TrySober

I have a question for those with more time sober than myself. Sober 7 days and proud of that. How long before you felt leveled out for lack of a better way to put it. That is not having the big ups and downs. I let my dog outside and I see my neighbor having some family members over and I say hi from across the yard. Nice neighbor who I have shared a beer with before. Not a drunk buddy just my neighbor who I have probably shared six beers with my entire time living here(6 years). All of a sudden I just feel this wave of wanting a beer. All the thoughts I have seen others post. I'm fine. I'm not an alcoholic. I can have a few beers and watch basketball. Just surprised me. I am not going to drink. Doing something so innocent as letting the dog out and being hit with such a craving. Any insight appreciated.

least

I'm sober now for over 100 days and my body and mind are beginning to function normally. The ups and downs of early sobriety can be a rough road and you must just get thru it the best you can. It takes time to get back to normal, that's all. Give it time. You'll 'level out' eventually.

Congrats on your sober week.

DayWalker

I'm about 9-10 weeks sober right now and I still have some ups&downs but in the past couple weeks they are getting easier to deal with. Even something as simple as a certain song on the radio or something as simple as that will still get my mind to thinking, but lately it hasn't been those white knuckle thoughts anymore. More of just a thought and then pushed out of my head within a few minutes by reality taking back over thankfully.

Even today I've had a few quick moments of thoughts because my family went out of town again for the day and I'm alone all day. It's a Saturday, I'm alone, it's raining out..normally that would be a time for me to drink. But every time I have had those quick thoughts today I simply tell myself "You know who/what you are, don't be stupid" and go back to doing things I need to get done today.

Hang in there, it will get better with each passing day.

Steve

flutter

Several months for me, by 6 months I was in a really good place, in another 6 even better, and so on.

CarolD

I noticed a big improvement in my mental obcession
around 2 weeks in. By the end of 2 months
I felt back in balance physically and mentally....

I was also being very active about mooving forward.

I timed my cravings...they lasted 5 to 7 minutes.
Took action...walked...drank cold water...ate a Lifesaver
brushed my teeth...danced around the room.

And.....I also ....did ...
Daily contact with God and AA meetings.
A multi vitamin + a B complex
Followed an eating plan for hypoglycemia.

Here is a link I found....after I was already contently AA sober
You may not be aware of this.

Post Acute Withdrawl - Relapse Prevention Specialists - TLC The Living Center

hope this helps....

DonewithDrink

Good for you 7 days. Here is what you said "I am not going to drink".

I don't know how many times I said that getting sober. Day 8 tomorrow!

Each day will be hard but you can do it. Be determined - there is nothing more important than for you than getting sober! Nothing!

hughs dad

Trysober, I'm 15 days in and I'm still having ups and downs. AA helps me. I find that I am able to listen to people say things that could easily come out of my mouth. It's nice to know that others out there share my issues and have found a way to put them to rest. Hang in there!!!

Omega10

I find that each time when I am in a situation for the first time where I used to drink, I get the cravings. For example:
beautiful day+boss let us go early = sit on a patio and have a drink

I talk myself through the cravings and manage to make it through to the other side. As time goes on it takes less time and energy to have to talk myself through. For me, it could take up to a year to get to a point where I am not arguing in my head anymore.

What helps the most is the advice I got on this site. "All you have to do is avoid the first drink", and "Just live in the moment. Don't worry about tomorrow, as it will take care of itself when it gets here".

Stay strong! Peace, health, and happiness to you!