It is Christmas Eve. I am super tired and I had two cups of coffee back-to-back this morning. Still so sleepy. I just want to take a nap. I have to work today but hopefully I will get out of here early. I’m literally falling asleep at my desk.
I am driving down to my parents house tonight. I am staying over and then staying down all day tomorrow. After, Christmas evening, I am going to go visit the family that took me in when I was homeless for three months right after rehab.
My aunt is having her Christmas Eve party tonight and last year, the year before, and the year before, I had been drunk. Sloshed. And I know there is going to be alcohol tonight. I am going to a meeting on my way down to my parents.
Luckily, last night at my AA meeting, we read about going to occasions and it had information that was helpful.
Tips for avoiding drinking at social events:1. Carry your own drink with you at all times, don’t leave it unattended. If you carry your own soda or coffee around, you can drink it at your pace and no one will know what you’re drinking.
2. If someone asks you if you want another drink; say that you will get it. OR, tell them what you are drinking if they insist. Make sure you see them when they make your beverage.
3. Eat before you go to your event, something that will keep you full and not hungry. Snack throughout the night.
4. Call/text someone from AA, most likely your sponsor and close AA friends, before your event, during your event and after your event. Be in touch, keep your head clear and accountable. And know that you will have the support.
5. If you are being pressured to drink; do one of three things a) tell them you don’t drink, b) tell them you are allergic, or c) tell them they can’t afford financially to provide you with enough alcohol to last, and find a witty answer.
6. Hit up an AA meeting before you go and/or after. Locate ahead of time where there are meetings in the area you are visiting and at what times. I call this the escape route. If needed; leave and go to a meeting.
7. If you are going to be in a situation that you are not spiritually grounded and you could easily drink; OR are early on in sobriety: DON’T GO. Put your sobriety first. Make alternate plans, and assure your safety. There are also alcohothons ALL holiday long, on the hour, every hour.
Overall though, all I think about right now, in this moment is how I kept sneaking around the kitchen so I could get drunker faster without anyone knowing. So; yeah. Obviously, that isn’t happening this year.
Regarding my parents; I should be okay. They know I am an alcoholic and everything will be fine. Perhaps I will just sit and visit my aunts house tonight for an hour, and then if that means leaving and going back to my parents’ house early then, OK.
Happy Christmas Eve everyone. I hope you all have a blessed, safe, sober, healthy holiday. Merry Hannukawanzmas. 🙂
May I find peace in this uncertain world. 