thomas11

Create an exit strategy to be able to leave if things get dicey.

August252015

THIS. Oh, and DON'T GO.

I say this sincerely and without condescension or such - I am flabbergasted at how many people put themselves in these situations at the beginning of their sobriety.

There are a million reasons not to go and not one good one to go that would be worth drinking over, IMO - NOT ONE. I say this as some who had no need or nor allowed anyone's plans to get me to go anywhere til I was ready, and that was a conservative estimate on my part!

Exit stage left.

Hawkeye13

It does sound pretty dangerous in these early days,
but if you have made up your mind, I suggest "food touring"
as a nice alt to the party stuff.

I think the early morning excursions sound like a good call,
but realistically, you will be in a very very tempting environment
to relapse, no matter what you do to mitigate it.

The smart money would be to not try it, but my sense of you
is that the decision has already been taken

Post here before doing anything rash, and set your watch for at least an hour
if temptation strikes, and immediately remove yourself from said situation.

You've been doing so very well LG--sometimes us smartazzes derail* ourselves
in the face of too much success, which I'm sure you understand (*ahem . . .)

wayforward

I can relate to the desire to willpower through these types of things. Just be vigilant and prepared. You never know how you're going to feel in the moment.

lessgravity

Thank you to everyone here.

Dee - I downloaded those two plan PDFs to my Kindle - will read and have with me.

I am simply not going to drink in New Orleans. I'm on on day 23 but I'm not entirely new to this game - I have a toolbox accumulated over the years.

Not being naive or overly confident. I know I may or will have weak pangs or strong urges. But I also know I feel calm and solid in my not drinking and I enjoy food and dancing and being out.

Luckily I've also been on a Ketosis meal plan for a couple weeks, seeing results, feeling great. No booze even for non-alkies on that plan. Only cheating I'm going to do is some carbs for the weekend.

I will stay in touch here definitely.

Komplex

.

Is this the weekend your going LG? If so - stay close

lessgravity

Next weekend. And I plan to do just that.

Thanks Komp.

Hawkeye13

Just to be on record with the court,
am on your side and wanting positive outcome

I often live in ketosis--isn't the anwer in itself, as you know

lessgravity

Thanks Hawk. I'm not over confident, but I am sure that I'm not drinking.

Ketosis is not the answer to everything!?! Now that's something we disagree about.

wayforward

Man, everybody is doing keto these days. What are your go to foods?

lessgravity

I've run keto on and off for a few years now. Love it.

Meat, chicken, fish, eggs

Avocado

Leafy greens

Whole fat cheeses, butter, oils

Thats really it. No real fruit besides berries. No sweets, no grains.

I find that I feel terrific after a few days, less appetite, lose weight and enjoy the meals too.

Mark Sisson and RuledMe are my two go to sources.

lessgravity

Leaving in a couple days - my non-drinking status is firmly etched in my mind.

I've visualized the whole weekend without a drink.

I have here, my sponsor and just a simple exit stage left planned in case the beast gets active.

I just simply know I am not drinking.

Thank you to everyone here - just checking in for myself and going to update this post as the week moves along.

DontRemember

Just enjoy the event(I hate weddings and not because of drinking) and area sober... also enjoy not acting a drunken fool. Go do some stuff drinking you wouldn't have felt like. Sober you can make this a great experience for yourself and your wife..Drinking you that's a wild card,yeah? I doubt you'll be the only nondrinker and probably not the only person in recovery there.

lessgravity

Yes, I plan to. Have a swamp tour early Friday. Saturday I'm going to go for a run first thing in the morning.

Also I have a great app that gives me meeting in any area - if I have an hour (or I need a meeting), I'm going to dial it up.

DontRemember

Have you ever been to NO before?

daredevil

less, I don't think I would go (i've only got 2 1/2 months) because I can't visage being in NO and not drink. I'd wreck my sobriety. I'd have a good time in so doing, but then I'd feel terrible about it. Even though it doesn't negate sober time, I'd beat myself over drinking, fret over starting fresh, I'd feel guilty, I'd resent myself, I'd castigate myself, get depressed, feel anxious and inept. But I'd probably have a good time if I went. Which is why I wouldn't even go. For me going to New Orleans *is* drinking.

lessgravity

Yes, twice. Love it there. Why?

lessgravity

Yeah I'm no kid - 40yo here - and the idea of not drinking in New Orleans excites me. I actually like weddings, like the food and the dancing. I don't feel like I'm sacrificing anything by not drinking - quite the opposite.

It's exactly those feelings of self-castigation and resentment that I am going to avoid by not drinking.

Though I appreciate the thoughts and advice DD.

DontRemember

Just asking..It's a cool city! I went a few times before I drank and had a blast!! then went twice in party mode.. my trips were nightmares caused by someone's drinking.

Jack16

Thanks Dee, some great links there