SizzleChest

Hello Everyone -

I am currently living in China, and there aren't many meetings in my area to speak of. So, i found this website and, so far, it has helped me stay sober for 8 days. This is pretty good for me. My typical cycle is to party all weekend and then recover for three days, just in time to start again Thursday or Friday. I have lost alot: things, relationships, reputation, peace of mind, etc. and I just dont want to do it anymore.

I am starting to get cravings again, early, because I didn't drink this weekend. I am just looking for any guidance/techniques to stave them off and to make due with what I have available.

Thanks

CarolD

This is what I did....
from my files. Hope you find it useful

I think there are 2 types of cravings
perhaps a mixture?

One type is more a habit than physical.

You drive home and your car steers into your
favorite bar or package store.
You come home tired...sit in "your: chair and
want the usual comfort of a glass/can in hand.
To sleeep better...toss down a drink.

These can be avoided by changeing your routine

Drive a different route
Change the furniture around..sit in a different place.
Fix a glass of anything non alcoholic.

If you drink booze from a can...use a glass
If you did drink from a glass...use a mug

I did time my cravings in early sobriety.
Mine were 5 to 7 minutes in duration.
seemed forever...but that was false.

I took action....drank cold watter ...brushed my teeth
went for a walk...danced around the room...ate Lifesavers

I was also taking a multi vitamin and a B 12,
I was following an eating plan for hypoglycemia

Within 2 weeks they lessened immensley... in both
intensity and duration By 2 months they vanished

Welcome to our recovery comunity.....

I had to want to stay sober
more than I wanted to drink.
Hope you do too...

Rev

Welcome. (And great screen name BTW!)

Rev

Dee74

Welcome to SR SizzleChest
Carol's pretty much nailed it for me LOL

Hope to see you around some more
D

barb dwyer

Hi SizzleChest -

Welcome!!!

Zowie!!! China... truly a world away from Montana ... LOL!

Here's some things *I* did in early recovery
that I hope will help you -

I thought of it in relationship to all my senses... so forgive how it's laid out -

AUDIO

It was a tremendous help for me to play 'Speaker tapes' durning my early recovery -
to hear the voices as I went to sleep
and as I woke up helped keep me rooted in AA
and kept every aspect of my life at the time
coming from a place of sobriety.
Maybe visit AA.org to see what's available that you can download and play?

VISUAL

I drove to work a LONG way around 'bar alley' to get to my new non-alcohol job.
I got rid of EVERRYTHING that reminded me of bars.
(I'd been a bartender close to 10 yrs.)


The biggest thing is to remember

even if you have to write it on the palm of your hand -

THIS TOO SHALL PASS.

When the obsession hits -
it will pass
if you only be still for a bit
and congratulate yourself on not drinking.

Get up and clean
brush your teeth
light some incense
pop a piece of candy
do a puszzle

but trust yourself that THE FEELING WILL PASS.

You never have to go through this again.

Hevyn

Welcome Sizzle - I'd just like to add that SR helped me get sober over 2 yrs. ago and I never looked back. Finding out I had so many who understood me was a huge relief and comfort.

If you stop now you can repair the things you've damaged & have hope in your life again. I once partied like you, & sobered up for a few days - but because this is a progressive disease, I never drew a sober breath in the end. I eventually needed it in my system 24/7 or I'd shake and be sick. You never have to reach that point. I'm so glad you're looking for a better life for yourself.

least

Welcome to SR! I've found so much support and good information here. I hope we can help you too. :ghug3