This is advice that is worth taking on board at any time of year but as we approach the biggest drinking season of all, it is particularly pertinent.
Just because we can no longer drink. This does not mean that is wrong for others to do so and there is no reason for us to frown upon those who want to have a drink or two in a convivial atmosphere with friends and family. There is also no reason for us to shun these people for the remainder of our lives. It is just wise in early recovery from alcoholism not to put ourselves at risk when we might still be feeling a little awkward with our non-drinking status.
Early Recovery
So if you are in early recovery – say of a few weeks or months – do you avoid the Christmas and New Year drinks parties? Only you can judge that. If they really are just ‘get drunk’ occasions you may wish to make your excuses. Or just go along for the first hour or so and have a planned exit strategy. If you are very worried about it and whether or not you can resist the drink, don’t go at all. But if you go for a short while and are feeling strong and alert to danger. Then you should be able to cope.
If there is a dinner involved, you might find it helpful to arrive just before dinner, avoiding the pre-dinner drinks session and leave just after, before any other guests get down to serious post dinner drinking. If you stay longer it may feel like more of an endurance test. You will quickly come to realise how boring people who have had too much to drink are. They are loud and keep repeating themselves, by and large!
Tell People
It helps if people know you no longer drink because then they should not put you under pressure. From personal experience, the first time I realised I had a serious alcohol problem, I got sober (with a supervised detox) and stayed that way for 3 months. I felt better and knew I had not been through proper rehab nor been to AA. Went to a work dinner and felt quite strong – but no one knew I no longer drank. I was so concerned that if I did not have a drink then people might think I had a drink problem that I had one! And so began several more months of misery drinking far too much and being unable to control it.
Another thing that can help you get through a drinking occasion without drinking is not to arrive with an empty stomach.
People Don’t Care
A couple of things you will soon realise and be relieved about. First, not that many people hit the bottle in the same way we thought they did. That was just our perception when we were hitting it. Second very few people actually care whether or not we drink and many do not even notice it. It might be important to us, but to those who can take or leave alcohol, they don’t mind if we leave it either!
If you or someone you care about needs help for a drink problem. Call 01462 851414