Talk me out of having a drink this evening…

[bluecarnationthefirst]

Because I am pretty sure I just can’t have one… I’ve achieved 11 months sober, which if you had asked me this time last year I would never have thought possible!

It’s just that it’s Christmas, everyone is on the Prosecco, or wine or whatever, and I feel SO left out. Which is ridiculous, I know. And I know if I have ‘one’ drink, it will end in disaster, and I do not want to be hungover tomorrow.

Alcohol is the only way I’ve managed to get through Christmas in the past with my (frankly appalling) family, and I miss it very badly this evening, and will do tomorrow as well. I feel very anxious and strung out, and have done for the last few weeks.

Self-indulgent woe is me!

You should be incredibly proud of yourself @bluecarnationthefirst, 11 months is awesome. You’ve got this🫶🏻

I hate Christmas, don’t know why but forced family time and forced jollity is the main reason I guess. It’s only one day really though, your sobriety has been all year and you need to celebrate yourself for that, it’s immense!

I will be working tomorrow, I’m an rmn working in an A&E department and I can guarantee, alcohol will be a significant factor for at least half of the people referred to us tomorrow! It’s nobody’s friend really, just causes so much pain and harm.

Wishing you a peaceful and sober day @bluecarnationthefirst, another day closer to that very important one year anniversary🙏

Not the OP but this is very helpful to me to be reminded that alcohol is not a treat. I have been thinking I should pour a glass just because it's Christmas Eve, rather than because I actually want one. Have now poured an entire box of Turkish Delight into a bowl instead.

Thanks for starting this thread @bluecarnationthefirst and I wish you all the best in making it to one year. You must feel great after 11 months.

Thank you all for your wisdom and words of support and encouragement (and the mulled apple juice recipe, it looks delish, and I will definitely give that a go for New Year), I really really appreciate the kindness of strangers on the internet cheering me on.

Thanks to you all, I’ve not caved, about to have a bath, assemble one last present, have a mince pie and then once dd is asleep I shall do the stocking and head to bed with a clear head and a clear conscience.

A tiny part of me wishes I could be ‘normal’ and have just one glass, but as you have all pointed out to me, it’s just not worth it!

OP you need to start putting yourself first. That means not having a drink and not having people round on Christmas day that completely stress you out and put your sobriety at risk.

I think you really need to be taking a big step back from these toxic sounding people as I'm pretty sure your life would be easier and happier if you did.

I think you need some better boundaries OP. Start putting yourself and your sobriety first.

Play it forward. You’re gonna be thrilled to bits tomorrow xx

Well done OP, think of all of us in your phone staying sober tonight too and know you’re not alone.

Family melodrama is more reason not less to stay sober. If you drink you’d still have all that shite to deal with plus the upset at knowing you drank.

Well done, OP, no small feat to get through these tricky times x

I'm the exact same, there is no way I could have just one. I don't drink anymore, it's been 2 years and 8 months. What stops me is feeling so darn good every morning and never getting panic attacks.

Good for you !

Well, pleased to be clear headed this morning! It’s going to be a long day, appletiser and schloer is chilling in the fridge, and I am on my second coffee.

I am determined to stay strong, and wish the same to anyone else struggling. Happy Christmas!

Well.done. That is a huge achievement. Keep.it yo.

Reading this thread with a full heart as you are being so strong and amazing. Well done on getting through last night. Keep coming back to us today and we will keep cheering you on. Look at it this way - would you want your difficult family to be the very thing that breaks your achievement? No way! They are not worth it! You own your own achievement and you are acing this! Getting through Christmas with no drinks makes you all the stronger. Well done and keep going!

Well done OP, amazing that you could recognize all the triggers, and still choose sobriety. Hats off to you.

we are all here to offer support during the day if you need it.

Go you op. Whoop whoop.

Nothing tastes or feels better than managing an addiction, rather than it managing you.

You are acting on the values you hold for your life.

Well done you and Happy Christmas.

You have done so well. Plough on through today and you will be so pleased and proud of yourself.

It’s 5 months for me and obviously first Christmas and first holiday abroad. It’s hard but I won’t cave either.

@bluecarnationthefirst you are a goddess!! You’ve got this. Imagine your clear head tomorrow morning too!

Well done on not drinking last night 🎉
This is my first sober Xmas and it’s been a struggle at times!

But I keep reminding myself of how I’ll feel tomorrow morning if I drink today.

How did yesterday go, OP?

Thank for thinking of me, it was… ok. Stressful and I spent most of the day in the kitchen either cooking or washing up, but dd had a lovely day so that’s what matters really isn’t it?

And I did not cave!!!!! I think this has been the hardest obstacle to overcome (which is ridiculous, it’s only a few days!), but as someone pointed out earlier, I’ve now got my first sober Christmas under my belt and not long to go for my WHOLE YEAR! 🎉

Hope everyone had a wonderful day yesterday!

Currently remembering Boxing Days in the past and waking up feeling like absolute shit, with the anxiety and dread, house a complete tip etc. I’ve come down for a coffee, house is tidy (as tidy as it can be with all the presents dd got!), I am having a coffee and I feel quite peaceful. I like this feeling.

Well done OP! Your daughter will be proud of you.

Well done OP! You are a superstar!!!

Well done - you should be feeling really proud of yourself, that was a real hurdle and you handled it brilliantly!!

Well done. Now you know that you can experience difficult situations and come out the other side feeling good, and without succumbing to alcohol.👏🏻

So happy to read this update. You should be feeling very proud.

Thank you all again. Yesterday was also quite trying, and today I am feeling really glum and down in the dumps. I guess this is the post Christmas blues that I’ve always otherwise numbed with alcohol.