91AggieLawyer said:
Quote:
Not being a drinker in business and social settings was not a factor in being accepted by customers or colleagues.
This has always been my experience. I've rarely drank and almost never away from home or where I've stayed that day. I've never really understood the social thing much because I've never been affected by it. I think if that does get to be a problem for you, as difficult as it sounds, you might need to separate yourself from those that don't necessarily have your best interest in mind. I know that's easy for me to say, but they aren't going to be there picking up the pieces of your ruined life, to pay your fines or certainly not to reimburse you for the thousands you spent on the stuff. I know those that don't actually drink that much but still think nothing of dropping $25-40 a night solely on alcohol. I can eat well for 2 weeks on their weekly alcohol budget.
I was at a wedding about a year ago. The groom's parents bought a bunch of alcohol for the guests to enjoy at the reception -- no costs to them. But they did hire bartenders. Thank God! The groom's mom got so wasted that the bartenders stopped serving her -- even after she pleaded with them that she paid for the stuff. I can't imagine anyone embarrassing themselves to that degree, much less at their own child's wedding.
I wish she would read this thread.
But with all that said, I do support every effort outlined in this thread.
That's right, you can't imagine. If the woman in question is an alcoholic, as defined is the Big Book of AA, when she started drinking the phenomenon of craving kicked in with the idea that this time it was going to be different.
This never happens with the average drinker. All the people that love her and give her all kinds of advice, stick to wine, lay off the hard stuff, stop at three, be sure you eat, etc. just don't understand.
BUT, she could walk into her neighborhood AA meeting, tell that story to a room full of total strangers, and they would all understand. Very little, if anything will be done to help her until she wants to do something about it.
The person that is not willing to fight and die, if need be, for his country has no right to life.
James Earl Rudder '32
January 31, 1945
