Sobriety and business meetings - Stayed strong! 💪🏻

[Jesile]

Today I had my first big challenge… Today I’m on day 28, which is more than I have achieved in the past 10 years! But to be honest I have been avoiding any tricky situation so far. Today I had a business meeting with my boss outside of our regular work environment. So obviously I could no escape from that one… First it was business, but at lunch time it was all said and done, and out came the bottles of wine! I was dying for a sip, with 10 people all having a cold glass of white wine in front of me, but I stayed strong! Any tips on how to deal with these situations, because on the inside I was histerical and just wanting to leave the place!

[LeeHawk]

You absolutely won today! It will get easier the more you experience these functions. Get out of there as soon as you can if it gets to be too much. Make a plan. Well done today.

[Jesile]

I have mixed feelings, I am angry that the desire to drink was there, but sooooo proud I didn’t fall for it! Everybody was drinking, literally every single person there, I felt so out of place! I did indeed leave ASAP. Once the first person left, I joined… I guess it will get better in time!

[SinceIAwoke]

Pro tip #1, always have transportation to leave when you need to.
Pro tip #2, pull out your phone, open your most recent text and announce that you have to leave to take care of something at home. Then leave, don’t explain.

And whatever your do, don’t ask @Thirdmonkey for advice on how to gracefully leave a drinking situation! Scott, you can link your thread if you want!

[Jesile]

Ok @Thirdmonkey, spit it out!

[Thirdmonkey]

If I knew how to link it I would.

[Thirdmonkey]

I suck under pressure

So, i went out with 2 friends. Not a huge deal, they don’t drink, and I wasnt worried about being tempted. I was a little nervous, as in the past I would always have a beer or 2. What if they say something, when I order an Ice Tea. They don’t know the extent of my problem. I had no desire, to tell them in that environment. A friend suggested I say something to the affect, that I have a yeast issue in my stomache, and the doctor told me to stay away from yeast…no one wants to hear about sto…

[Thirdmonkey]

From the first time I was here

[Jesile]

Oh boy… I’ll rather stick to @SinceIAwoke Dan’s pro tips 1 & 2!
Screaming “I have diarrhea” in front of my boss and colleagues, doesn’t sound like an option!

[Thirdmonkey]

Ya, totally over thought that situation…lol. that story still makes me laugh

[siand]

A few older threads about sober socialising (I know its business, but lots of the info will be relevant) with helpful stuff

@Robin

Should I go to the party, wedding, holiday get together? And what about drink after work?

(Advice for holidays, parties, weddings, etc )

(“Let’s grab drinks” )

First sober party

(Looking for Wedding Tips )

@Jesile

Once the first person left, I joined

Did anyone make a big deal about the fact they left?

When I started doing things sober that I used to get drunk at, I really noticed how many people left early and how much it didn’t matter. Go, do what you got to do (or want to do if a social occasion), then leave! Even if people miss you when you go, it’s hardly going to spoil their whole day/ night/ whatever. That was a really helpful thing for me. And its always good leaving something knowing I haven’t done anything that j will later regret, and of course no hangovers!

It’s totally normal to find it hard to start with. Don’t push yourself harder than you have to or want to. It will get easier, no need to rush

[Jesile]

Thanks so much, I’m gonna read those now! I’m sure there’s some helpful stuff! Tomorrow 1 month, Can’t believe it!