I'm not going to drink. I'll be surrounded by family members that I simply won't let down. It's just a matter of trying to feel comfortable in a situation that always involved alcohol. So I have a bunch of things planned to make it a fun weekend--sketching (I may even bring my painting stuff), reading, and good food including tasty desserts.

Didn't do any drinking. But I avoided activities that normally involved alcohol for me. I skipped the bocci, snd evenings around the campfire. I stayed at our campsite and read a lot. Went on a couple hikes. And in the evenings, I went to bed early. If any of my wife's relatives thought I was being anti-social, tough. I'm looking out for me. And while it wasn't a great weekend, I proved to myself that I can do this!

I tend to avoid gatherings that are likely to involve drinking unless I'm with supportive friends or relatives and do more things with sober friends, and I've been at this since 2008. I don't know if you go to meetings or have friends who also don't drink, but it's been a real relief for me to do things where it's not even an issue. Hang in there, it does get easier.

I didn't hang out with what you'd call drinkers. I was the one who was a heavy drinker. So I didn't have to go through that whole thing about finding new friends. And all our old friends understand that I'm not drinking these days. So it's not really an issue.

I do go to SMART meetings, but I don't hang around with those folks. It's a great group, by the way. Very supportive and full of characters. Look forward to the weekly meetings.

A sober "me" is a good person. Not sober "me" is very difficult to be with. Congratulations on making it through the weekend. Great accomplishment...and and...please,...take care that nice fellow..who you work with. His name is "me."