Saturday 28 April 2018

A dilemma and a wobble

My youngest child, who is a young adult, is pretty good at cake making and decorating and she's in the middle of making a cake for someone.  She is making various decorations with fondant icing which require painting and the powder that she is using needs to be mixed with something that is alcohol based rather than water (don't ask me why... I don't have a clue).  

We were having a chat and she was explaining how she was doing things and mentioned she had obtained a bit of vodka (that was in a water bottle) from a friend so that she can mix the powder to paint the icing.  I was not phased, nor bothered by this and really didn't give it a second thought.

Then she left the house and I went into a cupboard to get tin foil out.... There, on the top shelf is the water bottle with an inch of vodka in it.  I could smell it as soon as I opened the cupboard.  I really, really wanted it.  The wine/vodka witch was straight there... Telling me I could have a sip, have a taste, I won't like it anyway..... No-one will know... Top it up with water... 

I think that this is the first time that I have really felt a really strong  craving for alcohol.  Before, I have yearned for a drink but I don't think I have really physically felt this bad before.  I am shocked that after all this time of being sober that I can still experience this.  I am really sad to realise that I still really have a problem being around alcohol.  Sure, I'm fine being around other people drinking.  I  have had a left over bottle of wine in my fridge before .... But insidious vodka in my home?  No.

I can't blame my daughter.  She won't have realised that it might have this effect on me.  It didn't enter any of our heads.  But should I ask her to be more thoughtful in future?  Do I want my family to know that they still might not be able to trust me?

I am pleased to report that after a bit of pacing around the house and a bit of hand wringing, I gave myself a mental smack across the face.  I have been sober for 42 weeks.  Dos I really want to give that up for a sip of poison?  I've managed to distract myself by putting some washing away and running myself a bath with lots of bubbles.... So, I'm enjoying a soak in the bath whilst looking at reviews for hotel we are staying at when we go on holiday (and blogging on here).  I wouldn't be doing this if I were not sober.  Luckily, Mr W will be home from work too!  Xx

8 comments:

  1. Tell your family. That will be a huge show of honesty and trust.
    Plus, it will protect you from yourself. Hiding anything is risky.

    It’s always good to show we are human and need support. Otherwise we may underestimate just how big quitting drinking is and take our sobriety for granted...
    Hug
    Anne

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  2. If it's talking to you then I agree with Anne, you have to talk to them. Protect yourself, your family want only the best for you and will help out.

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  3. I am so glad to read how well you handled that! Now you know, to ask that it doesn't stay in the house. I know for a fact, that I cannot have any alcohol in the house, and if someone brings it for a party, after wards, I send it home with them.
    xo
    Wendy

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  4. Thank you all for your very good advice. I did have a little chat with my daughter and explained that whilst I don't want to drink, leaving vodka (even if it is just a tiny amount) around the house for whatever reason is still a bit of a trigger. I did stress that it was not her fault. It never entered her head that it might be a problem.

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  5. 42 weeks is a major accomplishment in this fight to stay sober; I'm glad you held steady and strong. I can image the angst of it all. I'm sure once you spoke with your daughter she fully understood the situation, and it wasn't her fault in the least.

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    1. Thank you Lia. I'm pleased that I didn't give in, but a bit dismayed that I was so tempted. I think it reinforces to me that I can't ever drink alocohol again.

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  6. Wow youre strong! I actually would have skipped it myself only because there wasn’t enough vodka to get me good and hammered. One inch ain’t enough. Really love your blog and inspired by your journey. I’m on almost two weeks and feel outstanding but I still get devil sneaky thoughts that appear small and quiet but they are actually quite strong. This ain’t my first go around but the sneaker thoughts still surprise me every time.

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    1. Hi Casie! Thank you for your comments throughout my blog. Well done on almost two weeks sober! That's almost 14 DAYS! Those devil thoughts do nearly disappear over time, but you need to work out what might be a trigger to you and learn how to deal with that because, occasionally one of those thoughts resurface to bite you on the arse! xx

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