Currently sitting in a cafe in Rome.

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Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.

We are on the downhill slope of our trip. We leave Sunday! But it's been amazing. It feels weird to not have to check-in every morning but it is also incredibly freeing to just be normal for a bit.

There is booze everywhere of course but the Italians don't drink during the day and almost never to excess. The tourists are another matter but we go to bed early so we can hit the tourist spots before they fill up.

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I think you are the first person to ever put a face to the name! I am so happy for you! Enjoy your Vacation!!!!!!!!!

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I am also on vacation! This is the good life!

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Not to be a downer, because a vacation is necessary and wonderful... and I cannot wait to finish my monitoring so I can take a proper long vacation...

I went to Rome 2 years ago- the freedom itself was intoxicating- it felt so good to be free from work, and free from monitoring! When I returned life didn't feel quite right, then I had a slip up and a positive drug screen. Almost like I wanted to be caught just to be out of monitoring.

When you return, watch your landing.... do extra self care... talk to a friend or four...

Though enjoy today- and thanks for sharing :)

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Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.
Almost like I wanted to be caught just to be out of monitoring.

But...you knew you'd get extra monitoring with a relapse?

I find it so sad that doing basic, normal things like going on vacation is an intoxicating freedom. :( I am not a criminal. (Literally. I am in the program for alcoholism. No criminal charges.)

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I actually did not get longer monitoring- even if I did the slip up was a great learning experience.(Relapse to me is a return to the previous behavior). Also, most of us knew when we were in the midst of our addiction that something was wrong, and that there could be consequences... didn't stop me then. The thing that keeps me sober is a desire to be sober, and keeping in mind the steps I logically need to take to keep me there.

It just led me to trace the path back to when the relapse/slip up started, my best guess was when I went on vacation, and got the taste of my normal life (I have been to 30+ countries). It was enough for me to become intoxicated with the idea that I wanted to resume "normal" life without monitoring.

None of us are really criminals- we only harmed ourselves- we aren't bad people, and do deserve to do things that make us happy (Like sipping espresso by the Colosseum). Anyway- I just wanted to share my experience as I would have difficulty before my addiction readjusting to life at home after a fabulous trip... just one more thing to be aware of.

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Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.

dirtyhippiegirl, so glad you are enjoying yourself!!!!!

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