Straightedgeste

What shall I drink?

doggonecarl

When I was two weeks into sobriety, I had to stay away from the places that contributed to my drinking. That meant bars. The temptation to drink would have been overwhelming.

So instead of asking, what should I drink? I ask you, why go? Why stick your head in the lion's mouth when getting bit by a lion was your problem?

Missy7

If you must be there, drink regular soda and keep em coming

Tell the bartender one time...give him a $2.00 tip when you tell him to make sure you do not run out of coke. The tip will make you not seem cheap.

bbthumper

Are you really unsure about what to drink or are you using that question to get feedback on an idea which you know is probably not a good one?

FamilyMan2153

I NEVER pick on people who post but that was not the best. You should drink iced tea at your house. I think you know that.

fatherof2ds

All I can say, if my friends asked me to go out with them, I would be drinking water out of my faucet at home.

Straightedgeste

Some of these replies have actually made me laugh!!!

This is a genuine question!!

When I've gone to the pub before I have a beer, I have a season ticket for my local football team, part of that is socialising at the pub!

I'm not gonna give up one of the social things I do in the week because I want to give up drink!!

It's a genuine question!!

Yes it will be a challenge but I feel I don't need a drink to socialise

doggonecarl

I doubt anyone is trying to be funny. You're determined to go. I wish you good luck.

FamilyMan2153

I am with Carl. If you have to go then go.

Xune

We're to believe that you are genuinely unaware what kinds of non-alcoholic beverages are served in pubs and you need persons on an internet forum to direct you towards those beverages?

Sure...

I wish you well in the choices you make.

Natom

I know peoples replies might have seemed a bit harsh...but the old adage goes 'If you hang around the barbershop long enough then you're gonna get your hair cut'. Regardless of whether it's social or not you shouldn't be in the pub. That's just asking for trouble.

Natom.

FreeFall

Keep in mind on SR people are answering based on their own experiences. What you're proposing would not be an option for a lot of people here so there is a strong reaction to your question. It could send a lot of people into a relapse so it's a scary thing to even imagine doing.

I feel like you do, that I'm not going to give up socializing and my friends because I quit drinking. I still see my friends in our local bar and I've been able to do it sober. I drink a lot of 7 up and ginger ale, or just plain water. I won't lie, there have been times (especially early on, now notsomuch) it has been incredibly difficult to quiet the voice inside that wants to drink. I have actually left the building and read SR on my phone so I wouldn't cave in. It can be done, but don't kid yourself that it will be easy. Don't be surprised if your friends try to convince you to drink either, that also quiets down after a few weeks.

I think you should be able to have some fun while working on recovery. Life is short.

Straightedgeste

Thanks a lot Freefall!!!

That's what annoyed me!

I get that for other people it might be difficult but for me the pub wasn't the problem. And I was after a response like yours because I genuinely found it difficult to think of a drink apart for beer I could drink at the pub.

I just think the reaction is people only seeing it there way, not seeing my side!!

Don't judge me just cause I feel different to you!! I don't judge anyone! All people are different and all people have different issues

LadyinBC

Some places I avoid, some I'm okay in. I personally would drink coffee, but that is what I like.

Also it wouldn't hurt to have a plan if you feel you are going to relapse or have a bad moment. I leave a place if i don't feel "safe" and if you need to leave there is nothing wrong with that.

LadyinBC

Please remember that the comments are coming from people who have the best intentions. They are just giving you their experiences.

MIRecovery

The problem with this line of reasoning is. At 12 days sober it is anyone's guess whether you have given up drinking. I have no doubt that one part of your brain says I have given it up but the addictive voice at 12 days is still very very strong. How many hundreds of times have we said to ourselves this time it is going to be different? Only to fine out it wasn't?

It is a whole lot easier to order a drink than it is to drive to a store and get it. In early sobriety we are walking a razor's edge and something very small can push us off that edge.

The first step in sobriety is to give up drinking and to be comfortable and confident in that decision. The second step is to rebuild our lives.

Straightedgeste

When you say it that way I understand where your coming from.

I just feel that I can't avoid the pub forever, I go to the football to watch the game and have a laugh with my friends, I feel this is something I've got to get over and do

Thanks for the reply :-)

ScottFromWI

I was a home drinker for the most part but do have a favorite micro-brew pub that I would frequent. Even during my heavy drinking times I would genrally only have 1 or 2 beers max at the bar before going home and doing my heavy drinking. Having said that, I - like you missed my friends there and eventually did go back to see them. I told them right up front that I wasn't drinking anymore before I even sat down, and they were kind of floored because I never really drank much at the bar anyway.

Bottom line, I was fine for a couple visits but inevitably I went back to my old ways. Not sure if the bar itself was to blame or my home drinking, but it's very very difficult to be hanging out at a place designed specifically for drinking when you are trying not to drink.

My advice would be to tell your buddies up front what you are doing. Don't try to make up any excuses. I can guarantee some of them will try to talk you into having a drink, that's what drinking buddies do. Best of luck and hope we hear about your sober day 13 tomorrow. Be strong.

ReadyAtLast

I know how hard it must be if your social life is based around pubs. I also think it is very dangerous ground. I wouldn't want to go to a pub now (34 days) no way would I have gone to one at 2 weeks.You normally drink beer in the pub.Have you really thought of what may happen? Your friends will all be drinking,they 'll be buying you beer,asking why you aren't drinking ,persuading you ,oh go on just have couple-there's nothing wrong with it/what's wrong with you?,the smell,the sight, the temptation there in front of you.you really believe you won't drink? It is hard to say no when everyone else is drinking

I don't mean avoid the pub forever of course just maybe get a few more weeks sobriety and feel stronger. Cravings can just hit you so suddenly and if you are in a pub its so easy to give in

MIRecovery

Get over drinking first. You have a lifetime of football and friends to look forward to if you quit drinking. If you do not get over drinking you will have a life time of the misery you are currently enjoying