I'm definitely BU - please tell me not to order a drink

[Hiphopopotamus]

So I'm an alcoholic. I was doing well but have had a pretty massive relapse in the last few months. I'm back on the wagon now and I'm nearly 2 weeks sober.

I'm currently sitting in a restaurant waiting for my partner to finish work. Restaurants alone are a big trigger place for me as they are places I used to drink a lot - I never felt comfortable in pubs alone but it felt acceptable if I had a plate of food in front of me. I'm sitting here with a Diet Coke when all I want to do is order a bottle of wine and get stuck in. Please tell me how unreasonable I'm being.

[NotNob]

OP,

I'm a recovering alcoholic and my advice would be to stay away from places such as this is early recovery. Two weeks is an amazing achievement but break it right down. Tell yourself you will not have a drink in the next hour, or 5 next minutes if you have to. Then call someone who takes your sobriety seriously.

Those minutes add up into days, weeks and years. I remember exactly how you feel. Just don't have that first drink. You can do it. I did it so that's how I know.

[Hiphopopotamus]

I've left the restaurant. I had a cup of coffee, did some mindless internet browsing and I'm now heading to meet my partner elsewhere. Thank you so much everyone for posting. I would be feeling so awful if I'd relapsed.

[toadgirl]

GREAT NEWS!

Well done!

Remember this moment of triumph for next time. Your confidence will build and build. That's how it's done, really. One day, one moment at a time.

[BeMorePanda]

Well done!!

As an aside HipHop I used to have the same username as you (one vowel different) and I loved it. It is the BEST username ever IMO. When I split from XP he found out my awesome username and stalked me for a while on MN so I NC and gave it up a few years ago now.

I like seeing you post though - you don't know me but I feel a NN link :)

[MrsWooster]

Be proud of yourself x

[Itsaplayonwords]

This is a huge achievement. You should look at this as something to be proud of because you didn't give into temptation. Think how differently this thread could have gone. Give yourself a huge pat on the back...and a huge piece of cake!

[amusedbush]

Fantastic, well done! You should be really proud.

[iMatter]

Well done! Great determination

[ginnybag]

Bravo, OP!

I really mean that. I have alcoholics in the family, and they've never, not once, had the strength to do what you just did.

That took steel, and serious will power.

Go meet your partner and somewhere you can have a lovely treat as a reward, and feel genuinely proud of yourself for saying no.

[TheSockGoblin]

That's really great, well done!

perhaps though in the future it might be wise to try to plan to avoid such triggering places if you feel so vulnerable at this stage in your recovery?

[Wolfiefan]

Well done. I've only just seen this thread. That's an amazing achievement. It's not about the times when you don't want a drink. It's about the times when you really REALLY do. You faced that and didn't cave in.

[Ginkypig]

Well done.

You've just done the hardest thing in the world, youv put your self first before your addiction.

[blueturtle6]

Did you ever see that satc where she forgot her book alone in a restaurant? She sat back in her shades and people watched. Do that and don't order wine. Good luck xx

[blueturtle6]

Sorry missed a page, well done for overcoming temptation

[YoJesse]

Well done
Stay strong

[angielou123]

I would get out of there if I was you.

[BrendaFurlong]

Your brain is playing tricks on you.
You are craving the alcohol but you don't really WANT it because you know what effect it will have on you.

Breathe slowly and deeply for one minute (see if you can get down to under 6 breaths in that minute.)

Distract yourself.

Find something else to get that dopamine hit.

It is very hard. You can do it.

(I am in awe of you. My problem is food. I have had a 'bad' day. 2 weeks sober is 2 weeks where you've done what you really want.)

[angielou123]

Oh, you did....well done!

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

Great news - good choice

[BrendaFurlong]

Oops hadn't refreshed the screen. Well done OP.

[chinam]

Well done, op. One day at a time. Take care.

[Iambubbles86]

Hiphop well done. I Dont even know u but I am very proud of you if that's the right phrase!!

[ThoraGruntwhistle]

Excellent work OP. You did absolutely the right thing. If the place you're in is making it more difficult, go somewhere new.

[limitedperiodonly]

Well done