Has this happened to anyone else?

Recovery
#1

Has this happened to anyone else?
I went out for a quick dinner tonight with my family in the midst of running errands.
I ordered a tonic and cranberry like I normally do now that I've quit drinking. (5 months ago)
And after a couple sips I realized there's vodka in it!!
I had just been to the dentist so I wasn't sure if it really was alcohol and had to ask my husband to try it and sure enough, there was!

It was such a mix of emotions and I was blind sided.
I've been on a strong steady path of sobriety and clarity.
I almost lost everything tonight over an honest mistake.
I say it to this extreme because I am the type of drinker who would of finished that drink and ordered another or two and then stopped at the liquor store on the way home to get a bottle of wine to finish while watching Netflix and folding laundry.
And then I probably would've spiraled for a wk or so until I got super depressed about having to quit again!

I was mad at the server but not really, I was mad at myself for wanting to drink it and not say anything to anyone.
I sent it back but had this nagging in my ear saying, just one wouldn't hurt!
How many times I've been down that road and I still have mixed feelings!!!
So many feelings I wasn't prepared to deal with tonight...

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#2

You ok?

#3

Very similar situation. Somewhere between 4-5 months, I was on a cruise and ordered a virgin frozen drink. I took a long draw from a straw before i realized something wasn’t right. Sure enough, it had alcohol in it. The person I was with agreed. I remember being super cautious for a while after.
I can’t say it didn’t cross my mind for a split second to say nothing but I pretty quickly got nauseous and couldn’t imagine taking another sip.
I think it’s ok to go through all of those emotions. My experience confirmed to me that I made the best decision to stop drinking. I got physically sick, I was disappointed about my first instinct. It felt terrible. But I seem to have a lot of awareness and I’m good with that. Sounds like you do too.

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#4

Great job on being honest with yourself! You demonstrated tremendous awareness and self control👏. Keep up the great work, anyone who reads your post will be proud of you🙋‍♂️

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#5

Good for you! It was a test and you passed with flying colors. Not sure many, including me would have walked away with an “A”! So proud of you! God is good!

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#6

Yeah, gotta always be careful when in public settings ordering drinks. Had similar situation years back. Taught me when ordering drinks in public settings where alcohol is served to order cokes or water. Better safe than tempted. Also, those places rape you on drinks. Lol. It’s there bread and butter.

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#7

You handled that really well. I would have lost my $hit. People probably didn’t even understand the seriousness of that situation. Thank God you got through it.

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#8

Yes, thank you.
It was rough but I'm still sober today so that's a win!

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#9

Thank you :blush: :heartbeat:

#10

Thank you! It really was and it is still.
This morning my son fell into the coffee table and luckily he didn't lose any teeth yet but I'll be keeping my eye out over the next few days!
What a crazy couple days!!
Clearly a test.
Feeling drained right now but still sober so that's a positive!

1 Like
#11

Appreciate your kind words! :blush:

#12

Thank you for sharing!

#13

Thank you for sharing your experience! This is why I don’t order or mess with mocktails. I had one for the first time a few weeks ago and it’s just too dang tempting.
I can say that you did the right thing! Honesty is our program. Those urges are real, the emotions will pass. In this situation I would have called my sponsor. Would have done a fourth step on the waiter or waitress. Prayer and meditation to come in contact with God. Asking for forgiveness and the willpower to get through these urges. Then called a few other alcoholics to see how their doing. That’s the kind of action I must do. In reality it’s a daily thing now…
I’m glad you pulled through! Keep sharing your experiences!

2 Likes
#14

I’m sorry that happened to you . I know how it feels to have that nagging . You are strong ! You didn’t drink it or fall back to your old ways . I would say the universe gave you a test and you passed ! :heart: great job for not falling for it .

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#15

When your ordering a drink make sure the server know your drink is a virgin. That’s all you need to say if you want to share more fine but don’t.
Keep it simple May I have a tonic y cranberry ( place tonic first) then it’s a Virgin :blush:

#17

Thank you :blush:

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#18

Yes. Recognizing opportunities to get away with having just one and kinda wanting to go through with it will happen once in a while and doesn’t have to be a source of shame if we choose to react appropriately. After I had Covid my sense of smell was reduced and I was nervous I wouldn’t detect alcohol in beverages in restaurants. I don’t share my sobriety story every time I order a beverage.

#19

Guess I would order coffee, bottled water, or just anything that alcohol cannot be added to. I know one person relapsed after 6 years. He was on a cruise and he requested a virgin margarita and he did not know they added alcohol.

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#20

First of all: well done on sending it back! And also I’m sorry that happened.
I had the exact same thing happen to me with the same drink like a year ago! Literally ordered a tonic and cranberry, had a few sips and realized something was incorrect. Sure enough, my ex-BFF vodka was swimming around in it.
That sh*t threw me for a loop, and I had a few seconds of my alcoholic mind whipping up justifications like crazy (Aha!! Loophole! You didn’t order it so it’s fiiiine).
I order Red Bulls or soda in a can now. Not worth the risk.

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#22

You’re welcome :blush: