I nearly had a glass of wine a few mins ago - but I didn't!!

[SAUSAGE]

Hi everyone

I'm v scared.

As many of you know I recently celebrated my 6 month sobriety anniversary - and then here I am tonight, suddenley contemplating having a glass of sparkling wine.
I really wanted it as well - and I nearly did. The only thing that stopped me was the thought of confessing to you guys on hear, changing my foot note etc - and so I didn't. I am now sipping an AF beer.

I think I know what triggered it - I spent the afternoon at a friend's - a really healthy normal drinker, the sort of person who drinks once or twice a week, tops, but never to excess, uses it wisely sort of thing. I saw bottles of wine, in her kitchen, they'd probably been there ages, she's a really successful professional person , happily married with a young son, - i ended up thinking, why can't I be like that, it's fine to use it in moderation my friend drinks normally and she has a very successful life etc - and that was what led to me thinking I could / should do it also, I think.

Just thought i'd share this with you - anyone else stuggled like this / suffered similar temptations.

[Preciouspinot]

I nearly had a glass of wine a few mins ago - but I didn't!!

Well, the thought that I can eventually "grow" into a "regular" drinker is a fantasy of mine that I think about from time to time and I only have little over a month AF. Now that you have reached the 6 month milestone I can imagine that the thought is popping into your mind. At least you were honest with yourself and your feelings and you reached out to us, this site and the boards. Remember that the thoughts always eventually do pass.

Glad the outcome was a positive. and remember, there is probably a good reason your reaction was to be scared of these thoughts.

[Preciouspinot]

I nearly had a glass of wine a few mins ago - but I didn't!!

Being AF can sometimes be like an exercise program. We don't always want to do it but, once we do we feel better and are happy with the results. Go flex those AF muscles!

[AAthlete]

I nearly had a glass of wine a few mins ago - but I didn't!!

Sausage, first of all good for you in resisting the drink. One of the traps that it is easy for us to fall into is that somewhere down the line we will be able to drink like others. We may tell ourselves that we cannot drink, but we don't always believe it deep down inside - because alcohol wants us to see the glamorous side of things. Question for you - when you were thinking of your successful friend and her wonderful life, did you think about the wreckage that alcohol has caused you in the past? That's it's power - it wants us to forget the pain it has caused us so that we'll want to pick up a glass again....

So, maybe spend a little time in reflection? Remember what your life was like when you were drinking and what it is like now - I bet there is a world of difference.

[Boss.man]

I nearly had a glass of wine a few mins ago - but I didn't!!

I'm not the same anymore, and I certainly can't be like other people, or like my past self. I've accepted that and will make do. I'd do the same if I was missing a hand or a leg or whatever. Lots of people work around a lot worse problems than me having to skip the wine.

[Pamina]

I nearly had a glass of wine a few mins ago - but I didn't!!

Hi Sausage

Well done on grabbing that AF beer instead of the wine!

I'm receiving a great education reading the AA thread even though I've never been to AA meetings. As I recall they said something like 'identify, don't compare' which seems to apply quite nicely here. What if you had lactose intolerance. Then you went over to your friend's and watched her eat all those yummy dairy products, but since her life is so successful, you should be able to eat them too. How does that follow?

We each have our own life and our own situation, and all we can compare it to is whether we feel better about ourselves now than we did before we made the life change that we need to be making.

You recognised a trigger and didn't fall for it - good for you!!

[LVT25]

I nearly had a glass of wine a few mins ago - but I didn't!!

Sausage, once in awhile I catch myself thinking about having a drink. I guess deep down I still think I can-you know--I wasn't THAT bad kind of thinking. What I do is remember that it really is over rated--hangover free is so much better. AND I have a goal of going 1 year without alcohol--and that's that!:h

[Accountable for Me]

I nearly had a glass of wine a few mins ago - but I didn't!!

Way to go, Sausage! I love what the others have to say here and I can only reiterate what they've said.

Please don't compare yourself to others. We all have regrets; and this is something I am working on, the letting go part at the moment. You have the rest of your life to be whatever you want to be. Just think a true moderate drinker is one who is practically AF. So you are not missing out on anything!

Onwards and upwards, my friend! xoxo

[Cinders]

I nearly had a glass of wine a few mins ago - but I didn't!!

Oh, Sausage. See my post about the giant sucking hole.

That is where I live.

I cannot drink because one does lead down the path to total destruction.

Period.

I wish I could say otherwise. I wish I could say, "Hey, I can drink a glass of wine now and then." But I can't. I really can't.

You did well. I am incredibly proud of you.

Love,
Cindi

[time2change]

I nearly had a glass of wine a few mins ago - but I didn't!!

Sausage
You have come so far and have so much to be proud of. Do not give that up for a drink. It is so not worth it.
I agree.....ONWARD AND UPWARD!!!

[rustop61]

I nearly had a glass of wine a few mins ago - but I didn't!!

Well done Sausage, you should be very proud of yourself.

Rustop

[tlrgs]

I nearly had a glass of wine a few mins ago - but I didn't!!

well done ..there is always going to be that feeling of what if .. and you did the right thing just by coming here and posting and sharing ...

[caysea]

I nearly had a glass of wine a few mins ago - but I didn't!!

Hi All
This is the place to come to when it gets difficult.Read post let the idea or craving pass.Well done in fighting the urge.
I am an alcoholic. This fact will never change. Others can have a drink .It is different for me very different.When this reality was accepted by me it became much easier. I will always view myself this way and if I ever have a drink again will know full well were I will be headed. Others can indulge and mod not an option for me. I am different I am an alcoholic.No big deal if I don't drink.

Stay Healthy and Keep Fighting
AF 5-16-08

[speedster]

I nearly had a glass of wine a few mins ago - but I didn't!!

Sausage - well done. In reading Emotional Alchemy it talks about being mindful, basically quieting the mind with a little focus on breathing, when one stirs up reactive emotions. If you step back, breath, your logical brain will take over and the reactive emotions will dissipate.

Your friend is not a successful person because she moderates, and you are not unsuccessful because you abstain.

[Winefree]

I nearly had a glass of wine a few mins ago - but I didn't!!

Great job Sausage. You rock! Sometimes those cravings can be tough, but they do pass. I had cravings last Friday night and those at an AA mtg got me through. Came here and posted after the worst of it to keep the anxiety down.

You;ve done so well, You are an inspiration.

Winefree