Addiction,Holidays and Social Situations: How do you keep your sobriety?
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****This post focuses on addiction to substances and alcohol****
So...the holidays are upon us. There will be parties. Parties could include substances and alcohol. A lot of us used to be social drinkers or users. Thought it made us the life of the party. It just made us silly. But now that we are in recovery how do you handle these social situations? Do you avoid the parties/work gatherings? Personally I just tell people the truth. I'm a recovering alcoholic. If they don't appreciate and understand that...well,do you want those people in your life?
Think about it. Thoughts...
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i am 3.5 years sober... I am ok with people drinking around me but I found that I just dont enjoy gatherings where people drink a lot... I skip the office party, my extended family knows my story and understands and doesnt flaunt it... they also understand if I politely decline to attend....
I dont use the words recovering alcoholic to normies... I just say I dont drink anymore... it is really interesting that people seem to almost be impressed by that,!! As if I am strong or something... if I am pushed for an explanation I say oh... alcohol and I broke up several years ago... yeah... our relationship turned sour... I was getting too clingy... I said its me not you... you are great, dont change for me... I think we should see other people... people tend to get a laugh out of it... and it is essentially the truth. Many people can relate to being in a bad relationship requiring a break up... and in a lot of ways this analogy is kinda interesting (at least to me).
on another note, while I dont have trouble with out and out cravings when I see alcohol, I get a little more concerned for my emotional sobriety... I have to stay mindful and take care of myself because I dont have alcohol as a coping mechanism for depression, boredom, anxiety (or any other excuse I can come up with!!).... so choose to act and think about things that are helpful for me....
so... those are my thoughts
@radiantTruth47 Well done! And what a way to think of it. You and alcohol broke up because you were too clingy! You left a destructive relationship! Not a way I've thought of it before! Thank you😙
I just avoid holidays... it
@PeterJC thank you so much! Proud of you avoiding your triggers!
Staying away from high-risk situations.
@SwayzeXIII very smart! So much easier to avoid it all together
I
@Nomatterwhat125 sounds like you have been through a lot lately, congrats on staying clean during tumultuous times, I'm so happy for you! We are always here if you need us.
There is more I also just got released from prison in June of this year Ive been there since 2012 ,its impossible to get a job and my whole family I do not relate with oh yeah my wife divorced me after 20 years . I struggle every single day not to stay clean but to survive I am more than a mess these days @Nomatterwhat125
