CarolD

I've noticed a lot of people talking about cravings and
I want to share with you how I overcame them...


My doctor said I did not require meds for de toxing...but agreed that
I could follow a healthy eating plan for hypoglycemia instead.
I used the one in 'Under The Influence" by milam and Ketcham.
I consider this helped with cravings.

I re connected with God....very comforting for me....I prayed often...still do..

I also atended AA daily...walked often....cut out caffeine...
.quit hanging out in bars and with drinkers..
instead I .made new friends in AA who shared my new goals.

I timed my cravings....they lasted 5 to 7 minutes in duraation at their
and strongest. and longest. Not too difficult to bear.
I took action...music....danced around the room..a buble bath......
drank a lot of water..prayed..walked ..called a sober friende

They quickly lessened in both time and intensity...
had banished bythe end of my 2nd month of AA recovery
.never have returned.

Shared with the hope that some of y'all will use any and all
of my expereince to continue or find your way in to recovery.

Yes....you too can win over alcohol....

F355

Hi Carol ty for your post it's helpful to me as I am at 125 days and have been having really strong cravings the past couple of days now. It is encouraging to know that others have had these urges well into sobriety and kept at it. I am planning to keep at it too.

Sudz No More

Thank You Carol. The psychological cravings still bother me almost daily but I am trying new things to get by them. Saying that you "took action" resonates with me, taking action has been a top priority for me this time around. I had a trigger hit me last night but I took action immediately. I rounded up the Dogs and took them around the block and the cravings went away.

David 1

Excellent post Carol. I had another motivator, albeit an extrinsic motivator; if I drank again I would lose my family. Just like you, I connected with my higher power, went to outpatient therapy and attended AA meetings. Almost nine years later, I am still sober and choose to not drink each day.

Dave

Ash007

Lovely post Carol1 Glad to hear things are going well for you. You are AMAZING xxx

sugarbear1

Thanks, Carol!

I've had thoughts, but usually they are interrupted with "no way!" (example: "It's such a beautiful day, I'd love to have a b...., NO WAY!"), but my cravings literally vanished after I worked through the 12 steps the first time. Maybe I was just done. I had had enough.

Chocolate, pistachios, ice cream, something that doesn't really "go" with drinking. Journaling, exercising or walking also help. I also cleaned my bathroom or kitchen, too busy to have anything in my hand, and that helped me to feel productive and then happier. I could also admire my hard work.

Love & hugs,

bbthumper

Great post, carol. The other thing that helped for me was learning what the term craving means as it is referred to in the Big Book. Not everyone buys into the idea that alcoholics have an allergy to alcohol, but based on the medical studies supporting that idea, I buy it 100%. When the Big Book uses the word crraving, it refers to the manifestation of the allergy. When alcohol hits my system this allergy is triggered and results in a craving that I cannot satisfy. In that sense I cannot have a craving unless I first take a drink. Any desire to drink while sober is a thought, part of my mental obsession. Still damn near impossible to deal with on my own, but knowing the difference helped me out a lot when I wasbrand new in recovery.

God bless y'all!

RevivingOphelia

Banished by the end of the second month...wow, hope to get there one day!

Thanks so much for sharing, Carol!

gaffo

I've said this here before but when I'm having a craving I remember how much more painful a hangover is...

instant

It seems clear people use the word craving to mean different things.

There is no doubt that the longer you don't drink the less dependant on alcohol you become as long as you work.

MetalChick

Carol, I also time the cravings. They usually only last about 10 minutes and I mainly get them when I am board or anxious or really mad and upset. I know the cravings will pass, and that helps a lot. I think in time I will have less frequent cravings. HALT also works well for me. I also changed my routine so I am not in that "same ole same ole" mode.

Flyersfan

Hey thanks for the post.. you think caffeine is a trigger too? I think anything more then a cup a day is too.. I had three cups today ... but I feel I need it to concentrate on these 9 hours a day in front of a computer.

CarolD

Flyersfan...
I've never been a coffee drinker...Coca Cola was my bug-a-boo..
I found caffeine made me hyper/jittery and I wanted calm...

Perhaps it was because my job kept me physically active?
I'm sure you will continue to explore beneficial things..

CarolD

To members who may not know about HALT....thanks MC......

please be aware and don't allow yourself to be overly
Hungry..Angry..Lonly...Tired

Flyersfan

Thanks for the input... someone told me Sugar in cola helps with cravings? But yes when I drink too much caffeine I want calmness too and booze pops in my head..

So Halt.. So I should never be hungry angry lonley or tired but how do I fix tired?

too.tall

I have not previously made the caffeine/alcohol connection. Makes senses, thanks.

CarolD

The idea is to not get too far out of balance ..as in overly tired.
I find a short nap works well for me...or anything relaxing such as
showers --quick walk...bubble bath ..a bit of reading.

Please experiment and see what re-charges you FF...

CarolD

too.tall....Welcome to our recovery community...

SoulKat

Thank you Carol! I found your post to be helpful and inspiring. I have been fighting cravings and your words of wisdom were nice to read today. Thanks again!