Posted on 12/16/2004 8:18:49 AM PST by SweetCaroline
Holiday Tips -Take Care of Yourself First-Join the Discussion
"After enjoying sobriety for a few years I realize how many holidays I wasted, drinking in bars, drinking in the kitchen and becoming too drunk to join the family for dinner!" Magic
I lived with the book "Living Sober" for seven years. It offered me very helpful suggestions in some very tricky situations. I learned that no one cares if I'm drinking or not and that "what" I carried in my glass was rarely noticed by anyone. At first I had the usual questions and fears about social activities like, what do I drink and what do I say, etc. I was one of those people that learned to say "Not right now, thank you".
The holiday hype is just another world situation that we have to deal with and with peace and serenity in our lives, it just happens. We must remember that in times of hype and high stress, it's okay to withdraw and quiet our insides until we feel strong again. It took me awhile; it is not an overnight accomplishment. It takes time and that's okay too.
We first have to learn to take care of ourselves and that's not selfish. It's self preservation and growth. We can't give to others what we do not have ourselves and I can't be carried on the whim of other people especially when I realize that at the other end, I will be left with whatever has been created by the situation and the other person probably won't be there nor will they care about my insides or about the level of my peace and serenity.
If I let myself go off the deep end because of people, places, and things, who is there to catch me? No one. Except, GOD. If my life is right with GOD then me and God can handle anything.
Don't let life be controlled by any person or thing or whatever. Be in balance with things as they happen and let you soul be with the Lord and nature and things will work for the good.
Later, An anonymous alcoholic
YOUR RIGHT.My husband and I use to dance before he hurt his leg, and you know we could drink all night when we danced!
I simply say, "Thanks, I've had enough already."
Thanks!!
JSC
I think it is when your young,especially for the men, like, "WHAT'S A MATTER BOY YOU CAN'T KEEP UP WITH ME".
I’ve heard a lot of people say that.
I must be really weird. I don’t know if I was (am?) an alcoholic. I drank heavy for 25 years though. Literally would burn through a 12 pack of beer before lunch but after work was when the drinking really started. I’d go through one of those 1.75 liter bottles of Seagram’s in two days.
Did that day in and day out for decades. Then one day I was doing something and realized I hadn’t drunk anything in three or four days. Haven’t touched any since.
It isn’t anything I consciously tried to do… just sort-of got bored with it or “forgot” or something. Sometimes it’s nice being sorta dopey.
"I drink either Diet Coke (blood sugar probs) or ginger ale and bitters...in a short glass, with a sip stick."
My advice is to stay away from diet drinks. Bitters and ginger ale is fine. However, if you can have bottled water for these latter two's do so.
And, since your username has cake in it, here's is another great piece of advice: stay away from layer cakes and anything with so-called butter cream. They will kill you! I know, I was in the business.
BTW, I'm a diabetic.
I don't have a problem with it now ,but, I did. I don't know why, probably because I did want another. LOL
God knows I used to be a drinker. Sober since 2-3-98. If I am offered today I just say "No, I quit drinking." If they want to know why-I tell them. It's suprising how often people want to know more about alcoholics and AA after that.
It has provided me with more than a couple of opportunities to be of use to someone.
Am looking REAL forward to the food though.
YOU DIDN'T DID YOU?
....so that's why my plants look so sick after the holiday's!
My family was the same way, we were all happy drunks and had a ball. Even my ex-husband wanted to spend the holidays with us. He said his family was dull!
>> I learned that no one cares if I'm drinking or not and that "what" I carried in my glass was rarely noticed by anyone. <<
Sorry, but I have had different experiences. I have noticed that many people comment and get crazy about what you have in your glass. I have been called some unfriendly names regarding partying when I would stick to just Diet Coke. Now I get a Diet Coke and stick a lime in it.
It tastes good, low in calories and everyone thinks it's a mixed drink.
I have never been a drinker. People somehow are amazed (and pushy) if you do not indulge in alcohol. It was my easy way out.
Alcohol has never been a part of our family gatherings. In-laws or my own, so I must be the only one who knows my drinking is going to slow down during the holidays because I know it's not socially acceptable.
Even during work parties, I find it difficult getting your "drunk" on in front of other people.
I guess that's why I'm more of a closet alcoholic.
Nobody knows except my wife.
Sadly, peer pressure only increases as we become adults.
I know this is true, but I think it out of envy. I know when I was a heavy drinker, if I saw someone wasn't drinking I wondered why I couldn't be like them. BUT, I never tried to make them feel uncomfortable. Since I have quit drinking, I have run across some people who have tried to make me feel that way.
In my mind there are different kind of exes, (be it drinkers, smokers,eaters etc. )those that ridicule , those that envy, or those that celebrate with you are some examples. Even though you have never liked drinking you will meet up with the same kind.
I'm relatively young and never had a problem with that. I usually shot back, "You're looking manlier right now, but which one us is going to be able to get an erection later tonight?" Usually shut them up quickly. : )
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