Good evening brothers and sisters!
Last week, I went to an informal work related party/going away party for a co-worker at a nice restaurant/bar.
I didn’t expect it–but one of my co-workers (who knows I’m in recovery from pain-pill addiction) asked me if I could have "just one drink." We were there for dinner–but most of my co-workers drank at least a little.
When my co-worker asked me to drink–I just slowly shook my head, saying nothing (I’ve been told it’s easier to deny a request non-verbally than verbally.
Seconds later, another co-worker (the one who is leaving–and who was drinking quite a bit)–said, "I want to see you get f—-d up."
I am 49– the co-worker who wanted me to get "f—-" up is 58; and the one who initially asked me to drink "just one" is 64. I guess I didn’t expect stupid peer pressure like this from non-teenagers.
At the time, I think I handled the situation well–I never drank anything that night except water. But I wish I had more of an elevator speech of why I’m just-saying-no rather than to say "I’m in recovery" or merely feel intensely uncomfortable. I’m stewing as I type this!
I’m almost 6 months clean-and-sober–but I’m tempted to avoid all work related parties like this in the future (we don’t have too many of them).
Any advice?
Thanks.
