First time going to Vegas (for work) since I removed Alcohol for the millionth time. I feel like I’m in a good focused routine but my head is already compromising and making excuses I feel it. Any advice to get through the week?
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I went to Vegas when I was 2 months sober…I thought I had it under control lol until I didn’t. But I have an incredible WE who I was able to call the moment I had an urge…I also had an exit plan for every event we went to. If I had to leave early because I was feeling uncomfortable (I didn’t luckily) but I made sure to be prepared just in case! also if you google The Camel Club (I believe they have meetings daily) it was a great group of older men who welcomed me with open arms!
Hey thanks for the tips! I wish I knew a gay LGBTQ group. I’ll have to research
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Have anyone you can call or who can ck on you. That works best for me and meetings
Ask for a Friend of Bill while at the airport, also hit a meeting while you are there . Make sure to reach out to your sponsor and friends for support
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I'm super open about my sobriety and I let my management know how certain things hit me and that I'll hang until I can't then I leave. They can't come at you for any of that. You do you then Irish goodbye that. It's unfortunate that companies have meetings or events at places that are just party zones. We had a thing at work top guys one a trip to Mexico all inclusive and I know what that meant and wanted nothing to do with it. Hang tough and don't be afraid to bounce and head to your room.
When will you be there? I have 10 years of sobriety from alcohol and will be there next week. I am always here to help anyone.
Seconding finding a meeting. It'll ground you. Sure you'll find other folks visiting who are looking for the same thing.
Seltzer with lime is your friend!
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Don't be shy to say I'm a recovering alcoholic and respecting my clean time. Can't run from life and isolate from society. Be in the world but not of the world. Your stand during this mission might be what God wants to use to change the direction of someone else life.
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Focus on the work portion and the tasks you need to accomplish. I do sometimes think its helpful if you tell people you're sober. If you have a decent repertoire with any of your colleagues, let them know you dont drink and see if they can help you not drink. I've found it easier to hold myself accountable if others expect me to be sober. There is a lot of fun things to do in Vegas besides drinking. It's just fun to look around, watch all the shows, try all the different buffets, and see the lights and water fountains. I've also, found almost all places that have large drinks menus, will also have a nonalcoholic drink menu, so I try those so that I feel like I'm not being left out. You got this!
The meeting finder app is a great tool! I'm going to my nieces wedding in North Carolina in a few weeks and found meetings down there already.
Also did you know that when you are in the airport, if you ask someone to page "friends of Bill W" to what ever gate you are at there usually at least 3-5 people that if they can will come and sit with you!
Don't go! Hahah jk. Honestly I went and it wasn't bad . I was definitely not as fun but i made lasting memories and I remember the whole trip to it was a win win vacation. But I totally dredded going. Coming over the horizon seeing all the casinos my inner alcoholic was awoken. But I prevailed and now it's a milestone in my sobriety!
Stay in.
Read. TV. Whatever. If you go out, doing sporting activities only. Avoid bars and fancy entertainment environments unless work related.
I don't go to Vegas.
If your head is compromising and making excuses already then I would say you're not ready yet. Don't get too close to the fire. You look like a very young woman who has lots of time ahead of her. Stay home and work on you a little longer. First things first!
I don't know how much time you have so I'm not really sure where your head is at. I know in early sobriety our heads are a long way from seeing clearly.
PS. I was in the music business as a single act for about 20 years. Alcohol ruined all those years for me.
I keep it simple and say, "I don't really feel like drinking today." If they ask why, which they rarely do, I say "because I'll set my life on fire."
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Play the tape. Last time I was in Vegas for work there were so many parties and free booze I got so sick and was hungover then next day and it was a completely wasted trip (no pun intended). Nothing good comes from alcohol. Hope you can stay away from it!
Play it out to the bitter end! Passed the initial exquisite instant relief. Visualize and remember the feeling of the nightmare hangover, the shame, the cringing memories of drunken acts of foolishness etc etc etc:face_vomiting:
Works every time for me😉
Kitty you’re doing it! Tell on yourself!!! I had to constantly tell on myself in early sobriety. I told people that I was an alcoholic and that I was thinking about slipping. I stayed in constant contact via phone & text, to my sober friends & sponsor.
Also always play it out to the ugly bitter end! Don’t just visualize the instant relief or high, visualize the hangover, shame, and wreckage!! Works for me still after 14 years of solid and happy sobriety. You got this if you if you truly want it😉
Find things that remind you of your darkest times while you were drinking. And keep them fresh in your head before and during your trip. Also the things that you love most that sobriety has given you. Whenever all the horrible stuff that came along with my using drifts too far from my mind, that’s when I start to romanticize or justify “ just one”. You can do it!