Basically I am the daughter of an ex-alcoholic and have been searching the internet for AA parties/events for New Years. This will be my mother's first sober New Years and I can't find any non-drinking events for her to go to and thought maybe someone on here might know of one? I'm pretty desperate.. She had her first sober birthday a couple of days ago and I know she's really not looking forward to new years :(
I don't know if I'll have any luck on here and don't even actually understand the forum, lol, but its worth a shot?
I'm from London, in the UK by the way... not sure if this is international or not but obviously anyone with any ideas of an event would probably like to know whereabouts :P
Hi daughter. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is international and so is this board. IF you Google AA in Britain I imagine you'll find the local organization's website and they may have some kind of event planned.
In my city, there just is no specific party or celebration for the new year holiday itself. We DO have a local club for sober people that normally has events and food and so forth throughout the day.
Why isn't she looking forward to New Year's? Is she concerned that she'll go to a party and drink? Does she feel like she'll be left out or weird or something if she doesn't go to a party?
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Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, and unto God that which is God's.
Thanks so much! I googled every search phrase I could think of and viewed local AA meeting places and such but there were no proper local websites or any suggestion of AA events for this time of year. I don't know. I suppose I will just spend the night with her :) She's not looking forward to it just because she feels none of her friends will want her out because they'll want a good drink and she'll seem like a bore. This is of course not true but it's her way of thinking. She's not concerned about a relapse but she doesn't really want to be hanging out with drunk people.
Yeah, probably not the best idea either for her to go to parties where the primary activity is drinking. Not with less than a year of sobriety. Good for you for being willing to be with her.
Just a couple more thoughts:
* Sometimes alcoholics find many of their old friends were not really friends, but just "drinking buddies", i.e., alcohol was the only thing they had in common. Sometimes these people just need to find new friends. May be her situation, maybe not.
* Some of us thought that only squares failed to party at every possible occasion, but that's just not the case. PLENTY of normal people spend the evening watching the ball drop on TV or whatever, have some cake or something, and go to bed and enjoy the next day off. Especially people who are old enough to have adult children. It's VERY common.
THANK YOU for helping your mom. Good luck!
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Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, and unto God that which is God's.
Hi - Biker Bill from Barnsley here - maybe if your Mum goes to AA she'll find people there who are having a wee gathering local to you. Also up here in Barnsley the AA groups have a post Christmas / New Years party - maybe there are similar events down your way?
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It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you got. BB
She might have to attend a meeting and thats where she will hear of the festivities. I know that here in Michigan US at the end of each meeting we have annoucements and they tell whats going on in the area as far as sober parties and such. New Years is just another day. Maybe change it up and Just go to dinner and go to bed early. I had to change my ways. The old Sue went looking for parties to drink at for New Years. The new Sue does things different. I dont go and do things that will make me uncomfortable just because its New Years. I celebrate my sobriety and Im am ever so grateful!
Thanks guys :) Everything is sorted now - a friend of hers from an AA meeting is having a little get together and she'll be going to that. Thanks for all your help!
