[splitimage]

Had an appointment with my addictions Dr. this morning and it was good. I'm going to AZ next month to spend 4 days at a really high end resort with my brother and his wife. My brother is very generously picking up the tab, otherwise I could never afford it. I get there 2 days before them, so have a day and a half on my own before they arrive, then we have 2 days to hang out together and then i fly home. This is a huge trigger for me. It'll be my second sober vacation and the first one doesn't really count as it was tagged onto a work trip and I didn't want my boss to see me drinking. Whenever I've travelled I've always drunk alone in my hotel room at night. I really don't want to, but I kind of viewed it as inevitable given my history of relapse. But talking it through with my Dr. today I realized it wasn't inevitable, that I had a choice, and I could choose to be sober. this may sound obvious, but it was a bit of a breakthrough for me. It's still going to be hard and triggering, but I think I can do it. I'm going to look up AA and WFS meetings for when I'm there.

--splitimage

[madisgram]

have a great trip, SI. i was on a plane/business trip and announcement said , "is anyone a friend of bill w.?" i thought, wow way cool. somebody needed support on our trip and thought of this. so this is a good plan if you feel like a drink on the plane.
as for hotel room...try to stay out and about during the day/early evening to not be in the room so much. that should help. take snacks/sugar to cut any craving if need be. call an AA friend where you live or your sponsor/take phone numbers. will reinforce the positive.
and u're right, you do have a CHOICE. just remind yourself of how you felt on your relapse and how tough the road has been. you never ever have to feel that way again.
take your higher power in your pocket and some literature too. will keep you in my prayers, for real, that you have a wonderful sober time plus visit with family.

[Perna]

Let us know here when the date is and maybe several of us can have a thread/chat, something online; "wander" the internet together and report back fun/interesting things to look at, our own Sober Vacation Party (SVP)?

Hello, splitimage. Gaining insight is good.

[millhouse]

keep it "simple" spiltimage, ODAAT or hour or what ever needs be,now that you have got that monkey of your back let him climb a tree or somthing but dont let him back on ur back ,.enjoy your travels,,and keep it "simple".

[Side of the Angels]

You do indeed have a choice. That was a huge revelation for me as well. Once, I did not have the power of choice in drink. I had to drink. Today, If I wanted, I could go get a drink. But it's almost been two years, and my life has completely changed, I have a new way of thinking and I wouldn't choose that life for anything in the world, except another drink. Hang in there, pray, pray pray. And have fun!