Yes! So much to be said- absolutely pushing onto people one “This” way or no way is unequivocally and absolutey harmful, completly cocky as fuck to think they have a orner on what we are all about as human form. I believe jn and oractice equinimity at all levels BUT I cant and wont hesitate ro be authentic straight out. I created enough regret, shame and guilt on my own and refuse to live my life depending on a diety as it were. A way of life and belief in something so incredibly wonderful and stretches farrrr beyind the small minds of most teachings and dogma- Is my authenticity- and ill rock with that all day long!
They’re usually following a person, a leader, who is manipulating them, too.
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I haven’t yet but thanks for the rec! Checked it out and it’s going to be next up I think; trying to keep my mind in the positive/introspective lane to keep my brain on chill more often but in a more constructive manner lol
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I loved that book. I hope you do too. No god, no steps, just focusing on How you think about alcohol and what you know about the effects and science of it.
I’ve just got this too, I went the AA route after rehab and have done the steps but the god thing has never resonated with me and am wanting to seek other routes.
There is a lot of great aspects about being part of the fellowship especially the connection with others for me but I’m always like seeking a difference point of view 
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I posted this before but here is a Google doc with 24/7 online atheist/agnostic AA meetings. If you liked the steps but aren’t into the god stuff. I don’t do the steps but I still go to some of these meetings for the connection. https://docs.google.com/file/d/1AuWy7FKCG-R_pyRZzEjFXkH-Rw_0VEzi/edit?usp=docslist_api&filetype=msexcel
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Thanks, we do have some in person meetings like that here but also ways handy to have another avenue 
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This tbh definitely
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facts 
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Back on topic. I had a fight by telephone while I was at Schiphol airport ready to board for my first vacation in 2.5 years. During that call my best friend all but ended our 30 year friendship. The call had to end when I was told to put my phone in airplane mode as the plane was about to take off. I haven’t spoken to her since.
This situation gave me a couple of serious craves for drinking during the first few days of my vacation in the Czech republic. Especially because it combined with the fact that everybody seemed to be drinking beer in the Czech Republic, on the street, in bars and restaurants, in public transport, everywhere. And it costs next to nothing as well. I felt close to having “one” a couple of times. Although it’s probably closer to the truth to say I just wanted to get wasted.
What saved me and my sobriety was having my peers close by. First of all I talked to my travelling companion about it, someone who’s a member of this site too and knows the deal. Secondly I came here and shared about my craving. Just speaking it out defused most of the triggers. And thirdly I came here and read up on some relapse stories, on folks sharing how they thought they could have just one, how they had learned they could moderate, or how they thought “to hell with it” and drank. None of them became happier by drinking. Quite the opposite.
It’s having connection what saved me. I can’t do it alone. That’s why I am here. That’s why we are here together, just like people in any other p2p support group are. Thanks for being here friends. It works.
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I think you’re very strong Menno. To have that happen and then face all that temptation on holiday, but still have the strength to look after yourself in that way. Glad you had the support of your sober buddy too, must have been a great help at that time.
My best friend of 10 years ended our friendship out of the blue a few years ago and it sent me into a tailspin for many months. Got into a dark place bc of that and a few other circumstances.
Please take good care of yourself while you process it, and take time to grieve your relationship. It will get better with time. Best wishes 
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So glad and proud you didn’t fall for the temptation, and that little voice in your head. It can be so tricky when something out of the usual happens. Sorry to hear you lost a 30-year long friend….
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I think that’s just a normal way to speak, I mean it’s generally what I say anyway.
After many years in public safety and my current job I still get the things like bless you etc. in public safety we were taught to just acknowledge them or say thank you and move on, while working with people in person or on the phone we were not to say anything related to religions or even happy holidays etc. as it portrayed a bias to one opinion or another
I learned to just say ok and move on, if I end up in a discussion about it. If never ends and usually ends up in a disagreement, if I use one of the terms above I’m not being arrogant or ignorant I’m just replacing my words to suite my tastes
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