August252015

I didn't think of it in a spiritual way- because that is an active thing. It just struck me as a little thought that can wiggle its way in at some point because there's not specific (v ephemeral) tools in best place.

biminiblue

I still don't understand how it's, "alcoholic thinking," if there is such a thing.

A barrier is a barrier.

ColoradoRocky

Our friend Sufficient and his wife are presumeably in Las Vegas this weekend, and he'll surely know sooner or later whether or not at eight or nine months into his recovery he can hang out in a place like Vegas and not drink.

SuficintCrlsns

Back from Vegas. We got a comp night at Excalibur so that where we stayed. Hit the dinner buffet and saw a show at Bellagio. Walked the strip yesterday. It was all great and a good re-connection between the wife and I.

Some observations:

Instead of 'laughing to myself' at drunk people, I found myself pitying some of them. Also, being around that much drinking, I realized how much I smell alcohol on people now where I didn't before. It was eye opening and I thought "Did I used to smell like that?" You bet I did.

There's no better deterrent for me than watching stumbling drunks reeking of the smell all around.

Someone mentioned diet soda in a previous post...I usually don't even drink soda at all, even diet, but my big splurge in Vegas was eating some carbs and diet soda. I'm on a Keto diet, so my version of getting 'wild' in Vegas was a couple of diet cheat days. I was actually weirdly excited about all of the flavor options for Coke Zero at the buffet. Funny how my priorities have changed.

I had no doubts going in, but not once was there even an inkling of an urge to drink. Several polite, 'no thank you's to drink girls offering drinks in the casinos was all it took. My wife is a very occasional drinker, so she didn't drink at all either. I would have been fine if she wanted a glass of wine, but I think she would have seen it as a lack of support.

As I suspected, it felt really good. Thank you all who replied with positive supportive posts, it meant a lot.

SC

ColoradoRocky

Something about your whole attitude and tone led me to think you would be alright. And, by the way, I'm the one who mentioned diet pop...and I drank a couple of free gallons of it while I was there!

Even though I've never met her, I like your wife.

Dee74

Glad all went well SC

newhope01

SuficintCrlsns

What do I need to reframe? The 'plan' is simply not to drink again, ever. It can really be boiled down to that for me. There's more to the 'invisible barrier' for me than you probably realize. It is an attitude, a way of life now.

When I say 'way of life' though, it doesn't mean I avoid certain activities because 'there may be drinking'. That would make me a victim. I have whole-heartedly and unconditionally surrendered to alcohol after a lot of struggle. That doesn't mean I have to hide from it. Surrender doesn't equal defeat.

Right now there's a bottle of Fireball, a bottle of Tequila Rose (whatever the he** that is) and about six bottles of wine in a wine fridge in my kitchen. My daughters live at home and are in their early twenties, so they drink, just not much around the house. My wife enjoys a very occasional glass of wine. When we have family over for dinner, we crack a bottle of wine.

The last time I relapsed, I passed all of that stuff up, went to the liquor store and bought Vodka. I almost gag when I look at the alcohol in the wine fridge. I just have no interest. If I ever did see it as a problem, I know my family would understand if I asked to get rid of it, but as it stands, there's no reason to punish them for my issue.

I know everyone is different, but for me, focusing on the problem by spending my life trying to find ways where I won't see alcohol or be around alcohol would make me feel weak and defeated. I focus on sobriety, period.

All that said, I understand that everyone is different and some of us need a little more separation, so I'm not making any recommendations here.

SC

SuficintCrlsns

I thought it was you, but wasn't sure. I do love Coke Zero, but try to stay away except for special occasions now. Given my addictive personality, it could easily be a gateway drug back to the real stuff for me. I used to drink non-diet soda like water.

Yes, my wife is good as gold. She's the main reason, along with daughters, that I walk the line now.

SC

Ghostlight1

I understand you completely. And, yes, that smell. To think I smelled like that for thirty years.
Anyway, today, as usual, a buddy came over and I bought him a six pack which he drank two of.
Doesn't bother me a bit. I, too, surrendered to alcohol. It beat me down and won. Now I'm over it.
I'm glad you had an excellent time.

PozSkaggs

I got sober in Vegas and did my 90 in 90 there and it was fantastic! The Bungalow Club was my home group and the 12:00 Men's Only Meeting at the central office were my favorites. Go meeting hopping there if you can, you won't be sorry.

Zevin

I read somewhere that Las Vegas has more AA meetings than any other city of its size. I bet some would be very interesting!
SC, glad you had a good, sober time.

SuficintCrlsns

Makes sense. I just wonder, do the surroundings create more alcoholism, or do alcoholics (many are gambling addicts too) tend to congregate there? Makes you wonder.

SC

Dee74

Welcome to SR Poz.

D

August252015

I just picked up on that one sentence for some reason - apologies for sounding like I was discounting your entire plan and view. Glad it was a good trip.