legaleagle

I have 83 days today but for the last couple of days have really been finding myself wanting to drink. I've had toughts over the last 80 days but haven't had this strong of an urge to drink since around day 30 (which was also memorial day weekend). I've been exercising, reading, laundry, grocery shopping, etc and I take my mind off drinking for awhile but then go right back to the toughts.

I have tried several aa meetings but its not for me so calling a sponsor isn't an option. Just wondering if I'm. Alone here? And if not what do you do when you. Get these thoughts/cravings??

Also- loaded question here - I see an addictions counselor as part of my aftercae from iop. I told him about my cravings and how I was concerned and what does he do but schedules my next appointment for 3 weeks (I had been going weekly). I think this seems weird and am considering not going back because I feel like his is the one time I need him and he isn't making time for me, any thoughts?

Thanks everyone for reading! I don't post a whole lot but I read sr everyday and it has really helped me make it to 83 days!

LexieCat

If I were you, I'd go to a meeting, anyway. Even if AA "isn't for you" just going and listening and maybe talking to folks might help--it certainly beats sitting around fighting a craving. Take what you like, and leave the rest. It just might help get you to day 84.

SereniTee

I agree with Lexie, even being around other people who can empathise could be massively helpful

Hope you get through it.

CarolD

LL.....

Here is a good link ...please read

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

Did your counselor give you a reason?
Is he going away for vacation?
That would peeve me too...if there was no reason.

Please don't give into the mental obcession.
You know it's no longer a physical need.

pongo

Congrats on the 83 days, and here's to 84! Your post has an urgent and seeking tone that to me qualifies this as an emergency. Good for you to identify the risk of relapse and to ask for help to get past it.

The urges and thoughts that you are having are your ENEMY. Do not give them any footing in your mind. You cannot, should not and will not drink. It is not possible that after 83 days you are better, stronger and able to handle drinking. There is no situation in your life that could possibly justify drinking or that will in any way be made better by drinking. Any kind of thought that leads you to drink is WRONG.

When one of these thoughts comes up or when you have a craving, do not try to argue with it. Do not try to rationalize your decision not to drink. Just think to yourself, "STOP!" and then think of something you are grateful for in your sobriety, think of how good you feel to be sober, encourage yourself for what a great job you are doing.

The things you are doing to distract yourself are great. Keep at it. Don't give up. I think that your counselor did not fully appreciate the seriousness of your cravings. Call him on Monday and ask to be seen sooner than three weeks. If you are turned down, (and I can't imagine you would be but I don't know what iop is,) ask to speak to another counselor instead.

I don't know your spiritual belief, but I think that all cravings and thoughts to drink are temptations to sin. It is a test of your decision, your faith and your strength of will. It is a battle you can and will win.

Boleo

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ifference.html

SASA

Hi, as you said, I had this urge at day30. Believe me if you give in now, you will hate you for it tomorrow. You can beat this. Go exercise anohter round, go for a walk, do whatever it takes. If you exercise and afterwards still feel like drinking, go exercise again until you are to tired to think. Worked for me.

legaleagle

Thanks everyone! Sasa - I have already run about 6 miles today in 95 degree weather so I am pretty dead. And I think it has done the trick.

Carol - thanks for the link. I learned about paws during treatment but most of he things in that article I had never heard of.

Lexie & sereni - I didn't go to a meeting today but I think I'm going to give them another honest try.

And pongo - thanks for your post. Makes perfect sense and was what I needed to hear.

As for the therapist - he said he thinks I just don't need to see him weekly. I think I will call Monday to see about getting in sooner.


Thanks everyone!! Enjoy the weekend!

artsoul

Hey - I'm at 85 days (just went back and counted), and can tell you that I had a really bad stretch just about 1 1/2 weeks ago, so don't feel alone because you're definitely not. And it DID pass. I was getting worried too, especially after it didn't seem to be gone quickly like the other times I'd had urges. I just kept coming to SR and reading, so that at least my brain was totally convicted, even if my feelings were all over the place.

I also had a few bad days around 30 and 60 days - and I'm about convinced that there really is something about reaching certain milestones.....?!?! Keep hanging in there. I know that for me, every time I get through another bad period, things seem to get even better. Maybe that's life (?) Anyway, wish I could "embrace" those feelings a little more, but we're still just relearning in a way.........

wren

I'm at roughly the same place as you all... over 90 days. And I've been having the urge to drink more strongly recently too.
I've had to put more time and thought into my recovery and reach out to people when I need them in order to not relapse.

Keep at it, LegalEagle

LexieCat

You know, as you folks get right around 90 days, that's also an excellent time to start putting some effort into connecting with, and reaching out to, newcomers. Whether you call it "Step 12" or just plain giving back in gratitude for the help you've received, it's a tried-and-true way of helping to keep yourself sober!

Ainslie

Hey there

I have trouble around milestones and so do a few others I know....

Like others have said - it doesnt have to be a meeting - I dont go to AA but I still have people I call and consider life coaches - some have had problems with addiction - some havent. Most people have desperately loved something that wasnt good for them so in a way i find a way to relate most people to my problems! I used to often write "this too shall pass" on my hand...that simple statement was helpful with cravings.

My first thought about your counsellor was perhaps he misheard you? I think its a fine idea to call him Monday and try and get in sooner - or maybe investigate other counsellors in your are if there are any?

Sudz No More

Legal, you are not alone. I starting trying sobriety back in December 2009 and had a two week relapse back in May. I still get thoughts of drinking every day but it does seem to be getting a bit muffled these days. I guess we just need to hope for less thoughts of drinking as we go further.

LaFemme

Be careful running in this heat! I am in MD with my family and I won't even go outside!

Good luck, I would be angry at my counselor as well. You've made it this far, keep going!