**Coming up on a Crucial Weekend**

[dorilynn]

I mentioned this in a response posted earlier, but thought I should post it here too. I'm heading into a weekend when I will need great strength and support! I have a 50th birthday dinner party with 8 couples, most of whom I have been drinking with for many years. Thankfully, there is one woman recovering, and two abstaining, and I've made it known to the hostess that I'm going alcohol free for a while and funny enough, she herself is too! But trusting myself not to drink in a celebratory, drinking environment is going to be hard! I've made it through the last two weekends AF - even through the Superbowl - but this will be a great challenge! I'm thinking of maybe taking an AF beverage or some "pretty" colored soda - what do you all think? Any tips for how to navigate these waters??

[Accountable for Me]

**Coming up on a Crucial Weekend**

dorilynn, you will be fine at this dinner party. With these other people abstaining, think about the lovely sober conversations you will have with them. It will be empowering!! You are doing a fantastic job - keep it up!

[Rags]

**Coming up on a Crucial Weekend**

Hello Dorilynn,
Nah, it won't be hard, not with the others there to support you. Gee there's five of you who won't be drinking. Isn't that great support for each other. And as the hostess has been prewarned so to speak, you'll both be watching out for each other, and be able to poliely refuse wine if it is offered. I 'm sure the hostess will be providing juice, soft drink or whatever for the non drinkers, just as wine or champagne will be provided for those who drink. It's because we are so sensitive about not drinking we think that "others know our secret". And that simply is not so. It will be even less obvious with so many of you deciding not to drink. I reckon you'll be just fine, as you're prepared for it. Hope you have a wonderful dinner.
Rags

[goingsobermum]

**Coming up on a Crucial Weekend**

Hi Dorilynn,
I'm sure you'll be fine, I expect the drinkers will be the ones to find it strange with all the people not drinking. Watch out for them trying to persaude you, they may well be worrying how silly they'll look when drunk to you sober ones. Some nice fizzy water could be the trick.
Good luck
Suz

[Changeling]

**Coming up on a Crucial Weekend**

Socialising Sober

Dorilynn, You sound like you are doing great.
No need to halt this fantastic progress towards a much better life for the sake of a social event (a mere few hours)

Drinking & being socialble?? interesting area
How sociable are we really when we are drunk?
> We don't listen
> we cant form any real connection with other people.
> We are unable to articulate our thoughts & opinions clearly
> We have little awareness of the reactions/feelings of others

You can have a great evening without Alcohol, you will for sure have improved social skills.
People will enjoy your company because you will be coherent & interesting
Have a wonderful evening
Love Changeling

[southernbelle47]

**Coming up on a Crucial Weekend**

Dorilynn..
It sounds like you will have several others there not drinking also.
Make it your "Plan" to watch and observe the ones that do drink and the ones that don't.. I love to people watch....
Then come back here and share with us what you observe.
I think taking something you can drink and love is a good idea.
I just found some True Blueberry tea from Celestial Seasons that I love.
:h Nancy

[betty boop]

**Coming up on a Crucial Weekend**

Hi,

I agree with Kate, I actually enjoy sober nights out with friends now, It's lovely to wake up without that feeling of 'OMG what did I do?' & actually remembering what everyone else did....

Have fun