downtown3

so much of my day revolved around drinking and my favorite activities...cooking computer games etc. The question is, without eliminating those fun activities, how do I break this association and get back to enjoying these things sober? Is it as simple as will power? Or is their something some of you do to retrain your mind? Thanks

Stubborn1

Time will help you brain. Take baby steps and do small activities. I know where you're coming from. It took time for me to. I remember going bowling and thinking "how do you do this without beer" or putt putt golfing..........years later (not many) I found I could go to a bar and NOT drink. I just went to my first concert after a few years of not drinking and I didn't drink and I enjoyed the concert. Of course I felt so sorry for the people around me who were plastered. It felt good to know I still looked good. I spoke without a slur and I woke up the next day remembering everything.
So little by little try some old activities that are not huge triggers. It does get easier and before you know it you won't even think about getting high.

ufe

I found for me that the negatives (many,many) far outweighed the tiny positives that a couple of beers might "add" to the situation.

I actually enjoy now remembering what conversations I had at a party, waking up & going for a run/surf, and not making an a$$ of myself.

Nobrainer for me.....

least

It just takes time, that's all. YOur brain will relearn how to enjoy things without drinking. One day at a time will get you there.

coffeenut

I do the same things I used to do. Now, I just remember them.

Take is slow. Being sober ROCKS!

CarolD

Welcome.....

I did with the AA Steps.
I have been restored to sanity.

It's an awesome adventure for sober living.

Yes! you too can recover.

CarolD

ufe...
Welcome!

lostbutterfly

AA is retraining my brain! And it does heal with time.

nolawench

Time and taking the steps, absolutely.

That said, twist those old favorite activities... Try cooking a different style, if you were cooking french, try Thai or medeterannian, try a completely different game, etc...

So glad you're here

Tryingto

Yeh I had a tv show (which I like) that was my trigger. Haven't watched it in 7 days. Actually haven't done anything but work and appointments in 7 days, but hopefully time will improve all.

Rusty Zipper

dt3 with the help of a recovery program that your comfortable with...

go'n it alone is dangerous...

A.A. is working for me...

welcome aboard dt3

Pelican

When I need to truly embrace a concept (sobriety) I need to gather as much information as I can.

I needed the knowledge of how alcohol was adversely affecting my body and mind in order to resist the temptation to have a drink. Knowledge is power.

Others have already suggested some ways to help you retrain your brain.

I like to cook. I also liked to cook with wine. It was always important to add a little wine to the food and a little more to the cook! I'm excercising my brain and finding different ways to cook some of my favorite dishes, without wine. And this cook has learned to have something non-alcoholic already poured and waiting before beginning to put a meal together.

KindBird

Brain training is a great way to think of it. I am new (32 days) but have been reading and processing this question of how to retrain the brain on this stuff for years (have had a number of failed attempts to quit drinking before what is now feeling like a successful one). Two things I can recommend - the LifeRing program (and their literature and website) really are focused on brain retraining. A great book on change that really takes you through "brain retraining" in a very compassionate way that I recommend is "Changing for Good".

What has helped me a lot in this recent attempt to quit is being really open with my husband about my problem and getting his support, using this forum and also talking with a good friend about how my sobriety is progressing. Like Pelican I was a wine drinker and would do the "cooking with wine" thing which was not what most people think of as "cooking with wine" if you know what I mean..

Being on this forum and posting is keeping me open and honest and really gives support.

Keep posting..

downtown3

thanks for the support i am glad to be here :bounce