I have what might seem like a strange question, but figured it’s worth putting out there. Whilst in recovery, have any of you ever utilised your D.O.C. in a different way than before, e.g. opened a bottle of liquor and smelled the aroma rather than drinking it? Do you consider that a form of relapse if ingestion did not occur?
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40 days here, DOC was bourbon. at this time the smell of whiskey makes me gag. I do find myself watching more shows like Shameless. Despite what rehab taught me (media glorifying substance abuse is a trigger) I found myself watching the show as a reminder of what I don’t want in my life, I’ll watch characters get wasted, make terrible choices and thank god that’s not me today. I also like the film The Substance for this same purpose (use this idea with your own discernment. I understand not all of us can watch shows like that)
I’ve also seen recovering alcoholics online buy their DOC, to normalize being around alcohol sober, and pour it down the drain. There’s a guy on Instagram who will buy booze, make drinks in his car, then pour it all out the window. I find those fascinating, I just don’t have the funds to waste like that, would rather spend “whiskey money” on recovery, but I see the appeal
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I also believe relapse happens long before the first drink. You enter a rough state of mind, you isolate, your thoughts tear you down to the point you convince yourself using is the only way out
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I think maybe testing yourself can be good and if you didn't ingest it that you didn't relapse
But it might be a slippery slope
Good luck 
stay well
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Even with almost 38 month's of sobriety from the alcohol,the smell of any alcohol makes me wanna puke, especially the whiskey as I was a beer and whiskey drinker with the occasional bottle of red wine. As for the meth and the blow...I haven't been around that stuff in almost 7 year's
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I ve got a little 6monthes clean off meth and there shear thought of ever putting that poison in my body the taste the smell the sound just disgusts me to the core Iam able to watch it on TV on shameless and other shows but I'm going be honest I would not goto one of meth old dealers and go in their house just to smell it and walk away that's straight up setting yourself up for failure and to be honest I'm not about to get caught up by police or family members doing something like that how would I explain that I was just testing myself to see if I have yhatthe will power to walk away NOPE THAT IS A NO GO FOR ME I'm pretty positive that I can and recently have walked away but it wasn't a situation I chose to be in but I chose to leave and I will not ever be in a situation that's out of my control to that extent again
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Great question! Recovery looks different for everyone. For some, that’d be risky territory. For others, it’s proof of strength. What feels safe to YOU matters most.
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No I would not consider that a relapse.
However with that said it is definitely not something I would make a habit of doing that's for sure.
That would be like my D.OC. was cocaine and Meth. I certainly wouldn't go around someone that I saw snorting a line and ask them if I smell it or taste it on my tongue. Even though I didn't snort it it smoke it I would consider that a relapse. I certainly would not even put myself close to someone that would be doing that for that matter.
Ask your sponsor what they think?
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@valerie401781
What a great analogy!. I'm wondering how many people will see through it and understand that analogy the trigger, playing it all the way through and realizing that it is an analogy and they be able to apply it to what's going on in their life currently.
Props my friend props for thinking outside of the box.
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I have been dry almost 5 years now. I take communion wine once a month with no issues. Occasionally i drink a NA glass of wine or beer when we go out , again with no issues. However, I was an “at home alcoholic.” My car turned into the liquor store all by itself! I have thought about getting NA beverages for home and sharply decided against it. Its the addictive behavior and characteristics that devoured me. Of course the booze didn’t help either. My point is restarting old BEHAVIORS that I have successfully overcome just doesn’t seem worth it considering the consequences. But that’s just me. 
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I’m a true believer of what you are saying
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If you are excessively thinking about drinking, you have already relapsed in your mind and if you are smelling it. You will soon be drinking again.
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My drink was a redheaded s*** shot. Opening a bottle makes it too tempting to want to drink it In my opinion that's so bad idea. I think you can do something better. Congratulations on your sobriety have a good day keep your heads up
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I’m actually a bartender in Vegas so of all positions in life to be sober , this can be a peculiar one. The Smell never did anything to me but I can imagine if you just use the smell to get the feeling out of your head it giving you a psychological sense of relief so that you don’t have to actually drink it. For me it was the social setting that I missed.
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