Is it just my imagination
 

I got home from work yesterday and the wife has a glass of wine in her hand as she greats me. I Hear commotion upstairs and my daughter and her friends are getting ready to go out for the night. One friend comes down the stairs with two wine glasses, tops up the glasses and returns upstairs. On the TV comes an advertisement for the local bottle shop displaying this weeks specials. My son comes in with a stubbie of beer and has a chat about his day to me for 5-10 minutes whilst sipping delightfully from the bottle.
The news comes on the TV and its all about Anzac day celebrations (today) with stories of mateship, having a beer with your mates....................etc. There seems to be alcohol everywhere i look. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
I am feeling strong again though and have filled myself full of confidence and willpower after the last couple of hard and testing days. Have a fantastic day everyone :) Day 18 woohooooo

I think it's always like that - we just become hyper aware of it in early recovery.
It gets better - I rarely notice drinking around me now :)

D

I guess if alcohol wasn't a problem to me i wouldn't notice so much!

That's right, Pedro. I was hypersensitive about it for the first few months, but those feelings eventually faded. Great job on your 18 days!! Proud of you. :)

Also it was a big part of your life, so you've surrounded yourself with it a bit.

I used to think alcohol was everywhere and unavoidable, now I'm kind of noticing that it's not really as common as I once thought.

But my wife still drinks on occasion, our friends drink, (some too much, some are fine)... For the first couple weeks I fealt like I was dodging grenades, now its more like small kittens in the road... Yeah it'd suck to hit one, but as long as I stay vigilent it shouldn't be a problem.

It is everywhere, TV, celebrations, weekends, radio commericals, music, everyday conversations with just people in general "that calls for a cocktail" "Its five o'clock somewhere lol".
But since I've been hit with the realty that I have a problem I've also noticed the negatives out there as well. I've notice how many issues on the news is a result of somebody being drunk, or celebrities that I've always like coming clean about their addiction to alcochol, and just small things here and there reminding me Yup, remember the bad it's not really like that song that makes a night of drinking cool.

Try and keep your ears open to signs that your on the right path.

Thanks everyone I have my SR fix now i am going to go and start my productive and sober day :)

early stages of recovery
 

I've been a little more aware of the number of alcohol advertisements, but I don't seem to notice others' habits. However, on one of my first days after quitting alcohol, I used the ATM and one of the options was "Withdrawal." I laughed internally :-)

I guess the problem is mine to fix not theirs, that's the reality of it. I need to learn to cope with alcohol around me anyway be it friends family or strangers :)

I do think people could be a bit more sensitive though, Pedro. It may be our problem, but you'd hope friends & family would be a little more thoughtful and supportive. Glad you stayed strong. :)

I've always wished they would show the day after in the alcohol commercials. What some of those beautiful people look like the morning after. What I really wish is that that they would do the same as they did for the cigarrette commercials well not sure if that is worldwide or not but here they cannot advertise tobacco anymore, even has to be hidden from the public eye in stores.

I don't want to become one of those reformed drinkers that shoves the alcohol is bad message in everyone's face. I was drinking with them all over the last 30 years! In reality i just need to get over it as my life is full of family, friends and colleagues that are regular drinkers.

You got a great attitude. :You_Rock_

Pedro, Day 18 woohooooo? You are FANTASTIC. Congratulations. :egypt:

You don't have to be. :-) Alcohol is not a problem for most people. For us, it is. I like your idea of focusing on the fullness of your life with family and friends.

Aww acheleus, that's gotta be tough. It's just another 24.:)

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

Your doing great, keep it going!