Staying Sober in a Bar When You're an Alcoholic

How does one go about staying sober in a bar if you're an addict? Recently, my travel writing job assigned me an article I probably should have declined--review the five best sports bars in Indianapolis. This is a problem for me because I am an alcoholic, and I'm putting myself in temptation's path (What Is Your Reason To Stay Sober?). So recently I've been thinking about staying sober in a bar when you're an alcoholic.

Alcoholism and Staying Sober in a Bar

In Alcoholics Anonymous we have a saying: "If you hang around the barber shop long enough, you'll get a haircut."

We advise alcoholics to avoid bars unless one has a legitimate reason to be there. More often than not, we don't, but our alcoholic thinking tries to justify going. Discretion is the better part of valor, and avoidance is the better part of staying sober.

But what if you have a legitimate reason? When you're an alcoholic, staying sober in a bar is a matter of hard work. As we say in AA, "Don't drink and go to meetings." Decide in advance not to drink. Attend more meetings. Call your sponsor. Do whatever it takes to stay sober. Place sobriety first and you'll find it.

https://youtu.be/v4dHTY4xQFs

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