Rant: It's really hard to stay in recovery (not necessarily hard to stay sober) when close family is hiding their drinking and gaslighting like I don't know what's going on. Even after I've asked them not to drink in the house because it's triggering and I can smell it, they're still doing it, which is making me nauseous. I'm not craving just anxious and walking on eggshells because they're drunk and anything sets them off. Ugh
I know I can only control my actions. Still frustrating.
Any tips aside from asking them not to drink in the house?
I had to move far enough away that regular visits were few and far between. It’s probably the wrong choice but i deflected it as “it was a great job, so i made the sacrifice.”
I'm sorry, that is really tough. If they value you and your recovery, an open, serious conversation with them about the drinking, the alcohol in the house, what you need from them for support has to happen. If you moving, or them moving, is not a realistic option, I would go to as many meetings as you can and bring this up there for some food support and advice. Getting out of the house doing something will help, but that too is not a long term solution. You recovery is important and doing anything you can to keep it is vital. Not saying you don't already know these things, but if moving can't happen, and they don't listen, keep seeking support from a group, this app, sober people in your life and do your best to change the situation as you can. Wishing you strength and determination!
Thank you for your words, moving is definitely something to think about.
Thanks Jason! Appreciate your insight and you're right. As long as keep connecting with sober friends I can accept what I can't change and release the anxiety. Moving is something that may have to happen if my recovery is at stake and they won't meet me half way. I'm not asking them not to drink. Just not drink around me or be drunk in my presence. A "reminder" conversation is warranted.
Hard truth is they are toxic and if you really want recovery and sobriety , you can’t be around them period
I don't know your situation, but it sounds like you gotta move. Sounds like a really bad spot to be in.
Chad, bottom line is you're right and I need to do something about it. Thank you!
Hi Taylor, yes, unfortunately not a situation I'd like to continue dealing with so I have some tough decisions to make.
Yeah I get it. It's easy to over simplify someone else's situation and tell them what they should do, without knowing all the angles. But in this case it really seems like the only way for you to maintain your safety and sobriety. Your boundaries seem to mean less than zero to your housemates.
Not sure what you mean by close family, but you may need to move out if they won’t stop and you can afford it.
I’m currently coparenting in the same house with the very woman I’m in divorce proceedings with. She’s frequently brings in bottles and bottles of wine and champagne in the house. I don’t care to have that talk trying to figure out why she’s bringing alcohol in the house knowing that I’m newly sober (36days). It could be that she doesn’t care bc she’s bitter over the divorce, or some other reason. But it doesn’t bother me. I can assume the worse, but I don’t know for sure, so I rely my spiritual connection with a higher power and working the AA steps that keeps me going!
Kick them out…. It’s all about respect
Well that is unacceptable behavior from your family. You will have to decide to remove yourself from the environment. I would write each of them a letter with your truth. When they are sober and not in the company of others maybe they will hear you. If not they obviously don’t care or are addicts themselves and you pose a threat to their addiction and having to look at themselves and that is common. Just do eggs you have to do for yourself because you are all that matters. Stay strong
I haven’t seen some of my family for 2 years for that reason. No family parties because there is always a bar setup and I honestly don’t trust myself. It’s horrible. I basically feel like I live in a my own world. My family doesn’t understand anything about my recovery. I have been told to come to the parties and just not drink. I have been talked about by a sister-in-law because I don’t go. I am at the point now that I just don’t care anymore what anyone thinks. I friggin miss drinking and having a normal life with my husband and family, so for that reason I am hyper alert. I have to be. I don’t want to honestly go backs but I do miss the old days. It’s really messing with my head. But 27 months now so why stop.
Honest question: Do you think that maybe others, in the family, cannot control their drinking?
So sorry to hear this. I am so blessed that my family is muslim and no one drinks. Def made it difficult to get them to support me and see it as s disease and not a moral failing at first, but having booze around while trying to get better would have certainly been problematic. I'll keep you in my prayers.
Unfortunately, not her place to do anything with that information whether or not they do.
What do mean, you cannot think about it?
Its an unnecessary distraction from getting your own affairs in order. Not meaning to sound forceful or judgmental at all. Early recovery, at least for me, has to be quite intrinsically focused.