Hi Genoveve, congratulations on making it through two days. It must have been difficult with your husband having the happy hour but leaving the house was a good strategy. As for tomorrow night, I think you need to decide what your goal is going to be. I've read your posts and I'm not certain whether you're looking for help moderating or for complete sobriety. I'm not great at the former as I can't have the first drink. I need to remain sober. But forgetting for now whether you want to remain sober at tomorrow's celebration or just drink moderately, I find it is very important, before you reach the celebration, to know your plan and be prepared for it. For example, I always order a large bottle of Perrier or San Pellegrino when I'm in a restaurant and everyone is ordering drinks. I like to know there is a large bottle of something non-alcoholic in front of me. You could try the same sort of approach but, if you wanted to moderate your drinking, perhaps allow yourself one glass of champagne for each two glasses of Perrier. If you're not going to be at a restaurant but rather at someone's home, bring a bunch of bottle of cold Perrier and put them into the fridge. If you prefer something a bit sweeter, you can buy a cordial and add it to the drink. If someone asks why you're not drinking (as much), you should have an answer prepared. I often use "I'm watching my weight". If someone offers you a drink and you don't want one, it is ok to say "No thanks" or "I'm just going to stick with Perrier for now, thanks". I guess I'm suggesting, (1) decide your goal; and (2) work through it all in advance and be prepared to follow it. Good luck! It gets easier with time.
