|
|
by: Jane Derry
You've gotten sober, and the inevitable will eventually happen. You will be at a
function, or restaurant, and you will be asked, "What can I get you to drink?"
Anyone who is a social drinker will likely wonder why they are reading this
article at this point, but alcoholics in recovery understand. This can be a
life-threatening question!
So, here are some suggestions about drink selections in early recovery.
1. Coffee. Coffee is one of your safest bets. It is on almost everyone's menu
and it is served in a cup, which cannot be mistaken for a highball glass. Anyone
who offers you a refill, will know exactly what you are drinking other than with
our without caffeine, with our without milk and sugar. Coffee is a winner.
2. Tea. Another winner for sure, but often more 'fussy' than coffee. Getting the
little pot of water, choosing a teabag, monitoring steeping time, etc, takes
more effort, but you may just find out that you love Chai tea, or Earl Grey.
3. Soft drinks. Soft drinks can be really complicated, so here are some tips
Order your soft drink, if at all possible, in a bottle or can, and ask for it to
be served still sealed. If you are opening your own bottle of Pepsi, you are
sure, without a doubt, that it will be Pepsi, and only Pepsi.
If you are unable to order your drink in a sealed can or bottle, be very
careful! Say this out loud to yourself now, "I'd like a Diet Coke please." Now
say, out loud, "I'd like a rye and Coke please". Hear for yourself how this has
the potential for deadly error.
Don't trust that the drink server has gotten your order right. In fact, assume
that there is a good chance they didn't. Smell your drink before you take a sip.
Get in the habit of smelling everything you drink that you didn't serve
yourself. This is your life, you can't be too cautious.
If you have to leave your drink behind for any reason, such as a dance or
washroom break, don't drink it when you return. It is too risky that you will
pick up someone else's drink by mistake, or some misunderstanding person may
have 'spiked' your drink.
4. Don't order: near beer, de-alcoholized wines, or 'virgin' substitutes of your
old favorites. These 3 choices are very dangerous, as they are on the slippery
slope to drinking alcohol. In sobriety you are changing everything. Vicariously
trying to enjoy beer, wine, or your favorite cocktail without alcohol is still
living in the old mind set. I've heard of many relapses starting this way.
5. Water. Water is always a good bet. Readily available in bottles or tap, it is
hard to mistake water for anything but water.
Two extra tips:
Don't drink out of beer steins, wine goblets or martini glasses. It is pointless
fantasizing and temptation.
Know what you are going to order to drink before you get where you are going.
Have a 'drink choice' of choice, that you automatically order, in case you are
caught of guard sometime, being offered a drink.
If you are an alcoholic, getting and staying sober will be the most demanding
and all-encompassing thing you will ever do. It is completely overwhelming,
which is why it must be done only a day at a time. I'm creating a series of
little essays on some practical advice for living sober.
I hope this bit of advice is helpful. Remember to stay out of slippery places,
we only go to a place where liquor is being served if we have a legitimate
reason to be there. We don't go to the pub for lunch, or the nightclub for club
soda. See to it that your spiritual condition is healthy, and ask your Higher
Power to be with you. He/She/It or They will be.
See Also:
Is There A Treatment For
Alcohol Addictions?
If you drink alcohol frequently then you could have alcohol addictions. These
addictions are one of the hardest to eliminate. The causes are deep seated
emotional problems. To end drinking, requires a strong will and a good method or
process that you can follow.
Addictions and Your Cross to
Bear
Two little stories contain some spiritual truths that can help the addict or
alcoholic look at the way they are living their lives. If you think that your
troubles are worse than anyone else's you will remain in self-pity.
Addiction - 60 Day Key Fob And A Powerful Thirst
I have worked in the addictions field now for 12 years, and I am certainly
baffled. We had the honor of watching and walking through, the painful
excavating and facing of, the dark places inside a young adult I'll call Peter.
Living With An Alcoholic
Living with an addict of any kind is always difficult, especially when you love
them and they are part of your family. Addictive behavior is very destructive
and the addict can unwittingly ruin the life of their loved ones.
Living With An Alcoholic – Don’t Forget To Have A Life
Often people who live with an alcoholic spend much if, not all, of their time
looking after the drinker. They worry about when he will arrive home, even if he
will arrive home.
Family | Health | Humor | General Interest | Devotionals | eBooks | Travel | Recipes | Poems | Prayers | Faith | Inspirational | Library - Home
About the Author:
Jane Derry - General Manager and Spiritual Counsellor. I am an addiction specialist. You can see more about what I do at http://www.ahomeaway.org.
Jane's Mission: Through my commitment to live by spiritual principles, it is my intention to model and inspire hope and encouragement to people, especially to those suffering from the disease of addiction.
-------
Malankara World
A service of St. Basil's Syriac Orthodox
Church, Ohio
Copyright © 2009-2020 - ICBS Group. All Rights Reserved.
Disclaimer
Website designed, built, and hosted by
International Cyber Business Services, Inc., Hudson, Ohio
