DukeBurger

...and i really want to reward myself with a 12 pack right now...

Toronto68

That won't do any good, will it?

If you want to, what about a food reward instead?

What would be nice would be to reach a point where the following day is like a reward for the previous one. But that's too hard to describe.

ANGELINA243

Will drinking make it any better? Sometimes I have to pause and think of the reasons why I stopped drinking in the first place. What positive things happened as a result of my drinking? I can't seem to think of anything right now.

SSIL75

Tell that alcoholic voice to zip it. You know better!

DukeBurger

It's about that time of the night where the clock seems like it doesn't move, it's tough to get used to. It's still in my head that getting plastered is something to do...but I'd still be sitting here.

cakeeater

That's huge. Exactly why drinking is so pointless. You would still be there. The only difference would you would be poisoning yourself and end up starting over. All in all drinking isn't an escape, just the illusion of one. Forget the 12 pack. If there is salvation it's ahead not behind.

Hang in there Duke and stay the course. It will get better.

Toronto68

When people quit, there's some kind of notion that they deserved to have sobriety and the ability to do basic things, like decide things, do work, have their freedom back, and gradually gain little pieces of life back. These might be some of the things you were looking forward to.

Dee74

There's a techinique I push called playing the tape through to the end - push past all the happy rosy glowed nostalgia of those few drinks, and remember, honestly, what happens to you when you drink - think of all the consequences...what bought you here?

There's no 'reward' at all in alcohol in my opinion.

D

gr8ful42day

In my experience, and by what I have been learning, the 1st drink will start the process all over again. I know I can't stop after one.

You are over the toughest part, the first few days...do you really want to go through that again?

I keep reminding myself of the consequences that come from my drinking, not a one any good. Drinking never makes things better, just worse. Imagine how you will feel tomorrow if you give in after having 10 days!

YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!!

Jupiter

Indeed, I've fallen off the wagon so many times because of these false sucesses.

There really is a part of every alcoholic, a small imp that sits well within our consciousness that keeps whispering, poking and prodding until we finally capitulate.

Do yourself and your loved ones a big favor:

Don't give in to the imp.

CarolD

Drinking again as a prize for 10 days of sobriety....
.......seems like a no win idea to me.

AA has been a great way for me to learn
how to stay sober.....and enjoy life.
Out the dorr....go find AA in your area....
is my suggestion.

You don't have to ever be alone with your
destructive thoughts of drinking.

Yes....you can keep winning over alcohol
and I sure hope you will.....

Sasha4

Thats not a reward for not drinking!!! Thats a punishment that will undo all your hard work.

xx

Zencat

The real reward will be awaking on day 11, still on task with your efforts to live a new life sober.

DukeBurger

A sleepless night, but I can happily say I am on day 11. Not back to day 1 with a headache and guilt. Thanks all for helping me see it clearly.
Some very good thoughts that will get me through

viavai

And now you're on Day 12! You're this close to two weeks! Just keep it in the day, and push forward. Congratulations! You're doing it!

least

The longer you stay sober, and the more 'work' you do on your inner self, the dimmer that alkie voice will become... and after some happy sober time that voice won't be a problem anymore. I discovered somewhere between four and six months that I no longer had the desire to drink! It was just gone! And now the only drinking thoughts I get are happy thoughts that I don't have to drink anymore - I'm free!!

I'm glad you didn't give in to the temptation. It will get better, I promise. Early sobriety can be a 'bumpy road' for sure, but it does get better.