Craving
Forum Leader
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 16,945
Welcome back LimeGreen. Coming here and talking it out is a good idea, glad you came. Check your "HALT"..signs ( Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired)...are you any of those? If so try and fix that and it can definitely help.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,095
Cravings will come - just ride them out and they go away.
Today I am 95 days sober and I had my biggest craving yesterday - it was the worse craving since I got sober.
I was watching a movie and the characters were drinking vodka martinis and feeling no pain - I really felt a strong urge to drink and missed how good it felt to let go and get a nice vodka buzz.
But I then imagined how bad I would feel about myself and the hangover I would have - I snapped out of it quickly.
Today I am 95 days sober and I had my biggest craving yesterday - it was the worse craving since I got sober.
I was watching a movie and the characters were drinking vodka martinis and feeling no pain - I really felt a strong urge to drink and missed how good it felt to let go and get a nice vodka buzz.
But I then imagined how bad I would feel about myself and the hangover I would have - I snapped out of it quickly.
Canine Welfare Advocate
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 10,962
Stay close to SR.
Remember what brought you here and the commitment you made to seek sobriety and end the madness.
Yes, they are cravings. Strong cravings. But just that, thoughts about drinking. They'll pass.
Remember what brought you here and the commitment you made to seek sobriety and end the madness.
Yes, they are cravings. Strong cravings. But just that, thoughts about drinking. They'll pass.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: CA
Posts: 1,060
My biggest triggers during my first 60/90 days was watching tv characters drinking. TV romanticizes drinking and gets our AV stirred up getting us thinking maybe we can control it this time like them. I've done ten years of experimenting with controlled drinking and it always ends the same.
Great job on one month!!! The cravings get less intense and further apart the longer you stay sober.
Great job on one month!!! The cravings get less intense and further apart the longer you stay sober.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: California
Posts: 13,036
Nicely done! I know it sounds cliche, but the whole idea of "playing the tape through," really helped with cravings. I also stocked my fridge with lots of drinks I enjoy. Arizona Zero Green Tea, sparkling water with lime or berry, and pellegrino are my current favorites.
What has been part of your recovery plan so far?
What has been part of your recovery plan so far?
Guest
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 8,674
Good job!
One thing I'd add to the HALT and playing the tape suggestion is to stop doing whatever you are doing that is triggering a craving- if it's watching a show, turn it off! Then.....Go do something else. Take a nap; go to bed early. Walk outside and call a friend or family member (even if you haven't told them, just call somebody you can talk to for a half hour or such!)....go to an AA meeting. Do laundry, cook....
Keep active and distracted especially here in the beginning. You will get stronger. Keep going!!
One thing I'd add to the HALT and playing the tape suggestion is to stop doing whatever you are doing that is triggering a craving- if it's watching a show, turn it off! Then.....Go do something else. Take a nap; go to bed early. Walk outside and call a friend or family member (even if you haven't told them, just call somebody you can talk to for a half hour or such!)....go to an AA meeting. Do laundry, cook....
Keep active and distracted especially here in the beginning. You will get stronger. Keep going!!
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,378
Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 86
Excellent for going for a month sober.
A big trigger for me is being stuck at home and feeling like I'm in a prison, the thought about how futile meeting new people is, that really triggers my cravings. Taking a walk, getting away from the trigger, and calling the samaritans has helped me get through cravings.
A big trigger for me is being stuck at home and feeling like I'm in a prison, the thought about how futile meeting new people is, that really triggers my cravings. Taking a walk, getting away from the trigger, and calling the samaritans has helped me get through cravings.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SLC, Utah
Posts: 16
Sundays somehow always end up being my danger day for cravings. I guess it's probably just because for years Sunday has been my day to really spend all day putting beers down.
I'm still not to the month mark, but I'm trying to put together a new routine for Sundays to avoid these.
I'm still not to the month mark, but I'm trying to put together a new routine for Sundays to avoid these.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 17
Thanks everyone. I was on naltrexone, which completely suppressed my cravings, but made me quite ill. I had to quit, and so now they are back.
I was lonely and tired. The coffee helped and I did some stuff around the house.
I have been admitted into a program at a local hospital that works on finding out the root of the problem. It involves a lot of work with groups and psychiatrists. I am an atheist and have a hard time with AA. I'm hopeful about this program, but it doesn't start for another month, so i spend a lot of time on here.
I was lonely and tired. The coffee helped and I did some stuff around the house.
I have been admitted into a program at a local hospital that works on finding out the root of the problem. It involves a lot of work with groups and psychiatrists. I am an atheist and have a hard time with AA. I'm hopeful about this program, but it doesn't start for another month, so i spend a lot of time on here.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 67
Originally Posted by LimeGreen 
Thanks everyone. I was on naltrexone, which completely suppressed my cravings, but made me quite ill. I had to quit, and so now they are back.
I was lonely and tired. The coffee helped and I did some stuff around the house.
I have been admitted into a program at a local hospital that works on finding out the root of the problem. It involves a lot of work with groups and psychiatrists. I am an atheist and have a hard time with AA. I'm hopeful about this program, but it doesn't start for another month, so i spend a lot of time on here.
I was lonely and tired. The coffee helped and I did some stuff around the house.
I have been admitted into a program at a local hospital that works on finding out the root of the problem. It involves a lot of work with groups and psychiatrists. I am an atheist and have a hard time with AA. I'm hopeful about this program, but it doesn't start for another month, so i spend a lot of time on here.
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