what i do is just sit somewhere and focus on my breath. i don't "try to do" anything more than that. I just focus on my breath and that helps center me. i think its because when i do that i'm staying in my body rather than my head where all the crazy stuff is. when i feel the pull of the bottle or any other of the gazillion thoughts zipping through my brain, i try not to run or resist. i give them my full attention. this makes it less intense and urgent--kind of like when angry people calm down once they've said their piece and been heard. when i freak, run, or resist, the voices get louder.
i've also done a "mindfulness" thing. when i'm in a really funky place, i state in my mind or out loud what i'm physically doing: "I'm washing this dish; i'm walking down the hall to get my coat; i'm putting the dog's collar on..." i find that this makes being alive more bearable in the hard times. keeps me present and in my body where i am living right now, rather than in the spin zone of my mind.
hope this helps.
zorah