Friends, I will be completing 23 days of no drinking today. This would be my longest break in last 14 years of my drinking career
. I would like to thank everyone here for your support and encouragement more so in times of need, when AV bugs me to pick up a drink.
Some random thoughts
1. The discomfort/anxiety caused by AV is super minor. Every day I ignore him, the lesser he bothers me
2. Days 4-15 were super hard for me. Again, Tuesdays and Fridays are bit harder (my usual drinking days)
3. I had a great 'Aaha' moment when i was driving to work last week. I felt somehow being able to enjoy music better, not get bugged by the Seattle traffic and less anxious in general. I realized I am 'in the moment' these days. I focus on what I am saying - the words, the enunciation, the intonation, no rambling.
4. Dreams are coming back and I feel refreshed even if I am sleeping less. (~7 hours)
5. I am consciously observing how media is glorifying alcohol. We should not get carried away by this absurd 'drink poison' ads
6. I can relax without alcohol. If I am feeling bored these days, I go for a walk, go to the gym, talk with my wife, help her with cutting veggies, teach my kids. I have much more time these days. No one needs to drink to kill time. My wife appreciates the help and she said - "you are awesome" the other day after giving me a hug!!! She is the best.
7. My good habits have increased. I do not miss brushing and flossing and Therabreath mouthwash before going to sleep. So I wake up with a fresh non alcoholic breath - a blessing
8. Few tips if AV attacks you:
a. Drink a cold can of sparkling water. The thicker mouthfeel and carbonation reduces the desire to drink
b. Note down the decision points where you can change your mind such as getting ready to buy alcohol, starting the car, entering the store and checking out. Try and change your AV mindset at any of these points. I kicked AV out right inside the Total Wine store and came back home empty handed!
c. If worst comes to worse and there are swarms of AV around you, just say - I can always drink tomorrow, not today. Do not give in. There's always a tomorrow.
d. Another way to kick AV out is to have an early dinner. Want to drink? Have a meal/heavy snack first. Mostly, your AV will be gone at the end of it. I now remember that folks who ate a lot in happy hours drank very less.
e. Ask / hint for support from friends and family. My wife saw me reading sobriety books and realized something. The other day when I
(my AV) asked her - "Can we go to Applebee's for dinner?" she realized I wanted to drink my two pints and said - "No way. I have already cooked". Earlier , she would have said yes. Let them know they have to support you - you cannot fight this monster alone.
f. Ask for permission here first before deciding to drink. Now and then, I get immense cravings but I come here first and try to get it (even though I have never gotten one yet
).
Hope some of these help you. Thank you for reading. Will be here for life.