Hello, my name is Elsey. I posted previously about being two days sober and now I’m 65 days. I’m staying with my boyfriend’s family for the next two weeks for Christmas. They’re all crazy drinkers and my boyfriend has been drinking a lot too while we’ve been here so it’s a lot of triggers. I need tips and tricks on how to handle and get through the holidays. Thank you guys.
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Congrats on your 65 days.
Thats a tough one.
Can you find an Al-Anon meeting? Al-anon helped me tremendously as my wife drank a lot in my recovery. Especially on my first sober Christmas.
It ain’t easy but I learned in Al-Anon if I’m focusing on someone else’s drinking I’m not focusing on my recovery.
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Take things to do with your hands, like a new craft you can try whilst sitting down. I bought a “crochet a monster” kit for my first Christmas dinner. It’s fun to learn something new and gives you something to concentrate on.
Also take yourself a bunch of posh non-alcoholic drinks. You can get No-secco and do non alcoholic cocktails.
Tell them all at the start of your visit that you need their support to stay sober and please can they realise that not having a drink is important to you so please do not ask casually if you want one.
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Hi Elsey, that sounds like a terribly triggering situation. Are u able to have some quiet time to pop onto an online meeting? The Intherooms app has a variety of meetings at various times. U dont even need to share if u dont feel comfortable doing so. Might help u to stay recovery focused while in that environment.
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Take time to yourself. Music. Meditation.zoom meetings. Take a drive.
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That sounds difficult. I admire what you’re doing! You should be very proud of yourself. As someone mentioned, just having a soft drink in your hand did wonders for me in the beginning. Soda , fruit juice, even a bottle of water.
also, enjoy your mornings! And observe how the family probably won’t be enjoying them so much. And come on here! I remember a few times, particularly when I went camping for the first time. I was ready to break, came on here and people talk to me off the ledge and I’m so thankful. But here is the biggest one, EAT!! Chips, nuts, even if you are not hungry! One time a bag of peanuts, saved me, lol. Everyone is different but for me it actually chemically makes the cravings go away as soon as something hits my stomach. I have spoke to other others that had the same thing. So pick up your favorite snack and keep going!
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I absolutely love sober holidays and birthdays
I feel the raw magic i only felt while sober
I actually shed teers of joy on a sober birthday once. I achknowlaged more raw love
Heyy @Butterflymoonwoman. 
Happy holiday season my friend
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Hi 
well done on 65 days. 
… for me i have ordered in lots of non-alcoholic drinks for Christmas; 4 bottles of Three Spirit, a 12 pack of Collider and a 12 pack of Impossibrew, ginger beer and fizzy water. Fevertree do some great flavoured drinks as well. For me it’s about joining in with some sort of beverage and I enjoy the many botanical drinks out there and considering how much I used to spend on alcohol I can definitely afford some very luxury non alcoholic drinks 
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Awe thank u friend! Thats very thoughtful 
Wishing u and ur family a wonderful holiday season as well. Im glad we are doing this holiday thing sober hugs
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Me the wife and the baby will have a good holiday
I.even have Christmas eve and Christmas off.
Ill talk to yaz layda
Take care
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@EP_246 My first sober Christmas in many years too. Remember, you won’t be alone; as long as you have this app in your pocket, you’re never alone. I have a party to attend this Sunday, all big drinkers. I’m expecting it to be tough initially until people realize I’m not joking when I say I don’t drink anymore. I know I can always come on here should I feel the need, but I also know deep down inside that I have this. Keep putting in the work that got you to 65 days, use all of that knowledge, and be comfortable saying, “I only want orange juice or soda today.” Let us all know how you did.
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