cunning baffling mysterious

[Rhiannon12866]

2. I try to avoid the triggers

You know, people, places and things, but that wasn't all that hard for me, since I was an isolating drinker. I didn't drink very often when I went out, since I'd have to drive. But one thing that did come as a surprise to me, that I forgot, was cooking. I know women in sobriety who can't spend much time in the kitchen because that's where they drank, and I was one of them. I'd drink while I was cooking and didn't feel like eating when I was done. Fortunately, I can still cook without drinking, tend to focus on what I have to do next and the drinking was almost unconscious, but the first time I made a holiday turkey, while sober, it was hard, pretty gross and it took me forever, LOL.

If I decide to go someplace where I know there'll be drinking, I have to get myself in the right frame of mind beforehand and keep the tools I've learned in mind. You did the right thing, bringing an advocate who understands and leaving if it gets tough. I've gone to a couple of reunions of the childhood friends I used to spend summers with and the alcohol took me by surprise the first time.

But I was fortunate to have my tools uppermost in my mind and the two friends I was closest to are aware and sympathetic which is a huge help. I just remember that if I was still drinking that I wouldn't have been able to make the long drive and I hung out with my good friend who doesn't drink. I rode with her and helped her carry leftovers back to her house and she was all worried about asking me to hold a leftover bottle of wine (among other things) while she drove the back roads of Vermont, LOL.

I'm planning on going again this summer and I know that I'll be fine. I know I won't be tempted, since I remember where drinking brought me and having the support of good friends who understand and don't judge makes me feel safe.

Good for you for running this by your sponsor who knows you and will certainly have suggestions and the support that you need...