Surviving Vegas?
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 67
Surviving Vegas?
I'm going to Vegas next month for Halloween and to visit some friends, most of them work as bartenders, DJs or dancers at the clubs out there. Ugh! I don't know how I'm going to survive this! Also, one of my friends is really hott and without some liquid courage I'll be too nervous to hit on her lol. How will I survive Vegas being dry!
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,444
My answer may not please you, but I think we have to sensible about the choices we make in the first few months.
I'd reconsider going to Vegas. It's simply not something I would have been able to do in month 2.
Making change in our lives requires change - and some tough decisions, I think.
D
I'd reconsider going to Vegas. It's simply not something I would have been able to do in month 2.
Making change in our lives requires change - and some tough decisions, I think.
D
Last edited by Dee74; 09-07-2012 at 05:00 PM.
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Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,225
I agree with Dee. Change your plans. That's a slip waiting to happen.
If you have to go, I would call AA, find out the meeting schedule there, and arrange a sober person to meet you at a meeting each day.
If you have to go, I would call AA, find out the meeting schedule there, and arrange a sober person to meet you at a meeting each day.
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,947
Like Dee said... Maybe it is too early yet.
I was in Vegas last month, not to stay any length of time, but I did go downtown to play some old fashioned black jack (5 dollar tables) as we didn't fly out until the next day. I had a great time... Didn't win, but I didn't lose either. My wife never drinks when we are out black jack is best played sober anyway.
I will tell you that your post doesn't leave me particularly confident that you will got out of there sober... Halloween, really "hott" friend, all that... What do you want?
I was in Vegas last month, not to stay any length of time, but I did go downtown to play some old fashioned black jack (5 dollar tables) as we didn't fly out until the next day. I had a great time... Didn't win, but I didn't lose either. My wife never drinks when we are out black jack is best played sober anyway.
I will tell you that your post doesn't leave me particularly confident that you will got out of there sober... Halloween, really "hott" friend, all that... What do you want?
Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 117
In Vegas, on Halloween, in clubs, with bartenders and already thinking about "liquid courage"? Are you serious?
Not meaning to be flippant, but that sounds like just about THE most dangerous situation an alcoholic can put themselves in, especially for a weekend binge-r and party-er as you self-proclaim.
Honestly, if I were you, I would run as fast as I can in the opposite direction!
Not meaning to be flippant, but that sounds like just about THE most dangerous situation an alcoholic can put themselves in, especially for a weekend binge-r and party-er as you self-proclaim.
Honestly, if I were you, I would run as fast as I can in the opposite direction!
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 67
Well I have to be there for work so there's no getting out of that. BUT I can definitely just see my friends in the day time for lunch or go vintage shopping and not go to the clubs and not go to the Halloween parties. And the liquid courage part was a joke. Although I am nervous to hit on my really hott friend, I don't need alcohol to do it lol. And she's a fitness model who doesn't drink so it's not like she'll be drinking either. But she is going to the parties. I'll probably just go back to my hotel and watch tv and go to bed early lol. I'm not confident that I could go see my other friends at the clubs and not be tempted to drink with them.
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Norfolk, MA
Posts: 792
How likely is that, Reco? Seriously?
I'm with Pipparina. I would go armed with a meeting list. Just google LV and AA and you will find all the meetings or central service office you can call. I can't tell you how many times I have arrived in a city in my many years of travels and had my folded up list of meetings. Some I went to, some I didn't. The point is, I left no excuse open to myself
to relapse. It always left me feeling empowered to have those lists.
If you are serious about your sobriety, and you can't get out of this trip, tell some of your Las Vegas friends what's going on with you. It might make it alittle easier when you are making your night time plans in the "City of Sin".
I'm with Pipparina. I would go armed with a meeting list. Just google LV and AA and you will find all the meetings or central service office you can call. I can't tell you how many times I have arrived in a city in my many years of travels and had my folded up list of meetings. Some I went to, some I didn't. The point is, I left no excuse open to myself
to relapse. It always left me feeling empowered to have those lists.
If you are serious about your sobriety, and you can't get out of this trip, tell some of your Las Vegas friends what's going on with you. It might make it alittle easier when you are making your night time plans in the "City of Sin".
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LA - Lower Alabama
Posts: 5,068
Sounds to me like you are planning your next relapse. No one, no matter how "hot" they are, is worth this. Change your MO. Break the pattern. Don't go to Las Vegas, stay home, hit a couple of AA meetings and stay sober.
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Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 81
Going to Vegas, especially to visit with a group of bartenders, DJs, and dancers - not a likely mix for sobriety. Aside from it being a party town, it's dangerous too.
When I went to Vegas 6 years ago, I had fun... but then it was not so fun being slipped the date rape drug, being separated from my friends in a club, followed around by a stranger from Australia in the night, then having someone lure me into a car, only to pull a gun on me, point it in my face, threaten to kill me if I didn't give them all my money, abduct me in their car, then walk me to the ATM machine in who knows what part of town, with the gun in my back and force me to take all the money I had out of my bank account.
I thought I was going to die that night.
