Alcoholism and Holiday Celebrations

Posted by Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250, May 31, 2017

Hello @georgette12 @brit @Gray @gman007 @melsy @amberpep @gailb

As Memorial Day is now behind us, I was thinking about those of you who have discussed alcoholism. Some of you have discussed it as an issue you have dealt with personally and some of you have discussed the effects of alcoholism in your family. Whatever the source of the alcoholic behavior, I think we can all agree that holidays seem to be tough times for anyone dealing with addictions. Perhaps in the past, alcohol was a part of picnics and other holiday celebrations. It could be that the threat of alcoholic behavior created a feeling of dread of the holidays. Whatever your response might be, let’s discuss how we can approach the holidays “alcohol-free.” Many of you have probably developed certain plans to keep the holidays sober and peaceful. So if you are comfortable doing so, let’s share those ideas with each other. Teresa

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Addiction & Recovery Support Group.

joeyjensen1959 | @joeyjensen1959 | 5 days ago

In reply to @hopeful33250 "@granddame and @joeyjensen1959 On Connect, there are a few discussion groups that talk about the healing..." + (show)

@hopeful33250 thank you.

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | 5 days ago

In reply to @joeyjensen1959 "I take it one day at a time...sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the desire to use...then..." + (show)

@joeyjensen1959 Yep, we do whatever we need to do, to stay sober. I distance myself from situations where there is a temptation. Some days that feels like all interactions with people, then I hibernate! Walking and getting outside in the fresh air certainly does help my mindset, works off excess energy, and helps me focus outside of what civil war might be playing in my mind.

A few times it has come down to arguing with myself. Write down a list of what might be lost if I give in? Write down how that might make me feel? Write down how the struggle would affect me, and what would I do to "fix" things? We both know it wouldn't/couldn't be beneficial to give in to that desire. And the reward is to feel proud of myself for not rolling over and giving in.
Ginger

joeyjensen1959 | @joeyjensen1959 | 5 days ago

Thank you so much for your strength and support...

joeyjensen1959 | @joeyjensen1959 | 5 days ago

I've been having a hard day....I read your replies and then read it again...
It helped thank you
Joseph

heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | 3 days ago

In reply to @gingerw "@joeyjensen1959 Yep, we do whatever we need to do, to stay sober. I distance myself from..." + (show)

Good for you Ginger. We do whatever is required to stay sober.

I've been sober 14 plus years now (May 2011). I'm not tempted in situations where I otherwise would have been drinking.

Sobriety changes over time. Whatever we do to keep ourselves sober, well that's our decision. Other people certainly help.

Happy Sober New Year Ginger!

Joe

heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | 3 days ago

In reply to @joeyjensen1959 "I've been having a hard day....I read your replies and then read it again... It helped..." + (show)

Good for you Joseph, and thanks for your post. We do whatever it takes to keep our sobriety, and your comment is a great reminder for all of us.

Joe

joeyjensen1959 | @joeyjensen1959 | 3 days ago

In reply to @heyjoe415 "Good for you Joseph, and thanks for your post. We do whatever it takes to keep..." + (show)

@heyjoe415 this is one way to feel a part of something...like a family .
Happy new year.
Joseph

heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | 3 days ago

In reply to @joeyjensen1959 "@heyjoe415 this is one way to feel a part of something...like a family . Happy new..." + (show)

Thanks Joseph and Happy New Year!

Yes being part of a community/family helps immensely with sobriety - getting it and maintaining it.

I still recall how unique I thought I was with my problems and my drinking, until I went to my first AA meeting in August of 2003. None of the people looked like me - but their words were so, so similar. It was comforting then, and it remains comforting now.

I did relapse after 4.5 years, thinking myself cured. First thought wrong. It was very hard getting back to AA, but my current 14 years plus started in 2011. I don't take it for granted anymore.

I hope you have a great, great 2026 Joseph! Reach out anytime!

Joe

klch | @klch | 2 days ago

Thank you for your kind and inspirational words. After many years of struggle with relapse, waking up sober each morning feels like a true miracle.

heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | 1 day ago

In reply to @klch "Thank you for your kind and inspirational words. After many years of struggle with relapse, waking..." + (show)

@klch

Good for you friend. I'm so happy you find each day a true miracle. That's an excellent way to describe sobriety.

After being sober 4.5 years, I got a divorce (my fault), moved from San Fran area to Chicago for a job, and relapsed while I was in Chicago.

I was going to meetings in Chicago, but held out hope of going back to CA, so I never bothered with a new sponsor. I never bothered to stay in touch with my original sponsor in CA. But these are excuses, and not even very good ones. I decided to stop drinking. I decided to start again.

I relapsed first in 2008 and it took 3 years, many attempts to get sober, and many failures. I did move back to CA, got sober in 2011, remarried my wife (she was/is a saint), and reconnected with my sponsor and the many friends I had in AA. But it was much harder getting back into AA than it was the first time.

Thanks for your thoughtful message!

Joe

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