Stephanie was all the things I desired, dazzling, enthusiastic about her work in social logistics, good-looking. Our first date was for cappuccino, and the connection was off the charts.

All week, we messaged one another about anything from politics to family to meals. It was like a phenomenon.

An Encouraging Beginning…

Our next date was a lunch date. I was currently drinking, and I had a few beers to calm down before she came to pick me up. I presumed she wouldn’t know. I was wrong.

She picked me up at my house and I welcomed her in. I ‘d been sober on our first date, but this time I was a few slabs to the wind. I had thoroughly brushed my teeth, gargled with mouthwash, and put on cologne so I wouldn’t smell like alcohol.

She could tell something was off. We had talked about how we both liked to get our drink on, but drinking at ten in the morning was not her thing. I tried to make justifications, I was exhausted, I had been training all night, I was getting over a cold. I could tell none of it was working.

I saw it all going down the tubes, so I started to worry. I asked her if she wanted to share a beer just before we headed out to lunch, and she said sure. But she noticed I drank most of my beer, while she just had a few sips.

Missing Out on Romance

” Come on, let’s go get some lunch,” she said, trying to save a bad scenario.

I tried to guide us to a location with a bar. We had spoken on the phone about how going to a dive bar would be fun with each other, and I ‘d even alerted the bartenders in advance not to show how well they knew me.

She said she didn’t feel like going to a bar, and recommended an ethnic place nearby that she liked. I knew the restaurant didn’t offer alcohol, and by now my cravings were becoming bad. I didn’t know how I could get through lunch minus alcohol.

Eventually, I asked her to get me home. I said my agoraphobia (fear of going out) was attacking, but she said, “No, you just want to get your drink on.” And she was right.

I never heard from her again. I forfeited my opportunity, all for a drink. And after that loss I promised, “Never again.”

We see this very scenario all the time at Northlake Recovery. Relationships are almost impossible to maintain when your primary focus is Alcohol or Drugs. The people you care about become a secondary concern, when your primary is finding your next escape. Call us today to talk to trained expert that understands your addiction in all its many forms. We are here to help. (561)-770-6616.