How to not buy a bottle

[ananda]

I'm fine, but just to share an unexpected thought pattern to watch for


I thought about buying a bottle before checking into the hotel..just crossed my mind...a little odd cause i could imagine it.

I've been thinking about the clean up and how i'm gonna have to go over to that big empty house to pick up the last stuff and somehow dispose of lumber, and I kept thinkig of how i could get a bottle and enjoy the time as well and not feel guilty about not being at work. I have that "metal" taste in my mouth that i use to get when i drank...i think it's related to high blood sugar and i ate waffles with syrup this mroning..sooo

Anyways...this is all troublsome to me, but if I go to a meeting I fiddle fart the day away and end up in worse shape tomarrow with getting things done...not sure what to do to change my thought pattern

Any ideas? What works for you guys when the thoughts become repetitive although only annoying..not feeling like acting on it but as i type this i realize it's stronger than i thought.

I won't drink...but it just seems to keep popoing into my mind bottle bottle bottle stop and get a bottle.

[ananda]

crp...boss has scheduled a meeting with HR today...doesn't say why...I hope i can keep focus and perspective today

[Pagekeeper]

When the thought of drinking comes, I try to think it all the way through to the consequences. From my past experience, what I have learned is that it's not the first drink or even the drunk that gets me, it's that the obsession to drink comes back and with a vengence. Remember the obsession? I'm not talking about fleeting thoughts which are easy to dismiss, I'm talking about that nagging, awful feeling of wanting to drink that is absolute torture to the alcoholic.

I also like to make a list of the things in my life I can appreciate better while sober. I used to think I drank because it made everything so much more fun, but truth is it complicated all of the things I truly love: reading a book, exercise, spending time with my loved ones, heck just driving to the store became an issue that might result in serious consequences.

I also like to think about waking up in the morning. Because every morning when I wake up I am so happy not to be hungover. I'm so happy I made the choice the day before to not pick up a drink.

Hope this helps!

:ghug

[Astro]

I bought a 6-pack on Super Bowl Sunday for the guy who hosted the party we attended, while I was looking over the selection I contemplated how many new beers there were that I hadn't tried, and how many old favorites were on the shelf. I even thought about cracking a few open and drinking them right in the store. When we got to the party he had open wine bottles and single malt scotch, some of my old favorites.

It wasn't a good place for my mind to be that day. I sipped water and played with my step-granddaughter, it was the last day I'd see her for a few months, she's living in Georgia now.

What works for me? Driving past the store and heading for a meeting. Or going home. Or calling someone in recovery. Saying no to myself and my diseased thinking works. Reading meditations works. Anything but taking a drink works. Reading and posting on SR works.

I guess what works most is remembering that last drink, and 27 years of dysfunction and nightmares. I don't ever want to go back there again.

[tanyapmc]

Hi Nands, first off Way to go on NOT getting a bottle. And I think your doing the right thing by coming here and letting everyone know what's going on with you. When I want to use or drink I go to a meeting and talk about it. I am not one of those that the obsession was lifted. Although I haven't had the obsession in about 9 months!

Talking about it has always helped me. I don't know why it works but it does. "They" say we are only as sick as our secrets. Whoever "they" is! LOL

Keep talking about it Nands. I'm proud of you girly!

[ananda]

thanks..i'm off to a meeting in a few minites...the house packing can wait and missing an hour of work even if it gets me in trouble is worth it to keep myself on board with sobriety.

spoke to my sponsor and we will deal with the temporary problem of the thoughts and dig into the causes and conditions....they are pretty obvious even to me once i actually realized where my thinking was headed...now to get into the answer and give it time....

I am not willing to make a lifetime commitment to alchohol...and that is what I believe a drink would mean for me.

Thanks again.

[Zencat]

Ahhhh yes the sneaky ole AV.

Try using the DISARM tool. Basically it about 'stopping the thoughts' and challenging them. Meditation has been useful for me. To sit still or pause for a few moments and quiet my mind and return to the present helps a lot.

[stone]

Hi nands. Glad you didn't and you won't.

[Bamboozle]

Hey, ananda.

If I can, I go for a really long walk...or play video games.

[ananda]

meditative mindsweeper (grin)

yeah..sitting with the thoughts and staying in the moment...should help.

Meeting helped too.

thanks guys i needed the support and you came through (hug)

[Dee74]

I am not willing to make a lifetime commitment to alchohol...and that is what I believe a drink would mean for me.

I think you nailed it Nands
There's no mystery about where a drink will take me.

I don't miss being there

good for you!
hugs
D

[Fubarcdn]

Originally Posted by ananda

crp...boss has scheduled a meeting with HR today...doesn't say why...I hope i can keep focus and perspective today

What happened at the meeting?
I may be sober but I am still nosy.

[ananda]

LOL

I was so stupid...Human Resources is in Edwards Hall...she had a meeting with "Pat" in "edwards"...I forgot there is an Edwards Conference Room lol

had nothing to do with me....

All is well she has decided I am still trustworthy and that it is understandable that i did such a poor job that week with the house, the med change and all that.

boy am i glad she is my boss and not some dck weed....though she can be a dck weed sometimes (grin)