I am going to be at my dads for Christmas...Sadly there is going to be a lot of alcohol around...I dunno how to be contained around a bunch of drunk people. Any suggestions?

The best solution would be to avoid people, places and things that trigger the desire to drink ... Even if it's family ... Not the easiest solution, I know ... But still the best ... !!!

[madisgram]

that's a challenging situation, are you in early sobriety or struggling to get sober? is there any way to make your visit short and then leave? or not go at all? i gotta be honest with you being around alcohol like what you describe would be a highly stressful enviroment. even those of us sober for some time it would probably be something to avoid. it can set off triggers and you might say, oh what the hey i'll drink too. can you share with us how long you've been sober? that would help us.

[Leed]

NIkole ~ I've got to agree that this is going to be hard. I know you want to go, but being around alcohol in early sobriety (IF you're new) is going to be tough.

I know you feel you have to go for your Dad. One thing to consider is -- do you want to disappoint your Dad if you DRINK?? If you had a drink, your Dad would be really heartbroken, wouldn't he? After all your work to get sober, wouldn't that really hurt him?

Will there be people there who DON'T drink? How about hanging with them? Even if you don't particularly like them, they're SAFE. Stay around them for as long as you're there -- and you don't have to stay long. Tell Dad that it's too stressful for you with the alcohol there, and make a hasty leave when you begin to feel you're going to lose it. It doesn't matter if you haven't been there long, just so you put in an appearance.

The best yet, would probably be just not to go at all -- explain to Dad earlier.
I wish you the very best dear Nikole. God bless & my prayers are with you. Big hugs, Lee

I have been sober for a month >.<
I never get to see my dad so this would be the only opportunity for a while. I guess I can skip it, but I'm kinda nervous of to what my father will say. Everyone there will be in there 30's and most likely going to be drinking. I can't leave early, this is because we are going to be an hour away from my mothers...and I can't drive yet. Thank you for your responses! It feels good to have people that care for you.

[madisgram]

hi nik, thanks for responding back. i think you already know the best solution. if dad is 1 hour from mom you can put your visit on hold. a way to graciously get out of it and true is you're not feeling well. this is true cause you're recovering from alcohol abuse. get it?
it's a good sign you wanted to hear from others whay they would do. just take it one day at a time. so glad you're sober. we're always here for you.

Thanks

's & 's ...

Pfrog!

[gma45]

Stay sober and watch all the drunks that might be a way to not drink when you see how stupid they all act!

Lol Thanks!

[Emotionally Dead]

If you don't feel you can control the urge with that many people drinking, then it is best to stay away as everyone else has said. However, I would talk to my Dad and tell him that you want to see him soon but that it needs to be with no alcohol present. I am sure your family wouldn't mind a get together for you involving no alcohol. You could also try to get there before the drinking started, or planning with your Dad how you could stay a while before they started to drink. That really is your best bet. It's the same with everything else. We can control the urges ourselves, but we can't control them if we don't truly believe in our minds that we can. We have to tell ourselves we are going to control them and actually believe it. Until you're there, it's best to stay away.

Thanks I appreciate the help from everyone, especially because they are working. My father said "okay", but then he tried to guilt me. He did this by saying, "You never see me, but whatever". But I rather be sober than in an environment that isn't good for me.