all- I just would avoid the difficulty- and as was pointed out above- Ive noticed cravings come when Im NOT expecting it- not when Im ready for it. I can feel super committed one minute - even relieved that it is feeling easy- and then get the desire to use simply invade my thoughts right after my bout of self congratulation. scary ****.

.

Correctamundo.

I change

People

Places

Things.

IMO the alternative is setting myself up for the inevitable.

Just one chronic relapsers opinion.....heck, what would I know........???????

Rex

sugar free red bull and an EXIT STRATEGY

How long have you been sober perfect73?

Six weeks sober. Husband and friends are über supportive. They are all aware that I'm not drinking.

Good luck. I agree about the exit strategy.

Husband knows that if I feel uncomfortable we are headed for the door. Ill update tomorrow and let you know how this turns out.... Last time we were out after one week of sobriety I drank soda and left feeling stronger than ever. I knew when it was time to cut out and everyone understood. If my friends order shots then I'm out! (my weakness is tequila) their beer and mixed drinks don't trigger me... Just wanting an alternative to soda.

sounds solid...enjoy

sounds like you're good then. have fun! i went to a show in a bar when i had 60 days and had a blast.

Sorry, I'll gladly defer to being the resident stick in the mud here.

I would not try it.

Sounds like this will be a routine.

Russian Roulette JMO

Hope I am wrong.

Rex

San Pellegrino with a slice of lemon or lime. Yum. Sometimes I throw in a little cranberry juice as well to change things up.

for me there's nothing that's gonna get me inside a bar again. I'm getn to where I think drunk people would just irritate me too much.

Good luck Perfect! I like the support system and exit strategy, good stuff. Also agree with pp about the bottled h2o. Have fun and take good care of yourself! xo