zorah

I'm going to vegas with a friend tomorrow for four days. I know it will be tough as I've only got a little over 30 days. But there are two definite pluses: 1. my friend is a non-drinker; 2. i was never a bar drinker so the casino booze scene will be less triggering (God I hope!). I was a solitary sipper musing on poetry, death, and a host of morbid subjects. However I'm not a fool. The sight and smell of booze everywhere will be overwhelming I'm sure. How should I prepare myself?

zorah

Dee74

My advice is always to put off those kinds of trips for a while.

If you can't, I know LV has lots of AA groups, if you're into that.

If you can't do that - it may be tough at times, but you can do it.

Just keep focused, remember SR, and do the right thing

D

Anna

Honestly, I wouldn't have been able to do it at 30 days.

I hope it works for you.

Sapling

I wouldn't put myself through that at 30 days either...But if this is something that you absolutely have to go for....Try and plan some things that don't involve drinking....I'm sure you'll want to do some casino time...They give out free alcohol....Don't spend more time there than you have too. If you're feeling uncomfortable leave. At least you are blessed to be going with a non drinker...Stay close to her and do what she does. They have a ton of AA in Vegas...Probably for people like us...Here is a site you can check out. It gives you a tutorial for finding meetings..Go ahead and take the tutorial. Have fun and don't drink...If you have access to this site...Check in zorah....Stay away from the first drink....That's the one that will get you drunk. And good luck.

Meeting Schedule | Las Vegas Central Office

Deserto

I did a trip to Vegas at 30 days or so sober and had a blast. If I can do it, you can, too.

When the cocktail waitresses came around I'd order a soda or a red bull or something -- I just knew in advance what I was going to order, and stuck to it.

Gambling was a lot more fun sober, to be honest. Really fascinating people watching when you're buzzed on caffeine. In fact, everything was better -- except my luck.

Perhaps telling your non-drinking friend your intention to stay sober will help as well?

You can do it!

eh1988

Probably not the best idea, this early in your recovery. But if you must, I'm sure you can do it as well, you just have to have a plan. Keep reminding yourself why you aren't drinking. Wishing you the best

Taking5

I wouldn't go. My sobriety is more important.

Michael66

Hi Zorah,

Have you had any similar experiences before - have you been sober for a similar length of time and then tried something like this? If it has been a problem in the past I'd obviously avoid it this time around. On the plus side it sounds like your friend could really help show you how to enjoy a place like Vegas without alcohol.

BillyPilgrim

I saw the thread, and was going to post don't go, then I saw Dee et al had beaten me to it

They are right, this early in your recovery, it is too big a risk

I still haven't answered requests for nights out in a pub with my ex drinking mates. Hope one day to meet them on neutral ground, but cant do a pub, I know that (and I was like you a solitary on the sofa listening to Joy Division type of drinker), and I am 4 months sober later this week

Though they do have shows in Vegas, I would love to see Penn and Teller. Hey and those guys dont drink.

DarkDays

I would go. You can do it, it will be great, the colours smells and vibrancy of it all, you do not need alcohell whatsoever, do not let it think you are missing something, you are not. You will be a 100 times stronger when you get back.

The social occasions I have been to have been really ok, in fact pretty good, I went to NYC last October 5 nights and was sober the whole trip, it was my greatest holiday ever. My problems with drink have been the drinking alone aspect, everybodys different. Good luck and enjoy Vegas !

Edit: I went to Vegas 6 years ago, have very little recollections of, it was just a blur . No shows nothing really, just drinking at a bar, may as well have been at home. Sad.

hypochondriac

Just because you're only at 30 days doesn't mean this is going to be impossible for you...I'd say it's more of a confidence issue. And you sound pretty confident to me and not complacent, which is a good thing.

I have had to do things in very early sobriety which I didn't feel comfortable doing and I wouldn't wish that on anyone. But then there has been other things which I've wanted to do and had to psyche myself up for and it has been ace, an I was really proud that I did it and didn't feel the need to drink! These have all been evening events though and I have no experience of doing anything for 4 days.

But if your friend doesn't drink I'm sure that will be a huge help. Even better if she/he knows why you quit! Just think how disappointed you'll be if you do drink on the Vegas trip and you have to come back and tell everyone who told you not to go xxx

eh1988

ooOoOo Joy Division and New Order were my drinking buddies for a long time. I still listen to them, without the booze. They actually sound better that way lol. Much appreciated music.

jobei

If you're going to drink while there, go to an AA meeting before you do and then see if you still want to drink. Take care!

BillyPilgrim

Darned good idea that jobei, schedule here

Love Joy Division eh, my gf calmly mentioned to me the other day that she saw them in 1979

Still, we are both off to see New Order with Blur and the Specials in London in August
and I am off to see the original Buzzcocks line up play Spiral Scratch on Friday!!!

eh1988

You are very lucky to be in the UK and able to see them. Saw the Buzzcocks last year in my city, amazing stuff.

EternalQ

If neither of.you drink.or gamble then why would you go? I went in November. I quit drinking in february. I cant imagine ever being able to go now even with a sober friend. Or wanting to. And I have 3 1/2 months of sobriety. Why kid yourslef? The only thing to do there IS drink.and.gamble. And the drinks are free! I worry that you are totally fooling yourself. If you want me to tell you the truth, then I say do not go. Period.

nonblondechef

Personally I would not have been able to go at 30 days. At four months it would still freak me out and trigger me. Gosh, I still don't go to my best drinking friend's house for those very reasons. Relapse is not an option for me today, tomorrow, or next week. I don't drink. I also do not put myself in uncomfortable situations yet. I am a selfish chef :-) Good luck with your decision and may you stay forever strong.

Threshold

I don't gamble and I went to Vegas and had a blast. I also ignored the free porn available. You don't have to do what isn't appealing.

What do you do there? Shop, enjoy the beautiful gardens. The art museum in the Belagio, the amazing restaurants.The dancing water fountain, The fun decor in the various hotels. The aquarium at Monteray Bay, the shows, gelato, gelato, gelato. The flamingos, the lions ,the view of the strip from the 11th floor.

The boat ride down the canal in the Venitian...ah..Indonesian dancers, Philipino fast food...

I had a lot of fun

walktheline1

There is a lot to do off and on the strip that doesn't involve drinking. Check out the dam, the new bridge, red rocks park, mount charleston, bowling, cruising the strip looking at architecture, shows, etc.

omegasupreme

Not sure if you attend AA or not. I'll be there 5/24-5/29. Huge recovery party on the 28th, prime rib, fried turkeys, speakers from around the planet...at Connect the Dots Group on Palomino.

PM me for details, or if you need contacts...plenty of family in recovery there.