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Hit with a craving

Old 04-09-2008, 06:11 PM
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Hit with a craving

I just got hit with a monster craving for a beer while fixing dinner. Had to quickly run upstairs and post this. I've got 17 days - I flat out refuse to give that up by caving to a five minute craving. Aahhhh, I feel better already. Thanks for being here!
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Old 04-09-2008, 06:14 PM
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Go brush your teeth and drink cold water.

Way to go on your sober time
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Old 04-09-2008, 06:14 PM
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Originally Posted by hope45 View Post
I've got 17 days - I flat out refuse to give that up by caving to a five minute craving. Aahhhh, I feel better already. Thanks for being here!

<a href="http://www.sobercomments.com/"><img src="http://www.sobercomments.com/images/jftrefuse.jpg"</a>
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Old 04-09-2008, 06:17 PM
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Good for you for getting through this Hope!
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Old 04-09-2008, 06:22 PM
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Way to go!! We can do this! Strength in numbers!:ghug2
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Old 04-09-2008, 06:31 PM
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Thanks all. That toothbrushing and cold water idea is a good one!
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Old 04-09-2008, 06:40 PM
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I was a beer drinker, so boy do I sympathize on this one. Two things that help me: cheese and/or sparkling water. I have no idea why cheese works (dahur, cheesehead here!), but a good sharp cheddar helps with beer cravings for me, and a can of sparkling water is a good sensory substitute.
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Old 04-09-2008, 06:59 PM
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Hope I was sharing what worked for me

I think it requires action to overcome cravings.
Walking...Dancing around the room...Ice Cream.

then settle down ..say a Thank You
prayer and ask for peace of miind.

Blessings
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Old 04-09-2008, 08:12 PM
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Hey Hope

You know what you did by not drinking?

You took just a wee bit of that power that the alcohol has over you away.

I discovered something that worked for me when I was having a craving that, for me, was my cheese and sparkling water, or brushing my teeth, ect.

I visualize my disease as greenish, black blob. When I'd be having a craving, I would tell myself over and over again that once I got through this craving, my disease lost just a bit of it's strength, the color would fade slightly too. Kinda like when you're watching a balloon slowly deflate.

After the craving passed, I felt a sense of triumph. I felt strong! I could walk with my head held high and a smile on my face knowing that I am a little stronger for getting through it without giving in.

Once again, way to go!

:ghug

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Old 04-09-2008, 09:44 PM
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Wink

Hang in there, just Reading your post, about your craving man I ain't going to lie man my mouth all of sudden felt thirsty (I Rebuke the devil in Jesus name)and today I made 3 months, God help us listen when ever you get those cravings, what ever you do don't act on it, the Devil is a Liar and his Feet stink, this to Shall pass thats the disease talking its not us just remember that God Bless. .
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Old 04-09-2008, 10:14 PM
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Originally Posted by tellus View Post
I was a beer drinker, so boy do I sympathize on this one. Two things that help me: cheese and/or sparkling water. I have no idea why cheese works (dahur, cheesehead here!), but a good sharp cheddar helps with beer cravings for me, and a can of sparkling water is a good sensory substitute.
Same i was a lover of beer.... definately find sensory subsititute in sparkling soda A GREAT HELP.
sugar for me helps a lil too. having a bowl of comfort food every now n then has seen me thru 11days... not gona make it a habit coz i like to eat healthy.
a jar of assorted lollies (or a piece of choc for chocolate lovers) on hand settles my crave episodes for alcohol temporarally.
even tho my hips suffer for it.... better choice than a beer n a messed up head.
my best wishes this passes soon:ghug3
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Old 04-10-2008, 12:47 AM
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Don't ever give up. Ever!!!!
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Old 04-10-2008, 02:09 AM
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just back to topic of cravings, i found useful info in the alcoholism forum in a thread titled
*Medication? Need to Reduce Craving.
in my earlier post, my idea of temporary reducing cravings with a sweet treat on hand may not be so helpful... reading in this other thread its mentioned... sugar may increase cravings.
anyone with info about sugar n cravings would be helpful...

so sure diet and medications come into factor with these cravings...

