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You Suffer From Alcoholism and the Holidays are Upon You

One of the hardest survival tests for someone suffering from alcoholism is to survive the holidays and stick to a treatment plan for alcoholism.

There are many dangers and temptations that present themselves over the holidays when alcohol causes big trouble. If you are trying to avoid the issues surrounding alcohol and your cravings for it being invited to office parties, family gatherings and intimate get-togethers can be rough because you know alcohol will be invited too.

You can have fun and enjoy the holidays if you suffer from alcoholism with the following survival tips:

Tips to keep you sober when going to a holiday office party include ask if non-alcoholic beverages will be served before the date of the party. If you forget to ask or it is inconvenient to ask, bring your own non-alcoholic drink. Make a point to stay clear of the part of the room where alcohol is being served, eat before the party and while you are at the party so that you are not hungry and feel satisfied and full during the party. If you feel that craving for alcohol leave the party immediately. Have a plan for your departure arranged ahead of time between you and a friend so that if you become weak in your resolve a friend can lend a hand and give your the confidence to leave the party without drinking.

If the opportunity presents itself at the party when you are offered an alcoholic drink be prepared to just say no politely, there is no need to explain your response. Keep busy while at the party by dancing, talking with others, helping the host or hostess with food or entertainment but stay away from where the alcohol is being served.

No matter what the temptation, do not succumb to the urge to drink. The party and the holidays will soon be over and you will have great memories of fun and celebration that did not include giving into your cravings for alcohol.

It is always helpful to arrive fashionably late for the party and then just leave early so that you have less time to be tempted to drink.

Just assume that any holiday eggnog is spiked and stay clear.

In order to attend an office party where alcohol will be served over the holidays when you suffer from alcoholism you will need a strong desire to quit drinking and a plan beforehand that includes the above tips.

Surviving family gatherings where alcohol will be served:

In contrast to the holiday office party where the flow of conversation is usually small talk, crazy talk or loud; the family gathering can be full of psychological pressure from those who know your most intimate moments of failure with alcohol and at usually one family member who never fails to remind you about your alcoholic shortcomings. These holiday family gatherings can be stressful for the individual going through treatment for alcoholism. Not everyone at the family gathering is likely to understand that alcoholism is a disease and that you are in treatment for the disease but not cured. Alcoholism is a chronic condition, which means long-term. You will always have to be careful of situations that may trigger a relapse into the behavior that feeds your addiction for alcohol. There are many triggers that are often present at these family gatherings such as stress, anxiety-producing memories evoked by the family members present at these holiday functions.

When dealing with relatives who may give you a difficult time set ground rules between you and your spouse or who ever you bring with you to the dinner concerning what is safe to talk about and what to avoid mentioning or how to steer other family members away from alcohol-related topics. Choose how you are going to behave before arriving and don't let anyone at the family gathering change your mind for the worse, acknowledge criticisms and other comments directed at you and anything that is hurtful or makes you feel uncomfortable choose to ignore it or just acknowledge that you heard them, but change the subject by bringing up the holiday and if they insist say something like, "this is not the time or place to discuss this, instead let's be grateful for family and this holiday" or something like that.

Surviving the intimate holidays moments without drinking:

Studies show that alcohol is a significant ingredient when opposite-sex friends become intimate so how can you enjoy intimate holiday moments when you are in treatment for alcoholism? Alcohol can also prevent you from actually remembering to be present (physically or mentally) at a pre-arranged intimate date so the fact that you are in treatment may guarantee that you will actually show up and be conscience of what is happening enough to enjoy the intimate moments.

You can create the atmosphere of intimacy by using mood music, candles, intimate food and non-alcoholic drinks.