Never in my wildest dreams would I ever want to go back to that town - sober or not sober.
When I went to Vegas 6 years ago, I had fun... but then it was not so fun being slipped the date rape drug, being separated from my friends in a club, followed around by a stranger from Australia in the night, then having someone lure me into a car, only to pull a gun on me, point it in my face, threaten to kill me if I didn't give them all my money, abduct me in their car, then walk me to the ATM machine in who knows what part of town, with the gun in my back and force me to take all the money I had out of my bank account.
I thought I was going to die that night.
Never in my wildest dreams would I ever want to go back to that town - sober or not sober.
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 67
Thanks for the advice. I guess since you don't know me, you have nothing to judge my character on. I don't crave alcohol or anything like that. I have no problem not drinking. It's the partying on the weekends that has done me in. I don't meet the criteria of an alcoholic according to my previous physicians but they have noted that I am abusing alcohol on weekends, which isn't good and which is why I've decided to be sober. I don't have a problem going and not partying, it's the parties that I don't feel confident about, which is why I won't go. I'm going for work and had planned on visiting friends and hitting up some Halloween parties but honestly it's not a big deal for me not to go parties, it's not the end of the world. It will make for a slightly boring trip but I can go vintage shopping and do other fun things during the day and just call it an early night. I understand your concern. The point of my post was to actually get some advice on recreational things to do in Vegas besides partying, so that I can at least occupy my time.
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 67
Originally Posted by myheartaches 
Going to Vegas, especially to visit with a group of bartenders, DJs, and dancers - not a likely mix for sobriety. Aside from it being a party town, it's dangerous too.
When I went to Vegas 6 years ago, I had fun... but then it was not so fun being slipped the date rape drug, being separated from my friends in a club, followed around by a stranger from Australia in the night, then having someone lure me into a car, only to pull a gun on me, point it in my face, threaten to kill me if I didn't give them all my money, abduct me in their car, then walk me to the ATM machine in who knows what part of town, with the gun in my back and force me to take all the money I had out of my bank account.
I thought I was going to die that night.
Never in my wildest dreams would I ever want to go back to that town - sober or not sober.
When I went to Vegas 6 years ago, I had fun... but then it was not so fun being slipped the date rape drug, being separated from my friends in a club, followed around by a stranger from Australia in the night, then having someone lure me into a car, only to pull a gun on me, point it in my face, threaten to kill me if I didn't give them all my money, abduct me in their car, then walk me to the ATM machine in who knows what part of town, with the gun in my back and force me to take all the money I had out of my bank account.
I thought I was going to die that night.
Never in my wildest dreams would I ever want to go back to that town - sober or not sober.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 67
Originally Posted by lfh4555
Why not just be honest with your friend and let her know you're interested? The possibility of rejection can be a scary thing, but is not fatal. Active alcoholism, on the other hand, can be.
There's a roundup in Vegas in November, I'm signed up, registered, room booked, flight booked. It'll be cool to be back in Vegas and not be sitting in some casino hammered. Come to the roundup in Vegas if you can!!!
lh
There's a roundup in Vegas in November, I'm signed up, registered, room booked, flight booked. It'll be cool to be back in Vegas and not be sitting in some casino hammered. Come to the roundup in Vegas if you can!!!
lh
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: boise
Posts: 1
Renee~
The truth regarding your recovery is that well, it's about you.
You know the obvious answer to this problem (YES- it's a big f* problem).
The reality is: you will more than likely will go to Vegas (why even consider it if you were honest about recovery), you will blame some dramatic event that you inevitably set up for yourself to relapse (flirting issue, rejection issue, party people).
You are wanting others to already sympathize with your PLANNED relapse.
Hope you can make it back to recovery. When you want to live without the pain, then just breathe... accept one day as a possitive, and know life is worth a clear head & honesty to yourself. Take care.
You know the obvious answer to this problem (YES- it's a big f* problem).
The reality is: you will more than likely will go to Vegas (why even consider it if you were honest about recovery), you will blame some dramatic event that you inevitably set up for yourself to relapse (flirting issue, rejection issue, party people).
You are wanting others to already sympathize with your PLANNED relapse.
Hope you can make it back to recovery. When you want to live without the pain, then just breathe... accept one day as a possitive, and know life is worth a clear head & honesty to yourself. Take care.
Powerless over Alcohol
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Trudging the Road to Happy Destiny!
Posts: 4,018
Well that facts are the facts...
Which do you want more , to be sober and live without that remose and guilt ?
Or hit on this hot girl?
I know which one I chose for way to long. I like the sober road today. And in the first couple months there was no way I was getting involved with someone anyway. Way to much growing and chaging happens the first year of sobriety..
I hope you choose some great AA meetings instead while your there..
Which do you want more , to be sober and live without that remose and guilt ?
Or hit on this hot girl?
I know which one I chose for way to long. I like the sober road today. And in the first couple months there was no way I was getting involved with someone anyway. Way to much growing and chaging happens the first year of sobriety..
I hope you choose some great AA meetings instead while your there..
Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 453
For me, in my early days of sobriety I would keep myself away from people,places and things which would possibly jeopardize my sobriety. That meant only getting together with friends when they were "sober" not going with them to Bars or clubs, meeting at a Movie or a Cafe (where I would drive separately incase I felt uncomfortable or wanted to leave early) I stayed away from Vegas and Casinos since those were places which I associated with heavy partying and I know that I would be tempted with free drinks and my guard would be down.
Later on in my Sobriety once I had more time under my belt and more support (regular attendance at AA meetings and more sober friends in my life) I would not shy away from attending work related "Trade Shows" at Vegas. I found a incredible Pinball Hall of Fame, which if you like vintage arcade or most especially Pin Ball, is one of the greatest places in the world. I spent most if not all of my free time there instead of the Casino's (After work)
I think if I were in your situation, I would ask myself if it is really worth the risk going to vegas. If your "Gut feeling" is telling you to be careful, I would trust it and skip Vegas this Halloween. There are plenty of really fun and sober Halloween parties around town locally.
One of the greatest things about attending different AA meetings and finding ones that I enjoyed were making tons of new friends who were Sober and had gone through lots of similar experiences as me. It was incredible to realize I could have a great time with people who were not drinking and using. It is so nice to have conversations with people who will remember the talk the next day. It is so fun to party without having to deal with drunks, vomit, aggression/fights, passing out, baby sitting the intoxicated etc.
It took me stepping away from the drugs and alcohol scene to realize that lots of people and places I had spent most of time associating with were interested in one or two things, mainly getting wasted and flirting/etc. When I had some tough times in life occur, my "Partying" friends were not really there for me. Sure they were there for me when we were going to get loaded, but when it came to really "Needing a Friend" beyond a using friend, they were nowhere to be found.
Sorry I am blabbing, but I think you know what you should do. I know many-times I did, I just did not want to listen to my "Gut" Us alcoholics/addicts are a stubborn bunch!
I wish you only the best in health and happiness I hope you find the peace you are seeking.
Later on in my Sobriety once I had more time under my belt and more support (regular attendance at AA meetings and more sober friends in my life) I would not shy away from attending work related "Trade Shows" at Vegas. I found a incredible Pinball Hall of Fame, which if you like vintage arcade or most especially Pin Ball, is one of the greatest places in the world. I spent most if not all of my free time there instead of the Casino's (After work)
I think if I were in your situation, I would ask myself if it is really worth the risk going to vegas. If your "Gut feeling" is telling you to be careful, I would trust it and skip Vegas this Halloween. There are plenty of really fun and sober Halloween parties around town locally.
One of the greatest things about attending different AA meetings and finding ones that I enjoyed were making tons of new friends who were Sober and had gone through lots of similar experiences as me. It was incredible to realize I could have a great time with people who were not drinking and using. It is so nice to have conversations with people who will remember the talk the next day. It is so fun to party without having to deal with drunks, vomit, aggression/fights, passing out, baby sitting the intoxicated etc.
It took me stepping away from the drugs and alcohol scene to realize that lots of people and places I had spent most of time associating with were interested in one or two things, mainly getting wasted and flirting/etc. When I had some tough times in life occur, my "Partying" friends were not really there for me. Sure they were there for me when we were going to get loaded, but when it came to really "Needing a Friend" beyond a using friend, they were nowhere to be found.
Sorry I am blabbing, but I think you know what you should do. I know many-times I did, I just did not want to listen to my "Gut"
Us alcoholics/addicts are a stubborn bunch!I wish you only the best in health and happiness I hope you find the peace you are seeking.
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: My city of ruins...
Posts: 593
To Vegas or not to Vegas, that is the question. One I'm facing now, actually. I have the opportunity to go with drinking friends on an annual trip in November. I don't gamble and basically only ever went to party. It is cheap, fun and a nice break from working.
This year, so new to my sobriety I am 99% not going. However, thanks to these wise posts, I may give it some more thought since there are so many meetings to hit and could be my safety net. On the other hand, casinos are mind numbingly boring for me sober. So...some research to do I suppose but I'm pretty sure I don't trust myself to be there this year. Maybe next year when I'm stronger and more prepared with tools of my recovery.
Anyway, only you can decide whether it will work for you sober. The thought of being there and watching the stumbling, vomiting, badly behaving drunk people is not particularly appealing to me personally but it seems you've been there sober before and perhaps have a higher tolerance for that kind of thing.
Whatever you choose, we will be here to applaud your success or help you if you slip. That's how we roll
This year, so new to my sobriety I am 99% not going. However, thanks to these wise posts, I may give it some more thought since there are so many meetings to hit and could be my safety net. On the other hand, casinos are mind numbingly boring for me sober. So...some research to do I suppose but I'm pretty sure I don't trust myself to be there this year. Maybe next year when I'm stronger and more prepared with tools of my recovery.
Anyway, only you can decide whether it will work for you sober. The thought of being there and watching the stumbling, vomiting, badly behaving drunk people is not particularly appealing to me personally but it seems you've been there sober before and perhaps have a higher tolerance for that kind of thing.
Whatever you choose, we will be here to applaud your success or help you if you slip. That's how we roll
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