I used to bring my own treat to family gatherings, often fruit and cream. And I would have decaf coffee while everyone else was having regular coffee. Now it doesn't bother me at all to watch everyone else have dessert and coffee, but it really helped early in steps 6/7. I always planned ahead.

So when you get back to step 6, now that you know what can happen, you can figure out ahead of time how you can support yourself. This wasn't a failure, it was a learning experience.
Allison

: Your words are very encouraging.
: Thank you.
: I will get up, and start again.
: I sure hope I remember this the next
: time I am tempted. And somehow be
: able to separate the
: "cravings" (sugar vs.
: love and safety) and realize I can
: enjoy the warmth of family without
: the sugar. Its hard. It seems like
: so many of my warm and loving
: memories with family have sugar
: and coffee in them. Its sobering
: really. Even the smell and taste
: of coffee feels "safe"
: to me. I know its silly really.
: Coffee doesn't make one safe. But
: it makes me feel the safety of
: "home." That sense of
: home that really is people (my
: grandparents) that are now gone.
: It feels like its all back within
: my grasp in a cup of coffee and a
: piece of pie. I guess the chemical
: AND emotional stuff can make this
: process difficult. Somehow it
: helps to admit it.
: Lucy