Ornithology

I was out of town on business the other day. My meeting finished early and I was unable to get a earlier flight home, so I was stuck at a nice hotel until the following morning. When I drank, I lived for opportunities like this. I could have a few beers at the hotel, have a bunch more at the restaurant with dinner, and get a 12-pack and drink that in the room or close the hotel bar down, wake-up the next morning hungover or still drunk from the previous night and sleep on the plane ride home. No one to count my beers or tell me when I've had enough.

I fought the urge to drink, had a early dinner at a very nice restaurant, focused on the food and not the drink, went back to the room and read for a few hours before going to bed. I woke up the next morning feeling great and even went for a run before heading to the airport. What a difference five months make.

anchorbird

That is truly awesome! Pat yourself on the back!

jt1234

That's great. This is a position I haven't been in yet since quitting.

ClearMind

Great job not drinking. It's amazing how awesome sobriety is.

BradJustBrad

That is awesome, Ornithology! Thanks for the inspiration.

12mancan

Great job!

least

Congrats on five months sober! It sure is nice to wake up feeling good, isn't it?

Blaizze

Great job! and congrats on the 5 months.

neferkamichael

Ornithology, you are FANTASTIC, congratulations, rootin for ya.

DoPerdition

Good for you! Trips out of town are a huge trigger for me too. I have avoided them but I am only 73 days sober. I know I will be tested down the road. I will remember your story. Great job!

KateL

You a are a star and an inspiration to us all !! xx

Dan Dare

Great job all. I'm at 41 and last night was a test.
I was at a gig and I asked for a water and my friend behind the bar waved a rocks glass at me and said "That's it???"
A moment of weirdness.

reflection

I'll be in this situation next month. Thank you for sharing your experience and congrats on straying true to yourself!

Dee74

Great post Ornithology - thank you

D

PurpleKnight

Great Stuff!!

soberclover

Awesome job!

Hevyn

Doesn't that feel good? Every time we make it through a temptation like that we grow stronger. Very proud of you Ornith.

OliveDog

I cancelled an upcoming business trip because I used to drink my self silly -- at the airport, on the plane, in the hotel, etc.

Glad you were able to stay strong. Sounds like it was a great experience.

I hope I can do the same thing after a couple of months.

HeartsAfire

Same here. I have a conference in Austin in Feb. I appreciate you paving the way & letting us know it can be done successfully.

Way to go!!!

JackieC

I have two business trips coming up in the next month and have been thinking a lot about this. I have a plan in place that sounds a lot like what you did so I'm thrilled to hear it worked so well for you. It sounds like it's a hurdle for a lot of us because there is no accountability except to ourselves (no getting caught). I am, however, so determined to not let myself down -- that it has become the biggest accountability of all. Gotta be able to look in the mirror the next day, even if it is a hotel bathroom mirror.

Jackie