How to be AF on girls boozy wknd away

[sunsetandcocktails]

Hi all, I’m hoping you had some advice. I’ve been AF for a couple of months now and feel so much better for it.
I’ve kept it quite low key and haven’t made a big announcement.
Every year, me and four friends go to Portugal for a long weekend. It’s always very centred around alcohol, and basically involves drinking all day next to the pool, long boozy lunches, big nights out.
Up until now I’ve often been the one who’s been well up for all this and would be ordering the next bottle of rose.
My question to you is:
How do I do our next weekend away in May AF? I think my friends will find it difficult in a way and will be baffled about my change. They are likely to feel I’m putting a dampener in their time.
They will definitely try and make me have ‘just the one’ and I CANNOT do moderation so must be strong and refuse.
Do I tell my friends in advance of going so that they’re not surprised once we’re there?
what can I drink instead? Can’t face hours of sitting in bars swigging coke.
I’m worried I’m going to be boring and they do not like sober me.
Anyone navigated similar situations? How did it go for you? Any advice?

So I met one of the friends yesterday and we were chatting about health and the like, and I shared that I have stopped drinking. She was surprised but also said that she had been trying to cut down too as recognised her drinking had crept up over the years. She’s trying moderation and was supportive of me going sober. I can tell she thinks it wont last! But I feel better for sharing it. We didn’t chat about the girls wknd specifically, but I’ve plenty of time to let the others know too.

Having an exit plan for the evening is a great suggestion.

thanks all x

Why would you post this on an ‘alcohol support’ thread?

I’d prioritise my sobriety. Have you been reading any quit lit? Joy of Being Sober is good. This weekend will come around every year so you may as well deal with it while you are newly into and enthusiastic about not drinking and how it makes you feel.

is there an activity you could do one day that breaks up the day drinking - day trip somewhere?

best to mention it on the group chat before to avoid pressure on the weekend. Be calm and consistent. During periods I’ve had of drinking moderately or abstaining I’ve actually noticed that nobody else drank as much as I used to. I just assumed they did as I was the drunkest and encouraging everyone else.

hope you find a way forward to enjoy the weekend. I’ve found the good friends whose company I cherish are still good company with or without drink. With others, I realised I was drinking to get through the evening which was ridiculous. I no longer spend time with those people.

also you may be making assumptions about the others. They may also be reconsidering their relationship with alcohol and may be relieved is someone says they won’t be drinking.