We're asking "How will the casino affect those in the community who work at living clean and sober?" Send us your answers info@sobercolumbus.com, or post them on the message board.
We found an article by: Nick Johnstone The Guardian, Tuesday 9 December 2003 http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2003/dec/09/shopping.health
In this article Nick state he developed a bag of tricks to get around the holiday season. So we asked others if they had tricks and or tips? And below is some of what they had to say.
These answers came from: Columbus Moms Like Me Check back often to see new answers from other groups
My DH is in recovery, has been for 6 years . . . He got sober right before Thanksgiving. His method is to order soda or juice - there is no reason to explain why you aren't drinking. I don't drink. I simply don't care for it. No one asks me why I don't drink, and they don't ask HIM why either. I don't think anyone really cares. IMO, if you are committed to recovery, it doesn't matter. If you think you are in danger of relapse you should probably go to meetings instead of drinking type places. There are plenty of booze free places to spend New Year's. Visit your AA places and ask around.
DH's close friend is in recovery. I've never seen anyone make any kind of issue. He was best man at our wedding and he asked for sparkling cider for the toast, but we weren't planning on a champaigne toast. He was perfectly happy to raise his glass of pepsi or whatever it was he was drinking
I drink for fun, moderately and responsibly, if someone is drinking a non alcoholic beverage at a party I'm drinking at I don't ask for their explanation, its their choice after all, anyone who does ask (I would think) cant be that good of a friend if they didn't know of your recovery status, so maybe its as simple as saying "I don't feel like it" (if it was me I'd be more blunt and say "none of your business" LoL) because really they shouldn't care what you're drinking, just that you're having a good time :-)
Why does it matter what anyone else thinks you are drinking? Once you can get over worry about what others think, you will really be on the road to recovery. Rejoice and relax that you have begun to live life without a numbing drink that takes away part of your spirit. You should be able to enjoy the taste of the food you eat, and learn to enjoy non alcholic drinks.I have stopped drinking because we are hoping to get pregnant so I do understand. I don't want to tell people why I am not drinking. At first I would tell everyone that I am drinking because I don't feel like it but then that didn't work well because they would want to know if everything is okay and it was too much. So now I would have a glass of cranberry and orange juice. Once they see me with a glass, I guess they figure that I have a drink and they leave me alone. I have even try the one that i am not drinking because I am driving and then they would insist on just take one, by the time you are ready to go, you will be okay. You are not in a rush to leave. But pretending that you are drinking is the best cause they leave you alone and you don't have to explain anything to anyone. If you feel like you need to tell someone what you are drinking (or not drinking) just say that you don’t feel like drinking alcohol that night. If anyone has a problem with it, such as they are encouraging you to drink something stronger, either they are not a friend (and it doesn’t matter what they think) or they are a toxic friend and you need to get rid of them. No one, recovery or not, should have to ever explain what they are not drinking alcohol. I drink alcohol on occasion, but more often than not I drink a soda or water with lime (Yummy!) when I am out with friends. I would try to surround yourself with close friends who do know that you are in recovery so they can encourage you and offer support in situations where the temptation is there. And good luck to you! Stay strong and remember that you are working twords something for yourself.
I think that you should not have to explain. There are some who feel the need to know why. Just tell them you have decided to be alcohol free for the season.
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