Episode #168: The Family Business

Eartha says: I grew up in a family that makes wine. I grew up drinking. My parents are the founders, my brother and sister both work in the business. It is a central part of the family. How do I approach this as a non-drinker? For the extended version of my answer check out AA Podcast Episode #168 The Family Business. Here's the abridged version. 1# Immediacy If you were a heroin addict, then you wouldn't spend your time with your old buddies as they shot up. If cocaine were your thing, you wouldn't get a job working for Pablo Escobar. Get the hell out of dodge. I don’t know if you live with your family, or are so close that what I am about to say next is unachievable, but if each time you see your family the electrodes land on your head for more brainwashing, then you can’t be there without a… 2# Support System Join Strive. AA. Hello Sunday Morning. Soberistas. This Naked Mind. One Year No Beer. Belle. Someone. Anyone. You need to learn to experience triggers without reacting to them. Speaking with like-minded people is the surest way to do this. Otherwise, your experience will feel like reaching the top of the ski-lift and having to come down on roller skates. #3 Philosophy Apply for a divorce from your current philosophy of alcohol and alcoholism. Adopt the Truth About Alcohol (TTAA) philosophy. AA. This Naked Mind. You get the point. Take our philosophy. If you can learn to believe that alcoholism is not a by-product of someone that drinks too much alcohol, but an invisible, violent and dominant belief system and that alcohol holds NO long term value, then it doesn't matter if you spend every waking moment standing barefoot in a vat of grapes, you will never feel the desire to drink. #4 Make Them Your Allies Read Melanie Joy's Beyond Beliefs. It's a book teaching vegans how to co-exist with meat eaters, but the same concepts apply to drinkers and non-drinkers. The key is to learn the skills to make your family your allies, so they actively support your decision to become someone that doesn't drink alcohol, and if this happens, you will find it easier to navigate your way across what currently looks like a rope ladder of coral snakes. I hope that helps. Lee The Truth About Alcohol We Are Not Alcoholic, And we Refuse to be Anonymous If you’re interested in doing Dry January, then why not do it the Truth About Alcohol way? 27-daily coaching videos and assignments and peer group learning devised to make you feel like you have finally taken control of your life. Click here to enrol in the TTAA January Taster: https://www.thetruthaboutalcohol.co.uk/p/TTAA%20Taster Ruth recently graduated from the TTAA November Taster and this is what she had to say about her experience. “The old operating system of using alcohol was creating glitches and crashes in being able to access the potential in my life. I tried to correct the problem on my own. But I needed some tools and support. I found Lee’s podcasts in the end of October and immediately signed up for the November Taster. It was exactly what I needed. I’ve downloaded so much wonderful new information that is aligned with what I want to do with my life. It was simple to understand and the group support could not have been better. Wow! Love where I am after just 30 days.” If you would like to join Ruth and the other Strivers currently taking the TTAA Intensive (100+ coaching videos, assignments, and group peer learning designed to help you become someone that doesn’t drink alcohol, without craving), then click here: https://www.thetruthaboutalcohol.co.uk/p/TTAAIntensive