How to survive a drinking culture??

[neil jt]

Hi, I"m new to this site but i'm so happy I've found it. I live in the west of Ireland, my friends, family and pretty much everyone I know drinks to pass the time. Every football, rugby, GAA game has drink!.......I see people on this site who seem to be doing really well.. have you any advice on how deal with your friend/family?? Right now I just want to invent some illness so people won't hassle me.... any help would be great, thanks, drink is ruining my life

[JackieClaire]

How to survive a drinking culture??

:welcome: neiljt,
You've come to a good place,plenty of Irish here.
In my early days AF (alcohol free) I would use a stomach upset (no body likes to ask what,) meds, high cholesterol.

Keep coming back,keep posting and keep reading.

J x
:l

[mario]

How to survive a drinking culture??

hi & welcome neil jt to mow, you will find great advice & support here from all parts of the world including our emerald isle,You need to put some goals & plans into place.for today if you are have a car go for a drive to get out of your environment for an hour & to,read as many posts here as you can as you are not alone,hope you stick around.ps dont thing you have to invent an illness by coming here you are excepting you have one,well done

[neil jt]

How to survive a drinking culture??

thanks so much guys!

[mario]

How to survive a drinking culture??

Neiljt Today can be the first day of a new life. Use it wisely. If you have not done so already, make a resolution to start making plans/goals . You may find many things about yourself that you don't know, and who knows over the course of this time you may find things about yourself that you really like. Change may be scary but it can also be exciting.

[JackieClaire]

How to survive a drinking culture??

me again,neil

Click on the link below to help you get started with a plan of action.

https://www.mywayout.org/community/f1...box-27556.html

J x

:l

[Tabbers (a.k.a. KTAB)]

How to survive a drinking culture??

Hello Neil, welcome to a fantastic place. Well done on taking the first important step in finding MWO and posting here. May I suggest you check out the book, it was a huge help to me starting out. The support from fellow members is amazing as you will find out. Keep reading and posting and ask if you have any questions or need help.
In relation to you question, ultimately I just told people I was taking a break and I offered no further explanation. It is your body and your life.
Keep safe
KTAB

[Guest]

How to survive a drinking culture??

Hi Neil JT and welcome,

I'm a newbie too and I have been thinking about how not to drink in social occasions.

It's difficult when you have a reputation as being a big drinker, the life and soul of the party, the entertainment.

I haven't been at a big social event yet but I have already told everyone I am on a health kick. (And I am as well as trying to give up AL.) I do the school run most days in my gym kit and go for a run or to the gym as much as possible. They can already see I am losing weight so at the next party the idea of me not drinking is already in their heads as well as mine.

Also, why not become duty driver? This has been my other tactic lately. If we go out to dinner, I say "Let's try somewhere further afield, I'll drive."

Good luck on your journey.

Spam xx

[Anotherday]

How to survive a drinking culture??

Spam, that's a brilliant idea you have going on there.

Welcome, Neil, there are any number of maladies you could say you have - an ulcer, high blood pressure, being on a diet, etc. I say if it makes you comfortable to say you have something going on with you, then by all means do so. It's hard enough just to avoid the drink alone let alone when around others who are drinking.

:welcome: This is a good place to be!

AD

[mama bear]

How to survive a drinking culture??

Hi Neil....
I am honest and tell people that due to allthe crap going on in my life I have noticed that I have been drinking more than I feel is healthy so I am taking a break....no problems so far....

[Lavande]

How to survive a drinking culture??

Hi Neil,

Welcome to MWO, this is a good place!
Take a look in the Tool box (located in the Monthly Abstinence section) for good ideas to help you make your plan to stay away from AL!
I always tell people here that as adults we do not need to justify our choices to other people. A simple 'No thanks' to an offer for a drink should be sufficient! You don't owe anyone an explanation

Wishing you the best!

Lav

[spuddleduck]

How to survive a drinking culture??

:welcome: hi neil. glad you have found us. this is a great place for advice and support. im three weeks in (wehey) and have so far avoided any social drinking events. i know at the moment i couldnt do it. as has already been said people expect you to drink. i found i was very good at making excuses when i was drinking so i hope i will use these skills when i finally face the drinking social events. lots of great advice and ideas from people here who have been in the same place x

[keyners]

How to survive a drinking culture??

I am French and as you can imagine, wine and liquor plays a heavy role in my culture. The way I look at it is that while you will not drink during the soccer games or rugby games, you will be the one sleeping good at night and waking up fresh and without a hangover the next morning. Soon your new way of life will make so much sense, you won't miss the drinking anymore. Instead of only playing the first part of the movie in your head, ie drinking in the pub, play the second part too, ie the hangover, weight gain, health and legal troubles etc... Good luck to you.

[KatieB]

How to survive a drinking culture??

Hi,
I also recommend reading books on the subject.. I just finished reading "Allan Carr's easyway to control drinking" - which is enough to put anyone off AL!! He doesn't actually talk about control/moderation but talks instead about the myths surrounding AL and why we've all been brainwashed from birth to believe AL is "normal" to use!.. but any book to gain some knowledge on addiction and why we end up addicted is good.. ive found it really helps to understand it a bit more.. that way you can learn ways to cut down or stop completely.. and coming here helps heaps too..
good luck.. we're here for you..
Katie