Aurora80

I'm just realizing how many little things trigger the urge to drink. Wow! So many! Little things like watching Boardwalk Empire or other people's facebook statuses.

Sigh.

I can do this.

Dee74

You definitely can do this Aurora - it gets easier

D

Aurora80

I'm counting on it getting easier. On being able to say "just for today" rather than "just for this moment"

glitterfairy

In the beginning you do notice the little triggers, then it seems they all run together until just being awake is a trigger.
I've been sober for 1 1/2 yrs and found that it does get easier with time. Hang in there! One second, one minute, one day at a time!
Take care!

Toronto68

I think it starts with the right attitude and soon with the ability and willingess to recognize how these little things would have instigated a reaction, which would fuel an emotion, etc etc, and which would keep the hamster running. I know that I used to drink whether happy, sad or indifferent and gave myself the illusion of dealing with life through the drinking. (But there's a familiar phrase that goes "If you didn't feel, you didn't deal.") So we spend a long time feeding a justification machine during our drinking time. When we lift ourselves out of that pile of mess, we see all the various things that could have been fuel for the justification - on top of the compulsion to drink anyway. But the little things, in all their variety, change in how they appear to us over time after we quit, I think. And it starts with the atttiude that you can handle it bit by bit, in inches, not miles or mountains. And when it comes to One Day at a Time, there's something about it that works for me I don't know how to describe. I think I want to say that the following day is like a reward for the previous one. Everyone learns it their own way; maybe resembling other people with their experiences and of course learning from other perspectives, but they have to learn it for themselves.

least

I didn't need a specific trigger, I drank for any reason or no reason at all.

And yes, it does take time. It was about five or six months sober when I realized I was getting few cravings/urges, and could identify them as ridiculous and illogical right off the bat. It was then I realized I'd lost the desire to drink. So be patient and stay strong, it does get better.

Snarf

I echo Toronto's statement that "the following day is like a reward for the previous one." Early on, that's how I approached many days. My reward for not drinking was waking up the next day, without a hangover, and with a little more pride in myself because I knew I had made it through the previous day without a drink. And when I say my prayers in the morning, I always thank God for getting me through another day without a drink.

The first few days, I knew down to the hour how long I had gone without a drink. Then I was counting the days. I could tell you exactly what day I was on up until about 110 or so. After that I started measuring in months, and I assume if I continue along this pace I'll likely be speaking in terms of years. But it started very small, and it started with the faith that I could get through THIS DAY without a drink, and that always made me smile the next day. I liked that feeling and wanted to keep it going.

Hang in there, Aurora. I hope you're able to find something to help you in this struggle.

least

That was beautifully put and expressed my feelings also.

artsoul

Great responses..... I can't add much, only to say that it was definitely worth waiting out the first several months until the urges started going away.

Some days, when it seems I couldn't shake it, I got the idea to mentally go over all the things that were right in my life and for which I was greatful. Things like: My children are healthy today. I have a roof over my head and something to eat. I have people who care about me. (You get the picture). It seemed to help quite a bit, as did prayer.

You're getting through it, so give yourself a pat on the back!

tallcactus

They are just small trigger that the brain sends, because it wants the alcohol.
Start thinking of all the BIG reasons, why you need to be sober.