No alcohol. NONE

Nurses Recovery

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Hey everyone!

I am brand spankin new in recovery and just signed my contract last week. I am in recovery for opioid use. I understand the reason behind not using any mood altering substance while in the program. However, just because we understand something doesn't make it easy. This past weekend was so hard for me.. and not because of narcotics. I am 26 and live in Charlotte with my boyfriend. Of course.. this past weekend we met up with friends for dinner and immediately I'm questioned as to why I didn't order a drink with dinner. Then everyone wants to check out a new brewery downtown but I am DREADING IT because I know I can't drink and have to come up with ANOTHER explanation. I guess I didn't realize how often alcohol is involved in my social life. I don't care to quit drinking, but I guess its just the CONSTANT excuses I will have to give to people which will be a constant reminder of my mistakes. I'm also a little upset about no champagne on my wedding day or margaritas on my honeymoon. How have you guys delt with this? Has it been difficult for anyone else? Thanks!

It is not a lie. You are choosing not to drink.

You can choose to not drink and keep your job, or you can choose to drink and loose your job.

See, choices.

There are consequences for your actions. If you did not want to have to choose to drink or not, you should not have made the choice to do whatever got you into that situation. If you want to keep drinking or abusing drugs, you can choose to do that, but again, there are consequences to that choice.

Well thank you for enlightening us about the consequences of our actions. I guess after the years of torture, senseless BS and near bankruptcy most of us really had no idea there were consequences to our actions without your anonymous and sage advice.

Actually if these programs just took the hypocrisy out of their rhetoric I would have a ton more respect for them. Instead of using the whole we're here to help nurses in a non-punitive way who have the disease of addiction they should simply tell the truth. The truth in my eyes would be is that we are here to suck as many nurses into these programs as we can regardless of disease (yeah nurses with mental health disorders are sent to rehab & meetings to with NO history of substance abuse) so we can punish to the utmost extent while enriching our buddies in the rehab industry and allowing faceless other nurses to stand in judgement of them. I'd have much more respect is they just said we want to beat you bloody and take all your money like a respectable hood plying his trade of theft and extortion instead of draping themselves in some therapeutic rouse.

Thanks for setting us all straight though. I have no idea how we would get through the day without yet another nurse saying we messed up because ours lives and careers being in shambles is clearly not enough evidence of that without your ever-so-valuable reminder

I have not told any of my friends and I started in December. I still haven't told them I don't want to. I am embarrassed and to be honest, I don't feel like its their business. So whatever YOU feel comfortable doing. As far as excuses... I have completely kind of cut myself off from my friends, so I haven't had to explain as to why I am not drinking. But.. You could say you are trying to be healthier and not drink.. trying to lose a few lbs and this is your way of doing it.

Theres a wedding I am invited to in march and to be honest, I am thinking of not going. I don't want to deal with the questions or see anyone. I just don't even want to deal with it. I don't recommend do what I do. Because closing yourself off isn't good either. But you def have us to help you. This is a long process.

I can relate to the OP. I have had an alcohol addiction for over a year, and a few times I went to work with alcohol on my breath. I sometimes could not make it through a day without becoming ill at 1 or 2pm. I quit my job and it's been two months and have stopped drinking on my own accord. I am looking to get a job at a local assisted care facility or as a floor nurse at a local hospital. I can relate to the OP because I have avoided seeing my friends, as most events revolve around alcohol. I hope to one day be able to enjoy 2 or 3 drinks socially, but right now it sends me right back into withdrawal.

Stay strong and keep up the good work!

Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
I have not told any of my friends and I started in December. I still haven't told them I don't want to. I am embarrassed and to be honest, I don't feel like its their business. So whatever YOU feel comfortable doing. As far as excuses... I have completely kind of cut myself off from my friends, so I haven't had to explain as to why I am not drinking. But.. You could say you are trying to be healthier and not drink.. trying to lose a few lbs and this is your way of doing it.

Theres a wedding I am invited to in march and to be honest, I am thinking of not going. I don't want to deal with the questions or see anyone. I just don't even want to deal with it. I don't recommend do what I do. Because closing yourself off isn't good either. But you def have us to help you. This is a long process.

It isn't any of their business....but some of them would be supportive, and I'm sure all your friends are wondering where you are. In the meantime, people here care about you and want you to be happy.

OP, remember the words to the song by Roger Creager (it's called "Everclear"):

Tequila dries me out/and beer just makes me fat/whiskey makes me nauseous/tell me who the h3LL needs that....

You don't owe anyone an explanation.

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