[splitimage]

I just booked my flight to Germany and ordered a guidebook to Berlin so that I can start planning my trip next month. And I'm already playing dangerous head games with myself.

If will be my first international flight (free booze) and first holiday (always an excuse to kick back and drink) sober. And Germany is known for it's beer. And I like beer, although it was never my drink of choice.

So of course I immediately start planning a relapse. My addiction is telling me that I could just stop taking the antabuse before I leave, I could drink while on holiday, I was always pretty good at controlling my drinking on vacations, and then get back into recovery and start taking the antabuse once I'm home.

Rationally I know this is a BAD IDEA. My last drinking spell turned into a four day binge which I can't risk in a foreign country and fortunately I still remember how sick I was afterwords. I also know that by picking up that first drink I'm more likely to eventually totally screw up my life again, or as my sponsor so cheerfully puts it wind up dead.

I know staying sober is the right choice to make, but geeze the urge is overwhelming.

Moral support or kicks in the *** as to why it's a lousy idea for an alcoholic to drink are more than welcome.

---splitimage

[Christina86]

(((((((((splitimage)))))))))))))

Not worth it. I have heard stories though, my friend gave up alcohol and then visited a lot of the European countries, and a lot of places with a lot of booze. But he didn't drink, and I know you can *not* drink as well.

One step off the path will lead you far away from the road to recovery. You're doing a fantastic job at the moment. You're some sort of inspiration for me, truthfully.

(((((((((((splitimage)))))))))) talk to your sponsor, that's what they're there for... to convince you to not do something you'll regret, when all of us "computer people" cannot be there for you in person.

Split, you have come so far - would it really be worth it to sacrifice the amount of time you have been sober for one short time drinking? I don't think so - look at how far you have come girl! You need to keep on truckin, so to speak. And if you think of it, you are already successfully not drinking now, and there is alchohol in OUR culture too - so I KNOW you can be sober and still have a GREAT time.

[StarPonysMama]

Think about how bad your head will hurt the next day and how you won't be able to TRULY ENJOY Germany and all that the experience of visiting a foreign country has to offer.

((((((Split)))) I love to travel and going places means "vacation" and many of us alcoholics associate a good time with drinking. Sad thing is - we drank the good times away.

Push yourself to the limits by saying "no thanks". You ARE capable and you have the CHOICE to NOT DRINK. YOU are STRONGER than the alcohol. You can do this. You can pull this off. I have faith in you.

Sending positive energy your way!

[splitimage]

Thanks everybody. My sponsor had a great idea, apparently our local inter-group office has a world wide directory of contacts so she said to call them to get names of people in Germany, and hopefully right in Berlin, before I go. That way I can call them even before I go over there and if I'm really lucky there might even be an English language meeting.

I know rationally that I really don't want to drink, it's just my stupid addiction talking that I'm having trouble shutting up at the moment.

--splitimage

[Lenny]

We had a young lady in one of my groups who recently went on a cruise. She had nine good months...

Her sponser "suggested" that she felt her sobriety was not strong enough for such temptation. Others also agreed.

She went.

She is out there now,,has abandoned her children which the courts just recently gave back to her..is living with some crack addict,,while her new husband is deeply concerned about her life.

I am too,,,but am powerless.

Please listen to those about you split,,,listen to your gut,,,you know what you are ready for.

Then do what your going to do...in the end,,it is your life and sobriety.

With care,

Lenny

[jbug]

If I may give you a success story of someone going to Germany being an alcoholic and living to tell about it. My sister is a recovering alcoholic and she lives in Germany. She is doing great and doesn't give into the temptation her husband is also a recovering alcoholic and also doesn't drink. They even go to Oktoberfest things and don't drink. They get cokes or water and laugh at all the drunks. So if they can do it after living there for 5 years I have confidence that you can go on vacation there and stay sober.

Jbug

[bmoz]

You have power over that first drink. Don't have it, don't give in to the addictive voice. Trust yourself and have a magnificent holiday with no drama and no vices.

[bmoz]

Just to let you know it can be done, if I can do it anyone can. I spent 6 weeks in London, Amsterdam, Barcelona and Malaga ES TOTALLY straight. Not to mentim I flew first class so you can imagine the unlimitted
Top shelf in my presence. And the tastings available in Heathrow omg. Was IMPOSSIBLE but I won over my addictive voice.