. Cough suppressants may also contain narcotics

Sobriety Maintenance: 5 Tips to Stay Safe and Sober by Jane Derry
In recovery, only one thing has to change, but that is everything. And everything is included in everything. Spirituality, emotionality and mentality are addressed in other articles. This article is purely about the material and physical.
5 Tips to guard sobriety:
1. Mouthwash
Make sure that your mouthwash does not contain alcohol,5825 Ugg Classic Short Chocolate Boots. Read the label carefully before purchase,UGG 5838, and check the bottles in your bathroom. If they contain alcohol, throw them out! It isn't worth the risk. The taste and smell are triggers that you may not even be aware of while gargling, but your disease knows, and will take advantage of your vulnerability.
2. Cough Syrups
Same as with mouthwash, check all the labels before you buy, many cough syrups do contain alcohol,5803 Ugg Bailey Button Grey Boots. Cough suppressants may also contain narcotics, such as codeine. If you are in doubt, ask your pharmacist to verify the product is narcotic free. Many people in recovery have relapsed by naively using cough syrups, and triggering a craving. That almost happened to Bill W. himself.
3. Hair Products and After Shave
In early recovery you just can't be too careful. Think about using a gel or hairspray, or aftershave lotion containing alcohol. All your senses will be encased in the cloud of alcohol fumes. Don't risk triggering a craving, just to use a certain product. There are many alternatives to alcohol based products.
4. Menu Items at Restaurants
It seems that the more expensive and fancy the restaurant is, the more likely dishes contain alcohol. Read the description carefully before ordering. If there is booze in it, don't order it,UGG 5803. If your server tells you not to worry, that the alcohol is cooked off, don't risk it! Is your sobriety worth the Coq au Vin? Let your server know that you have a deadly allergy to alcohol. By using the word 'allergy' in a restaurant, you will be taken very seriously.
5. Someone Offers You a Drink
This can be really scary in early sobriety. Don't be caught off guard. Here are some possible answers:
No thanks,5803 Ugg Bailey Button Chestnut Boots, I'm not drinking today.
No thanks, I'm allergic to alcohol,5803 Ugg Bailey Button Navy Boots. When I drink, I break out in spots. Like Vancouver, Calgary, Hawaii...
No thanks, you don't have enough here for me.
No thanks, I don't want to vomit on you.
No thanks, but I'll take the money instead.
Seriously though, have an answer ready. Usually "No thanks" by itself is enough. You don't have to explain anything to anybody. And besides,keep your vision in the forefront of your mind and leave the rest behind., you'll quickly find out that most people don't care or notice. It isn't all about you:)
Early sobriety can be a heady exciting time. Just remember that alcohol is a subtle foe, you must be vigilant, and keep yourself safe at all times. Soon enough, it will just become habit and second nature.
If sobriety doesn't come first, nothing comes second.
My name is Jane Derry and I am an addiction recovery specialist, find out more about what I do at
Rethinking Rehab. Addiction recovery, it is not what you think. A Home Away Retreat is a unique opportunity for people in early sobriety to heal, and learn the tools to live the life they desire and deserve, sober.