Hope45 its worth taking a look at this thread... i'm unsure how to do the direct link thingy...
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...e-craving.html
(fingers crossed i got it right)

Anyways the info in that forum has a bit to do with meds but myself prefering alternative methods esp with anxiety/depresssion which leads to cravings for alcohol's quick fix.
I've used meds short term for home detox along with counselling, isolated myself from AA meetings for a week but stayed sober.
recommended by my Dr i've started anti-depressants. personally i've got my reservations with using these types of meds. this is a lil off topic and mentioned in my threads n previous posts. so i leave it there.

Anyway point being
i don't want be dependant on any substance. choices i have to get my self well(@day12desire is there, then baulking scared of changes of what lies ahead)

best advice from people in recovery here @SR or AA, my Dr and counsellor....
involving mostly with changing old habits n ways of thinking in pracitcal ways without medications or any substances.

*exercising/get out of the house (other than the basic obligation to do errands etc), even if its just a walk round the block with a cig in hand... something to bring u calm.
at least the sunshine will do u good. i heard for basic wellbeing we need at least 10mins sunshine a day, more is better but 10mins vs none at all.

*choose a recovery program, if it be AA, NA, counselling, psychologist etc. as much support as u need. this may be a helpful alternative

* all the other methods.... deep breathing, meditation, warm baths/cold showers, taking up a hobby, music etc. think we may be lookin at another thread (or starting one)

"changing old habits n ways of thinking in pracitcal ways without medications or any other substances."

Well that was my rant, new to all this, i'm seekin the same answers/help/support....
SR is a blessing with all those who share.. thanks Hope45.:ghug
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Old 04-10-2008, 10:49 AM
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Early recovery, especially the first month was very difficult for me...I literally cried through several cravings...Coming to Sr and AA definately helped me get through the tough times...

However, one thing I found was by resisting the temptation I was stronger for the next...

Good for you, and keep it up...You can do this...:ghug
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Old 04-10-2008, 10:57 AM
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When my husband walks in the door from work and sees me dancing around the kitchen, hunk of cheese (wisconson cheddah of course) in one hand, toothbrush in the other, shadow boxing with a giant green blob, he's going to think I've lost it! I'll tell him y'all made me do it.

But seriously, thank you all for the great ideas. Serenity, I love the visual of the green blob. I think I'm going to use that, except in my head it's a monster with sharp teeth and every time I don't drink, those teeth are going to start crumbling and falling out one by one.
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Old 04-11-2008, 02:28 AM
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Originally Posted by hope45 View Post
When my husband walks in the door from work and sees me dancing around the kitchen, hunk of cheese (wisconson cheddah of course) in one hand, toothbrush in the other, shadow boxing with a giant green blob, he's going to think I've lost it! I'll tell him y'all made me do it.
Just visualizing now. :rof hehe
its a rough ride, hang in there... we got your back g/f.

missymae737 put it nicely... one thing I found was by resisting the temptation I was stronger for the next...

its a challenge, you can do it and find positive in your strength to see u thru (even if it takes knockin a few teeth outta that blob).
i believe in you.... you've made it so far.:ghug3
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Old 04-11-2008, 04:32 AM
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When I have even the slightest craving for alcohol I remind myself that I've gone almost two weeks without it and I can go longer. I'm not going to ruin my thirteen days sober on a whim.:bounce
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Old 04-11-2008, 04:54 AM
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Good job Hope, in early sobriety it can reach a point of simply one minute at a time to get by!!!

Teeth brushing, dancing, posting on SR, going to AA, eating cheese, exercise!!! Stay busy, and most important of all, keeping in mind that the Devil has stinky feet and unless you really want to smell them again don't drink!!! All good ways to battle cravings!!!
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Old 04-11-2008, 08:37 AM
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Yep - I didn't know about the stinky feet - can't stand 'em. Never a dull moment around here
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