Yesterday I had the house to myself for about 5 hours. Usually during this time I would go to the store, buy an 18 pack and drink as much as I can before my wife came home. This time I did something different.

I went to Walmart, got a bag of ice, 12 pack of La Croix, dumped them in my cooler and crushed all 12 in a bit over 4 hours.

Was I bloated and kinda felt like shit, yes. Did it trick my mind enough to not drink the first time being left alone sober, also yes. Did I hide the empties in the bottom of the recycling because I was ashamed, absolutely yes. But I stayed sober.

Edit: typo

Edit 2:

Thank you all for the likes and responses! I had no idea how many other people in recovery do the same and sub out alcohol for a different NA beverage!

I got so use to driving to a dive bar every day during lunch and drinking 3 or 4 beers that I just crushed 4 Croix at my desk. Had to run to the local grocery store and ended up getting a 12 pack and throwing it in the work fridge. I’m going to bring 6 every day until I get over the ‘ritual’ of drinking at lunch. Thanks again everyone. IWNDWY.