23 replies to this topic

[msutherlandglasto08]

Hi

This might seem a bit of a strange one to some of you on here, but I was wondering if anyone knows if A.A. have a presence on site.  I am really looking forward to being at Glastonbury this year and doing it sober, but obviously with the amount of drink around (and my OH will be drinking) I want to know if there is likely to be some support if I feel myself slipping back into old habits.

I know that some people will wonder why put yourself through this, but I love music and the whole Glasto vibe.  Also I have gone into recovery since paying for the tickets.

Feel free to PM me if you don't want to post on here and I hope that someone can help.

Thanks

[4AssedMonkey]

I'm afraid I can't help but just wanted to voice my admiration.  I don't think I'd be strong enough to do that but hope that you are and it all goes well.

[_rachelbon]

if there's no AA, what about the samaritans?

[mandypants]

There is a cocaine counselling service so it is possible.  If not, then I can recommend the Samaritans who you could go and chat to if you find yourself struggling.  Well done btw

[Happy Chappy]

_rachelbon, on Apr 25 2010, 09:22 PM, said:

if there's no AA, what about the samaritans?

From the main Glastonbury welfare page...

The Samaritans
The Samaritans: The Festival Branch of Samaritans have been going to Glastonbury since 1974 offering 24 hour emotional support. They have a team of volunteers who work shifts throughout the day and night dealing confidentially with upset, depressed or suicidal people. The Samaritans' tent (with prominent green and white "SAMARITANS" banners and huge flags) will be situated in the Main Markets area, near Whitelake Bridge, between the Pyramid and Other Stages.

See the Festival Branch website at www.festivalsamaritans.org. The admin address for Festival Samaritans is: festival@samaritans.org.uk Samaritans national telephone number is 08457 909090. Or if you'd rather "talk" via email the address is: jo@samaritans.org.uk.

[Jackmypie]

I'm not to sure, but I wish you good luck man.

[sisterofmercy]

Again I can't offer any info as I don't know, but good luck with it.

[Rufus Gwertigan]

msutherlandglasto08, on Apr 25 2010, 09:10 PM, said:

Hi

This might seem a bit of a strange one to some of you on here, but I was wondering if anyone knows if A.A. have a presence on site.  I am really looking forward to being at Glastonbury this year and doing it sober, but obviously with the amount of drink around (and my OH will be drinking) I want to know if there is likely to be some support if I feel myself slipping back into old habits.

I know that some people will wonder why put yourself through this, but I love music and the whole Glasto vibe.  Also I have gone into recovery since paying for the tickets.

Feel free to PM me if you don't want to post on here and I hope that someone can help.

Thanks

the simple answer is No.

I was going to PM but I will keep everything up front. As an "alcoholic" I have done a number of festivals in the past. I was sober for 2 years and did 20 festivals sober, and then I have started drinking again (just at festivals), and now I have stopped again (since Christmas). I have been on antabuse the lot . End of the day, I manage drinking but it is a struggle, but i choose not to do it..

At the festivals I go to I have loads of support and friends around me, and that has helped when i am sober.

I don't know what you want, as at the end of the day you will on your own at the festival (partner excepted). It is the worst place in the world to try to be sober, and I don't think without the right support some people can manage it. I would say try it after a year dry. (I am going this year but I work, thats a force to stay dry).

In my honest opinion you have a choice. Your sobriety or Glastonbury. It is as simple as that. You will put yourself through hell mate. Seriously you will. I do all the time, but I just have me and I am bi polar as well, and I like the fight.

Either way. keep the faith and stay strong. You control drink and not drink controls you

Dave xx

[popcornmaster]

Like some of the others I can't really provide any information and certainly nothing that hasn't already been said but best of luck if you go through with it

[Frogger_Queen]

Firstly, well done for being so brave. You are an incredibly strong person to be able to stand up and say you have a problem, you should be immensly proud of yourself.

I too don't know if AA are onsite, maybe an email to Glastonbury organisation team asking if there's any help there? Also, is there a chance that your OH would be able to support you by going sober with you?

This is a highly emotive subject for me as my sister passed away in October last year aged just 47 after years of alcohol addiction, my Dad too is an alcoholic, so I totally know where you're coming from. Try not to give in, you've taken a MASSIVE step which I for one, applaud you for, and I wish you ALL the very very best.

Take care & much love
H
x

[mr_bizarre]

I wish you strength for your cause and joy for your Glastonbury.

The way I see it the samaritans are there to help you for whatever you deem necessary, they are a service there for you. Use that service if you need or want, don't ever feel bad or guilty for doing so.

