Know Your Limitations

There is some irony to the title in my opinion, because drinking and using puts so many more limitations on your life than being clean and sober. However, I still think it’s important to know your limitations in sobriety. By this, I mean knowing when you could put yourself in a bad situation that could put you at risk.

Everyone is different. Some people are totally comfortable having dinner with friends who drink. Some people feel uncomfortable if they can smell alcohol.  Some people can handle the office Christmas party if alcohol is served. Some people feel like they are hungry lion walking into a room full of slow antelopes: which should I nab first?

It’s important to recognize how you will react to these scenarios.  That way you can either avoid the event completely or set up a plan to make it possible to attend.

It’s really pretty hard to avoid alcohol 100% of the time (drugs are much easier to avoid if you have given up your drug-using friends and don’t live with an addict).

Remember the best decision is the decision that keeps you sober. It might not be the one you want to make (I don’t want to miss the drunken family bbq! Aunt Zelda is so funny when she falls in the pool every year!), but sometimes the unpopular decision is the right one.

Also consider a sober buddy – bring a friend in sobriety to a work event or family event as a support of sorts (or someone who can let you know when the scene is just not appropriate).

Whatever your level of comfort is, remember you do not have to do something that puts your sobriety at risk. If you just had a heart attack you wouldn’t participate in your job’s team softball game! If you have diabetes you skip the birthday cake at grandma’s house.