Day 7

 Journaling- let's bring some things to the surface. I want you to write down some long-held and maybe subtle beliefs you have told yourself about drinking when socializing. These usually sound like tapes playing in your head.

SS network-Day 5 consider your beliefs about alcohol and socialization. We believe that we need alcohol to make us funny, and to help us have a good time. Although I find that I drink more when I am at home alone or stressed with family stuff but less when I am out and socializing. If I am sitting at a table at dinner, I do drink more. I get restless and just keep drinking to calm down. 

Elevation-reframe your assumptions.

alcohol helps me relax-alcohol helps for about an hour and that is only 1 drink maybe 2 beyond that there are diminishing returns. In the long run, alcohol does not make me relax. It makes me tired, ornery, and anxious. The morning after is never relaxing. 

alcohol makes me sleep better-this is not true. Alcohol helps me fall to sleep but not sleep well. Last night my 8 hours was not even enough to make me feel energized. The long-term effects of alcohol on sleep are terrible leading to increased levels of stress, anxiety, weight gain, and messed up hormones. ugh I do not need that. 

Sat-A, Sun M, Mon A, Tues A, Wed A, Thursday M (is finishing the bottle moderation?), Friday M

Tomorrow I am planning on picking up Moe's and then coming home to eat the sub with a bottle of wine. I know that is crazy after the great week I have had but I really love moe's and wine. Isn't it ok to moderate on that day? It is so much better than where I was. I have already saved at least $15 this week.

We had a great day. I acted like a sober person by ordering a salad for lunch rather than steering us towards lunch where alcohol was not served. Then when I got home I ate my Moe's and had a bottle of chardonnay. Friday day 7 I ate Moe's for lunch with a bottle of Chardonnay.