Short Play From The People

Patspnn: Mama would you like a drink of wine?

Grandmother: No not now. I only drink on Thanksgiving. Watch out for that Mink Water it can kill you and steal you if you let it

Wine, Beer, Liquor. These are liquid spirits which gladden the hearts of social drinkers and sadden the hearts of problem drinkers. But drinking sensibly can be good for you, and red wine has ingredients in it which is good for the heart. Thus responsible drinking.ts of importance to our being in some instances.

However what if you have stopped smoking, are a social drinker but most of you drink log contains a cigarette or some smoke at the end of the shot glass, wine goblet or Beer Stein? You have stopped smoking several times often doing well until you meet up with old John Barleycorn, and after a swig from a shot glass, wine goblet or Beer Stein this compels you to smoke; then the cigarette addiction rears its ugly head again.

But take heart, dear heart for there is a solution ot this problem-you can drink without smoking anything. I've been down this road before and it's a seemly sight to go through being beaten by a cigarette because you took a drink. What you have to do is change your behavior by doing the following:

1. The first month you stop smoking temporarily stop drinking for that month or longer if you feel you need to.
2. At the end of the month choose a day to drink a Beer-it doesn't matter if you're not a Beetr drinker you must drink it but only one.
3. The day you choose to imbiibe the Beer make sure you have exercised that day and that you are tired at the end of the day.
4. Eat dinner on that blessed day-don't drink on an empty stomach. Make sure you eat a healthy meal with lean meat and vegetables.
5. Bring out the Beer at the end of the meal.
6. When you open the Beer take a small sip and swill it generously around your teeth, cheeks and gums with your mouth closed. Savor the taste then finish the Beer any way you want but remember one Beer only.
7. If an urge for a cigarette hits you eat dried fruit like ginger, papaya, pineapple, dates, raisins, and prunes until the thought vanishes.
8. Go to sleep now you've had a long day.
9. You cannot not have any more spirits for 30 days and the next taste will be a eight ounce glass of red wine-a Merlot will do and follow the same routine you did with the Beer.
10. Keep this monthly routine up increasing the amount of spirits until you resume your normal social drinking sans cigarette.

Do not sabatoge this regimen by doing the following until you have enough time under your belt where you are strong enough to imbibe without smoking:

1. Drinking or carousing with smokers- In the beginning this will trigger your desire for a cigarette and may make you smoke.
2. Drink when you're hungry-this is another trigger
3. Drink when you're angry-another trigger
4. Drink when you're stressed or emotionally off balanced-remember alcohol is not a psychiatrist
5. Keep out of bars whether they are non-smoking or not.

Quitting smoking will be one of the major decisions you make in life, but it's not necessary to quit life or the things and people you love. Modifying your behavior and giving your body and mind time to heal from this addiction will go a long way. Bottoms up.

Key Words

Trigger-a thing or circumstance which set off an urge for a cigarette

Joe Camel-Former Mascot for Camel Cigarettes.

Mink Water-Alcoholic Beverages

John Barleycorn-Alcoholic Beverages