Yesterday I was offered a “soft drink” by a client. I accepted because it was a hot day and it sounded nicer than water. It tasted a bit bitter, but I assumed it was a nice fancy soft drink and not the run of the mill I was used to. The client asked if I’d like another when I returned the glass but I said no thanks. He responded with, “suppose you have to drive home”. I was mortified thinking I’d just drank alcohol!!
Or maybe it was a joke…? I don’t know. I certainly didn’t feel any affects from it, if it was alcohol. I couldn’t ask because I knew I’d cry. I felt so alone and scared of ruining all my hard work! I thought I may as well throw in the towel and get drunk. Or exercise hard & drink plenty of water - which is what I did when I got home.
I still don’t know if it was alcoholic. Last time I tried sobriety I reached about 9 months and my first drink tasted foul and gave me a head spin. It’s been 11 months now and I didn’t experience either of those things. That and if i was offered alcohol i would’ve said no. So I’m not starting my count again.
Has anyone else experienced this? How did you cope? I feel like i can’t trust people. Why did i accept a drink in a glass without any labels? I didn’t sleep last night because of this and the stress of not drinking in summer & the festive season ahead of me.
You don’t know what it was - so whether it actually was or not isn’t really relevant. If you truly didn’t know, then you didn’t know. Nothing to stress about. For real. Intent matters.
If you knew it was alcoholic and drank it anyways, that’s a different story.
In future, you can always ask before you drink an unknown beverage. If this specific instance is going to continue to bother you, you could always circle back to this person and ask for certain. But as I said before, the answer isn’t really important IMO.
A personal anecdote: a few years ago, I accidentally swallowed a mouthful of mouthwash (I use the standard alcohol-based kind because it isn’t problematic for me). I was doing something else at the same time and just not paying attention. Gulp, down the hatch when I was done swishing it around. However, I know in my head and in my heart that it was a genuine accident, so nothing to get worked up over.
I joke with the line that at least I’m not driving when I reach for a second la croix. I think it’s just funny and I’ve seen bartenders do it often with people just drinking pop.
You did not intentionally drink it or experience any effects or feel triggered so I think you are good and shouldn’t beat yourself up over it. I like what T said. Intent matters. You are doing amazing work with 11 months. Now we know to ask or clarify a drink order in a party setting.
Hope you are able to rest easy. Loved that you came home to exercise and hydrate (totally not the mindset of an active addict). Should be proud
It sounds like a silly joke rather than anything else. Also, just my 2 cents, if there was alcohol in the drink you’re very likely to have felt it. Especially after 11 months of sobriety. I remember having that first cursed drink after days/weeks/months of abstinence and it would take less than half a glass to start feeling drunk…
I’m sure it was a joke. If it was alcohol the effects would’ve been felt and you would’ve probably really, really wanted more. You didn’t order alcohol so don’t sweat it.
@JazzyS@Amy30@Dan531 thank you for helping to put my mind at ease! I know you’re all right. What your saying is so logical and I think I just panicked and felt like I lost control.
I agree with everyone. Sounds like something I would say to be funny about having to drive home. You are fine. Even if for some reason it did have alcohol in it you are still fine. You had no intention to, nor did you even slightly want, any alcohol. And the reaction you had just thinking it might of had some alcohol in it confirms you are fine.
