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Sorry Not Sorry, Friend — No Whiskey For Your Birthday
How to Support Your Friends Even If They’re Still Drinking
One of my friends had a birthday party yesterday. In the days leading up to the party, I was trying to figure out what I would get her for her birthday. I explained my dilemma to a co-worker, hoping she could help me come up with ideas.
“You see, I would normally get her a bottle of her favorite whiskey. Easy. Except now I don’t drink, so I’ve got to figure out something else to get her.” My co-worker looked at me in amazement.
“But you stopped drinking, she didn’t! Why wouldn’t you just get her the same thing you always did? She still likes whiskey!” He stared at me like this was a no-brainer.
Yes, why wouldn’t I? Though I had already decided I wasn’t going to be getting her whiskey for her birthday, it was a decision made at the subconscious level. My co-worker’s question made me curious — what it was exactly that made me feel uncomfortable buying my friend booze?
It wasn’t because I was worried that I would relapse. As many of you are, I’m still around alcohol on a regular basis. Just…