[Cheshire Cat]

Firstly as others have said, good luck to you, it is a battle but well worth it for the way you will feel in the long run.

I have never been to Glasto, and am not an alcoholic, but feel I can offer some advice.

I have in recent years done many festivals and not drunk a thing sometimes I drink a couple of pints through the day but have never been drunk at a festival in the last 5yrs. The reason I do this is to support my partner who has been dry for 21 years this week    . We never did festivals when he was giving up for many reasons children and lack of money being the biggest, but in recent years have rediscovered the fun. We also didnt discuss his 'problem' with friends or strangers a habit I have got out of recently because I am incredibly proud we are still together and he is still alive and hope it gives other hope that it is possible.

I guess it will be difficult for you but talk to you partner, never stop that especially when your struggling perhaps ask her to go easy on the drink to help you and certainly talk to the Samaritans they are very good. It is possible do do festivals and have fun without drinking but it is different, take time to experience different stuff. waking up at a festival without a hangover and taking an early morning stroll around the site is really relaxing I love watching sites wake up  

[mandypants]

As Cheshire says, it's entirely possible to go sober at a festival.  I don't doubt that it would be incredibly difficult for someone who has relied on alcohol, but there is a different side to things which makes it special in its own way.  I drink very rarely so I can certainly vouch for the sober festival experience, it's fabulous

[msutherlandglasto08]

Thanks everyone for your messages of support and advice.  This is my second time in recovery, although the last time was many years ago and I have slipped over time.  I am really looking forward to being sober at a festival of once and my wife will support me (it is something I need to do both for myself and my marriage).  We have had some big discussions about it and have come to the agreement that she will carry all the money so that I cannot go and sneak off for a drink.  I will go and find the Samaritans when I am first on site and someone in a PM has also mentioned another group to look out for (I will PM this to anyone else that wishes to know).  We are also going to camp with my sister and a group of her friends and I will chat with her beforehand so she knows what is going on (she supported me a lot last time I went through this).

I have been to many festivals before (including Glasto 08) and can't remember much of the headliners - it will be great to know what they are actually like.  I don't expect my wife to not have a drink but she says she probably won't drink as much, especially as I won't be constantly dragging her to a bar.

I realise that I had been looking at the festival experience all wrong - I had been planning to buy a hydration rucksack so I could have wine easily on hand.  All my plans had been about how much I could drink over the 5 days - now it is about how much I can see and do.  I really want to live this festival, see the opening acts on the Pyramid and not wander round the site like a zombie.

Thanks once again for all your support - I was very nervous writing my original post but as usual everyone has been great.  You have all restored my faith in human nature.

Edited by msutherlandglasto08, 26 April 2010 - 10:07 AM.

[jimmyk83]

Sounds like you have given it a lot of thought.  I dont have any experience of alcohol addiction, but i know that if you are strong and you want to get through it without drinking you will.

You could look at things the one way and say, "Glastonbury is a hard place to go sober because there will be so many people drinking around me".  I would turn that on its head and have the attitude, "Glastonbury is such a vastly wonderful, entertaining and joyous place, that there is more fun to be had sober there, than anywhere else."

Hope you have a great festival, and good luck with staying on that wagon. Peace.

[ukslim]

If it helps, in my younger and less wealthy days, I used to do Glastonbury more or less sober.

I'd have maybe one or two pints a day, but I couldn't afford to get drunk.

And I had a ball.

[Haggis]

No advice, but good luck from me. Really hope all goes well for you

Edited by Haggis, 26 April 2010 - 01:11 PM.

[Spindles]

A good luck message from me also.

Samaritans are onsite, but that's not really the same.  Bort's blog mentioned a 12 step tent in the healing fields last year also.

[DrWackadoodle]

No advice, just encouragement … I think what you’re doing is fantastic … I just hope you do too!  No idea who you are but I’m seriously proud of you.

[disguised]

Hi there

I normally post on here under different user name but am using an alter ego to post in this strand

I too attend an "Anonymous" meeting- Gamblers Anonymous as that was my particular problem but thankfully ain't had a bet in 15+ years

The last time I was at Glasto which admittedly was a fewyears back I did notice a sign (albeit a very small sign) near to the Leftfield tent (in it's old position) saying that there was a 12 step meeting taking place in the healing fileds (am pretty sure was healing fields) and was open to all of those on that type of recovery- alcohol, gambling, drugs etc. which are all based on the 12 steps

I never made it to the meeting but you never know there maybe something similar on

Maybe worth taking any books that AA have given you and phone numbers of your fellow AA members for any struggling times

Sorry couldn't be of more help but can only wish you strength