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Alcoholism and Holiday Celebrations
Addiction & Recovery | Last Active: Jan 17, 2023 | Replies (42)Comment receiving replies
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!
Replies to "I got sober in October of 1981 and dreaded the approaching holidays! On Halloween I thought..."
Thinking of some of you who talked about the challenges (or not) of the presence of alcohol at holiday celebrations and wondering how things went. I know in my family alcohol is almost always present at holidays (wine, craft beer, and some family members drink bourbon), and it would be a different scenario were I trying to not drink any.
@trainwreck54 - just wanted to check in and see how things went over the holidays this year with alcohol being present at celebrations? Is it still working okay for you to just say "no thank you"?
@nanners012910 - how did it go for you over the holidays? Did you find the not drinking difficult this year?
@olivia22819 - how were your holidays this year?
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Hi, @trainwreck54 - Yes, I've noted a growing trend with neighbors giving out beer to parents of trick or treaters on Halloween as we've been out with our kids in the past few years. I think it's an attempt to make it inclusive and fun for the parents. Seems to make it a popular stop, I've noted.
You've offered some great tips and advice for situations where others are drinking.
Over the years since you got sober, have you found holidays more challenging related to alcohol, or other situations?