I have my daughter at home today- it's a paid work-day (ie compulsory donation from parents so kids don?t go to school for the day) so she is doing some chores around the house. I am dealing with some ultra-messy work business of my own ? stressful and requires tact on my part.
Pauly ? I am sorry that you drank this week. Its great that it did not lead to a binge. But as Lav says its time to change the tune. There are always going to be awful days and nights, family upheavals, crises ? as well as celebrations etc and turning to AL is not the way to cope. You have to set in check plans to not get that AL in the house ? and to find ways to let your tension, sadness, joy, confusion, anger etc out. You are right in saying that its not the quitting that is the hard part (although we sometimes forget how in fact that is really hard) but the staying sober for the long haul.
Pauly ?you have an advantage over me ? I had years of hard drinking under my belt by age 32.
For other folk its when they go out into AL-infused situations (Bear this might be you). You know that in the end you will probably drink. You say its because of the low self esteem. But I would suggest (as would Lav I think) that you avoid those situations for some time. You seem to be doing better with the smaller group situations.
Others choose not to go to or near a liquor store (one of Lav?s boundaries), - SF even moved apartments to get away from this :H(OK I know there were better reasons!). or they decide to avoid the grocery store that sells wine or beer, when they are tired, hungry, pissed off (SL ? this ring a bell?).
In time we hopefully get to know our limitations. Mick must have been surrounded by merry holiday-makers on his trip but he could deal with it. Det?s work takes him into the abyss of drunken-excess (OK I exaggerate a little:H) but he is learning that it's the after-match when he is alone or when he is off-guard that's the hardest.
Likewise I have to plan strategies for my upcoming trip. I will be away for 2 months ? some with my family, other times alone. It will be easy for me to seek AL and I will be confronted by offers ? but then again its easy here. My vulnerabilities are being stressed, lonely, bored. I?m off to Hawaii (don?t groan! ? it is partly work) and then Canada, then a brief time in San Francisco. I?ll be working, and catching up with some old friends ? but there will be big stretches alone. I enjoy exploring new places on my own ? especially the cities ? as NZ doesn?t do big cities very well.
What do others avoid/watch out for - to preserve their sobriety? Sam - anything special for you?
Anyway on that ramble and rant I will wish you all a glorious AF Friday. Catch you later!
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