I'm REALLY going to be tested this weekend

[Ortho]

Some friends of mine are coming to visit over the July 4th weekend. I haven't drank for 11 days now, but this could be tough. I told them that I had quit, and why. A few seemed to understand, but others are saying things like "just take a break while we're down there. It's a special occasion."

That sounds cruel, but I honestly do not believe they mean for it to be. They just don't understand, and in their minds they just don't see anything wrong with drinking. For them, there probably isn't anything wrong.

I've really enjoyed these 11 days. After the first week, I started to feel better and better at the beginning of each day. My appetite has skyrocketed and I may need to start running more, but other than that I haven't really struggled all that much. This weekend isn't an issue of cravings. It's an issue of peer pressure, which I knew from the start I'd have a tougher time with than the physical cravings. There have been times where I thought "man, a beer would taste great right about now," but I've stuck to this and feel that I am better off for it.

Again, the biggest problem is explaining it to friends that I are genuinely great people and that I care for a lot, but just don't understand. They've never struggled with this like I have, and to them it's not an issue of stopping. It's an issue of doing it responsibly. To me, the best way (and perhaps the only way) to do it responsibly and not drink so much is to not drink at all.

We'll see how it goes. I hope everyone has a safe, sober and enjoyable weekend.

peace,
Ortho

[Jay Bee]

They've never struggled with this like I have, and to them it's not an issue of stopping. It's an issue of doing it responsibly. To me, the best way (and perhaps the only way) to do it responsibly and not drink so much is to not drink at all. SUGGESTION: Invite someone you network with from the followship. Personally i would feel more safe to have someone who is just like and that understands me with me. I have 3years clean and I still dont trust the disease of addiction , the disease is chronic , progressive and fatal. Sometimes mi old playmates , want to see the old JAY, but I have to tell them this is my new life and im enjoying every moment of it. Hold on and be strong GOD got you. Come back and tell us how you made out:15:.LOL to you and yours.

[Mycool]

Its well meaning ignorance in some case. They probably wouldn't push sweets on you if you were a diabetic or cigaettes if you had lung cancer. Some of my inlaws are pretty heavy drinkers who are somewhat uncomfortable around me at family get togethers because it might open up their own possible issues. They tend to say "I don't really need this as they drink their 6 or 8 beers. Me, I just don't care. Its my sobriety and its #1 in my life. I don't think what I'm missing out on around them, rather I focus on what I'm gaining. I'm proud to be a recovering alcoholic. I hope the best for you, stay strong and proud.

“Anguish emerges from craving for life to be other than it is. It is the symptom of flight from birth and death, from the pulse of the present. It is the gnawing mood of unease that haunts the clinging to ‘me’ and ‘mine.’ … Craving can vanish in awakening to the absurdity of the assumptions that underlie it. Without stamping it out or denying it, craving may be renounced the way a child renounces sand castles: not be repressing the desire to make them but by turning aside from an endeavor that no longer holds any interest.”

Namaste

[CD BUCKBERRY]

Ortho.Just take it as any day that you have been sober so far.Just say no,leave and get in a better place if you have to.Your sobriety is at stake.

[Jay Bee]

I went to a cookout and :153:, the DISEASE was present...Had to go , had to go....I've should have taking my own SUGGESTION:15:. :153:

[Joplinfrk]

Just came home from a BBQ where aside from me, everyone was drunk. My drug of choice was not alcohol, but if I could not get what I wanted I would indulge. Nonetheless, it was pretty "gross"; the slurring of words, obnoxiousness, etc. Guess I just need to remember to step over the bodies..

[Rockin Big Daddy]

:29:Take time to celebrate.

Celebrate your successes, your growth, and your accomplishments.
Celebrate you and who you are.

For too long you have been too hard on yourself. Others have spilled
their negative energy - their attitudes, beliefs, and pain - on you.
It had nothing to do with you! All along, you have been a gift to
yourself and to the Universe.

You are a child of God. Beautiful, a delight, a joy. You do not have
to try harder, be better, be perfect, or be anything you are not. Your
beauty is in you, just as you are each moment.

Celebrate that.

When you have a success, when you accomplish something, enjoy it.
Pause, reflect, and rejoice. Too long you have listened to admonitions
not to feel good about what you have done, lest you travel the
downward road to arrogance.

Celebration is a high form of praise, of gratitude to the Creator for
the beauty of God's creation. To enjoy and celebrate the good does not
mean that it will be taken from you. To celebrate is to delight in the
gift, to show gratitude.

Celebrate your relationships! Celebrate the lessons from the past and
the love and warmth that are there today. Enjoy the beauty of others
and their connection to you.

Celebrate all that is in your life. Celebrate all that is good. Celebrate that YOU did not drink or use on the 4th of July!

Today, I will indulge in the joy of celebrating that I woke up versus "coming to".

[KeepComingBack]

I know this post is after the holidays but before
4th of july
thanksgiving
christmas
new year
halloween

someone in the rooms advised me to go to a meeting before the occasion and after the occassion.
bring some AA literature.
say a prayer before the event and after the event.
have an exit strategy.
call someone in AA while you are there.
bring someone in AA.
drive your own car so that you wont rely on someone to go.
have a cell phone that is fully charged and has aa numbers that actually haev people that pick up.
tell people in AA to call you during that time.
get involved in service.

the big book says if you are good spiritual ground and have a real reason to be there you should be ok.
KCB

[BIG AL]

You make it a habit of going to those bbq things and we will be stepping over your body.