Bipolars dealing with Alcoholism Group

MEMORIAL WEEKEND - START OF SUMMER DRINKING?!

I hate holidays. I've never done well with them.

When I was I drinker, I could drink away the awkwardness I felt in social situations. In the latter years of my drinking career, I was content to isolate and drink alone, overindulging. I still remember one Memorial weekend: I had just rented a new house and bought flats of flowers, soil and margarita makings on Memorial Friday. Then I spent all Memorial weekend intoxicated, alone but content, in the yard planting a garden.

So, for me, Memorial Weekend was the start of the summer drinking season. The summer drinking season included the Fourth of July, summer sporting events, all summer picnics and birthdays, etc. and closed with Labor Day weekend.

For some reason, Memorial weekend is still the hardest holiday weekend for me to get through sober. I guess I can still taste those margaritas and feel that gardening hat on my head if I close my eyes. So I spend the weekend with my eyes wide open. There is a vulture on my headboard.

What about you? What is/was your drinking like during the holidays? How will you get through this Memorial Weekend without drinking? What can you add to this thread?

Post edited by: sarahtroy, at: 05/27/2011 12:40 PM

The first few years of my sobriety were hard. I always got good and drunk on holidays. I couldn't wait to get home from any gathering I may have been compelled to attend so I could drink myself into oblivion. But as the years have passed, I have found holidays to be like any other day and even special. Though family gatherings still stress me and I take Ativan before I go, the thought of drinking is no longer haunting me. I think the longer it goes from that last drink, the easier it gets. You get firmly established in living the 12 steps and are hopefully more often surrounded by non-drinkers for the most part. For those who are newer in sobriety, go to meetings if you attend AA and stay in touch with your sponsor. If you go to therapy, call your therapist if it starts getting too rough. And post here where you can get support. Remember, this is one day at a time and holidays count as one day. You don't have to drink anymore to get through emotional or memory difficulties.

Thank you, Uppity, for your words of wisdom. I will go to at least one meeting this weekend (boy do I need one). And I need to read my big book. Guess I'll also hang out with that boyfriend of mine who has 25 years of sobriety.... Thanks for your support!

I was a HUGE BINGE drinker & holidays were VERY hard for me. It was ALL or NOTHING for me, but I began by trying to cut down to twice a week...& limit myself to either 1 bottle of wine or 6-8 beers...then to once a week, but then I had done very well & went back to drinking way to much. I was getting tired of my habits & my daughter found out & my parents too, then no one would talk to me. It was a big mess, I am trying for me & my daughter only. I am with a guy now that supports me & doesn't drink around me, but he does drink wine & I so very much want to be able to drink normally around him, so I guess my desire is not completely gone.

With those thoughts & the Summer coming up & we are cooking out this holiday weekend.

Even after 46 days of sobriety, it will be a test for me & I am hoping to stay strong!