Flyersfan

I just went through like an hour of urges and I made myself stay at work... Im not really hungry... but should I try to force feed myself? All my symptoms seem to be mental now... and I just feel tired..

By the way are certain foods better then others for cravings?

M

sugarbear1

A rehab near me recently suggested pistachio nuts to chew on and that they worked on cravings. I don't have direct experience, just sharing what I heard.

Chocolate or hard candy may also help.

I prefer healthy snacks. Do an internet search for some that you enjoy!

Dee74

This is a technique I found useful

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...e-surfing.html

D

Taking5

Someone here (I cannot recall who) said she timed her cravings. Look at the clock when you get a craving and do something, anything except act on it. When you realize that you are no longer craving, see how much time has passed. It was usually very short, like 5-7 minutes.

hypochondriac

Hey again Flyersfan, I've found AVRT has been invaluable in helping with my 'cravings'. Also recognising them as conditioned responses, like Pavlov's dogs. Everytime I run into a situation where I normally would drink it hit's me. It gets less as time goes on though

SOBERINNEPA

I will, again, risk ridicule by expressing my affection for Klondike bars.

It's strenge, but I'm told common, to substitute sweets for alcohol. When I was drinking, I didn't care if I ever ate a piece of cake but I'd jump over the table for a bag of Doritos or a piece of pizza. Now, I'll eat the whole cake, if you leave me alone with it. WHat the heck. Nobody ever got in trouble for "fat driving".

Pistachios would be good. Cracking the shells will slow down your consumption and give your hands something to do (if you were the compulsive type that peeled the labels on beer bottles). And, oh, that salty goodness.

I've not had cravings but nasty, niggling thoughts. Memories at times I'd normally drink. Staying at work was, IMHO, a good strategy. Occupy that brain. Do something you wouldn't normally do when you'd be drinking.

Best wishes.

BASEjumper

I heard an explination for this. Alcohol causes excess seretonin (a feel good brain chemical) to be released, among others. When you quit drinking, your brain misses that seretonin.

Eating sweets also causes excess seretonin to be released, so it's common for newly sober people to crave candy and chocolate.

I was also warned that eating a lot of sweets in early recovery could be triggering, but that was never my experience.

winslynn

Saying a prayer like "God Help Me".

littlebluedog

In the beginning, chocolate, ice cream, cupcakes...whatever it is, it's better than the alternative. I made at least a billion( K maybe not a whole billion...) batches of sugar cookies those first few months. Still my favorite sweet treat to this day.

whatevername

For me it may sound weird but its anything that takes care and a long time to prepare.

The reasoning behind this is
a. I spend less time focusing on lame thoughts and more time focussing on the task at hand.
b. I learn something new and become a better cook
c. A feeling of accomplishment at "the finished product"

...even if it is only grating cheddar into my macaroni and cheese, adding a few spices and a whack cooked bacon

MarkstheSpot

I've heard grapes.

Sally1009

What helps me is visualising the relapse process in gory detail. Starting with the first drink, then imagining the nausea, room spinning to the final head in the toilet stage. Then summoning up the hangover, shame and regret.

stairs

Ice cream. Also drinking a lot of water helped me.

Congratulations!

2granddaughters

I found the sandwiches and coffee they serve at AA meetings really helped my cravings.

All the best.

Bob R

Flyersfan

Great articles! Thank you... I noticed that yesterday


and to the person that said time your cravings... thats interesting.... mine yesterday were waves of 15 minutes at least ... but I will time them when they happen. Usually happens in the late afternoon for me

Flyersfan

Coffee makes my cravings 50 times worse.. any stimulants do... I dont know why

sugarbear1

We don't have sandwiches at our meetings.

Easy Peanut butter cookies:

1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup peanut butter

Mix well, form into balls, flatten, if you want to. Cold dough works best, so you can refrigerate, if you want to. Bake 10-12 minutes at 350. Be careful, you might eat the whole batch in one sitting!

winslynn

You had better know the nature of the disease and how it's going to come at you.Start reading the big book of AA and attending meetings.
There is no magic food that's going to prevent those strange mental blank spots when a drink looks irresistible.This alcoholism is way stronger than any defense you can put up against it,your help must come from a Higher Power.

MysteriousGrl

I had major cravings today, so bad that the fast majority of the day I was constantly battling with the voices in my head. I even went so far as to get in my car, drive to the store, but at the last minute I reminded myself of how I would feel tomorrow. Not only that but the extra calorie intake. As hard as it was for me I turned the car around and went home I'm too tired to go to the gym tonight but I know I will have a way better chance of going tomorrow if I dont drink tonight. Exercise seems to help me. It's also a natural seretonin release.

Stay strong!

winslynn

I was and still am a gym rat for the last 30 years.It doesn't keep you from drinking.