FeenixxRising

What awuh1 said. Think of what happens after you take the first drink. Play it through in your mind's eye. Really try to envision where that first drink will take you. If you're anything like me, that first drink takes me to a place where I drink and drink and drink and have absolutely no control over what I'll do or say. It had become a truly evil realm to inhabit.

I also do the opposite, I envision what it will be like to sleep sober, and to wake up sober and refreshed. I try to really "feel" what it's like to wake up proud of myself for not drinking, and "feel" what it's like to not wake up with the guilt, remorse, and downright disgust of having given in to my urges.

The mind can be very powerful if you can really direct its focus when necessary.

And keep posting and reading here, it will help.

adelaine041

The best activity that you can do to divert your thoughts to do what you love. You've said you're a musician so why not spend creating inspiring music. And if others hear your music and is going the same situation as what you are experiencing now they will be inspired and might also quit their bad habit.

gaffo

It has been the struggle of a life time but I have managed to take drinking out of my reward cycle. For a while I substituted other things like soft drinks and candy but now I don't need to. I tossed the reward cycle all together. I'm here in the moment trying to be the best person that I can.

Leongecko

Hi Boleo, thats a good question. I did have a plan of sorts, I read the Allen Carr book Easy way to stop drinking, which is curtrently being discussed on this site in another thread. I threw myself into the book and getting close to the end, like a lot of people I realised that there was no coming back once I finished the book, so i began to "forget " to read it, or read one line then go to bed. Eventually I finished it, and went to the boozer and had "one last drink" it was a double scotch. I looked at it, talked to it (in broad daylight mind) and necked it. I was done. I did not want to drink anymore. I expected lots of side effects, which I did get, but I was prepared, I drank lots of water and herbal tea (which I like) I became obsessed with cooking, I began running off all the excess energy, I committed myself financially and mentally to going to the recording studio. After the first week of just feeling like I was coming down off ecstacy, I began to feel better. I went out with my friends while they drank, it didnt bother me, it bothered them a bit I think. I went to weddings (a total stranger asked me why I wasnt drinking, I said I didnt drink, he said really loudly in front of the whole table "what not at all?! are you a weirdo or something its a wedding?" I said "no, im an alcoholic" and he shut up. I felt very proud of that moment. This lasted 14 months, not a single drop.
Anyway before I use up all the websites space, yes I prepared, yes I knew it wasnt going to be easy but I did it. The problem I suspect is simple. I became complacent, and wanted to be a bad boy, take a chance, roll the dice, dance with the devil if you like any of those.
And I lost. I forgot why I gave up in the first place because I was in such control of my life. I gambled on a game that I now know I can never win.
I am drinking today, but I am preparing for a stop, I hope my final one.
Thanks so much for all your replies, I realise that my initial question "how do you avoid the first drink" is different for everyone and its really meant a lot to a first time poster.

Johno1967

In the days when I knew I had a problem but did not want to completely give up drinking something like this would have worked. OP has to decide whether he wants to cut down or quit.
Funny how drunks used to offend me when I was an active alcoholic "I'm not like them, I'm not a loser bum etc", utter contempt. Now I know I was no different and probably worse due to my arrogance, resentment and lying. I feel compassion when I see a suffering alcoholic now.
Your suggestion is a good one as it works most of the time for you. Total abstinence works 100% of the time for me.

Jsober

Relating to other alcoholics in AA works for me. I believe in abstinance as the only recovery for an alcoholic. It's the first drink that would get me drunk. Not every time but sooner or later the first one would get me in trouble.

DarkDays

Abstinence 100% is the only way. Anything else keeps you in the obsession/ addiction hell cage.

Good luck, look forward to seeing you progress.

Good things await

Leongecko

I have not as yet attended an AA meeting. I have done some research, there is a meeting tonight not far from me. I am wary of going, for various reasons, I'm scared that I will have to say something, worried I will see someone I know, and I suppose in a way it makes it all the more real, my addiction.

know what I mean?

lorelei

Hey leon, I know what you mean, you'll have to acknowledge its a real problem, its so hard, but the sooner you deal with it the better, and you can confront it head on, don't put it off too long, we are all in this with you, cyber hug xx

llastchance8

You summed it up very well Leon...Taking a chance and rolling a dice is a good analogy.. Alcohol is such an evil that it lets us win initially. We are able to get away for rolling the dice, when we relapse.. But it is alaways a loosing battle.. Like a rigged Casino... Thank you sharing for your experience and thoughts.

Oldselfagain

Leon don't worry about seeing someone you know at an AA meeting. I was apprehensive for the same reason. You probably won't see someone you know, but if you do just remember they're in the same boat as you.