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Alcoholism and Holiday Celebrations
Addiction & Recovery | Last Active: Jan 17, 2023 | Replies (42)Comment receiving replies
Hi - as the holidays approach this season, I'm recalling adults who hand out beers to parents of trick-or-treaters and also the alcohol associated with various events for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's and other holy holidays.
Wondering what you would suggest to others who have dealt with alcoholism (personally or with a loved one) for strategies to deal with alcohol at these events @moncrdeb @klmz @johnwhitfield @luckonetj @mcmurf2 @Gray @brit @georgette12?
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I got sober in October of 1981 and dreaded the approaching holidays! On Halloween I thought everyone else in the world was drinking, and that drove me to my first AA meeting, when I'd already been dry for a couple weeks.
In my experience, "No, thank you" is usually all I need. People other than myself are just not paying very much attention to who's drinking what. If pressed, "I'm driving" or "I'm on medication" are enough, and if asked about what medication, "I'd rather not discuss it."
Giving beer to parents of trick or treaters sounds just bizarre. "I don't drink around the kids" is true enough, since you don't drink without them either.
Anyone who tries to pressure you after you politely declined alcohol has a problem with etiquette, alcohol, or both. Happy holidays!