[madisgram]

i've been reading the posts re the holidays coming up and some here are newly sober. your awareness is a good thing cause you want to stay sober. it's an entirely new experience to be sober and not hit a pitfall during the festivities. there are a few things that worked for me:

1. if attending a family event with alcohol being there -arrive early and leave early. this atmosphere can be triggering and set up the temptation.
2. ante up attending more AA meetings particularly in preparation of being around alcohol.
3. avoid people and places where it's common for people getting trashed.
4. have AA phone numbers handy. you may need to make calls if you feel like a drink. talking about this with another person can help you think thru the drink, thus not drinking.
5. in any situation over the holidays get out of where you are if you feel the tug of your addiction. if you stay you will be far too tempted to join in.

i hope this may help those of you newly sober or a reminder for all of us sober. if you wish, post your concerns here and we can talk about them.