Progress

The other night I watched the rugby in a bar. In the past rugby has always been associated with drinking. I would watch in a bar or at friends houses and get absolutely tipsy if not roaring drunk. A previous wake up call had been during the rugby world cup last year when I drove home drunk with my 3 year old in the car. It didn't matter what time of the day the rugby was on - early morning games broadcast from Europe would be celebrated with bubbles. Evening games from NZ/Aus with wine or bubbles. This time we had invited a large group of new friends (we are currently living on the other side of the world from home) to watch the game with us as a thank you for welcoming us so warmly into their village. We put on nibbles and drinks (a premixed alcoholic cocktail). The crowd was international with children running round and playing happily. I stayed until almost midnight at which time I took the exhausted kids home. Hubby stayed on (oh how times have changed). It wasn't until I was lying in bed later with the 4 year old snuggled up to me that I realised I hadn't thought about alcohol at all during the evening. I hadn't felt angry that I couldn't drink it, or lost when someone asked me if I wanted a drink. In fact I hadn't thought about it at all. It helped that there was a non alcoholic cocktail available so I didn't have to think about what to drink. And I was busy watching the rugby, talking to friends and supervising kids. But it feels like after 8 weeks that the habit might finally be breaking. I no longer feel too aggrieved when hubby pours a glass of red either. A cup of tea and piece (or 10) of chocolate in front of the fire seems to do just as well!