Notices

a weak moment & pattern

Old 09-27-2012, 01:04 PM
  # 1 (permalink)  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: east coast
Posts: 1,711
a weak moment & pattern

I've noticed I crave drinking everyday around this time 4 pm) which is when I leave work & normally chase my bottle of wine at the liquor store. I'm really struggling but know it will pass....it helps me to say I want to drink ( on here & outloud). So glad I have an aa meeting lined up later because its keeping me accountable. As i think thru the drink now I know it would end up leading to feelings of guilt & shame. And I'm smoking cigarettes like they're going out of style ugh. Thanks for reading my vent.
quitforme79 is offline  
Old 09-27-2012, 01:08 PM
  # 2 (permalink)  
Hexipuff
 
Hexipuff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Kent UK
Posts: 375
I had a similar trigger for 6pm - that was alcohol o clock (before things got even more out of hand)

I made sure I was busy busy busy at that time. Anything from dog walking to a bath or to the gym. Even a different way home broke the habit after about 3-4 weeks

An evening AA meeting is also a go way too - as you say it keeps you accountable and focused.

Good luck on your journey
Hexipuff is offline  
Old 09-27-2012, 01:31 PM
  # 3 (permalink)  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: east coast
Posts: 1,711
Thanks hexipuff. I'm really trying to keep busy as you said...this too shall pass...
quitforme79 is offline  
Old 09-27-2012, 01:38 PM
  # 4 (permalink)  
instant
 
instant's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 5,711
This will go away in time if you stay on the path. I found it helps to think of it as a "body memory" , "urge" etc. The first step in mastering the situation you have already done ie
  • you know there is a pattern and the pattern repeats
  • you have an explanation for why they are occurring
  • you know they subside

It may help to do a search on urge surfing, there is a good article somewhere here. I found that understanding the above helped 'separate' me from the experience. The other thing that helped was a bit of chocolate about half an hour before they usually come on.

If you stay on the path- in time this type of experience will be a thing of the past
instant is offline  
Old 09-27-2012, 01:44 PM
  # 5 (permalink)  
Administrator
 
Anna's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,270
Good for you for recognizing that you can get through these thoughts.

I found that changing my daily routine helped me a lot. For example, can you take a different route home so you don't go by the same store or shop at a different store? Little things like that helped me through the early days.
Anna is online now  
Old 09-27-2012, 02:44 PM
  # 6 (permalink)  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: east coast
Posts: 1,711
Thanks for the great advice instant, I will definitely look for that article, And Anna, I really can't take a different way home because I am literally right off the highway but I have been stopping to run errands before heading home. Today, I went to the bookstore to return something and that in itself changed my routine. Drove right past the liquor store down the block and sucked it up. However, this craving is lasting longer than usual. I know its because Thursdays I hit the bottle hard because I don't work on Fridays. Anyway, I am going to get ready for my meeting. Will dress nice and put some make-up on. If I can't totally feel normal right now, I can at least try and look it!
quitforme79 is offline  
Old 09-27-2012, 02:51 PM
  # 7 (permalink)  
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Between Meetings
Posts: 8,997
Hang in there Quit!...Use your phone numbers...Check in here....It gets better....Have a great meeting and you're doing great!
Sapling is offline  
Old 09-27-2012, 03:01 PM
  # 8 (permalink)  
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Between Meetings
Posts: 8,997
I'm curious if you have a 5:00 meeting you could hit when you get out of work for awhile?
Sapling is offline  
Old 09-27-2012, 08:39 PM
  # 9 (permalink)  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: east coast
Posts: 1,711
Good idea sapling....there are some around me at 5:30...need to start doing that, especially on days like this. Thanks
quitforme79 is offline  
Old 09-27-2012, 08:41 PM
  # 10 (permalink)  
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Between Meetings
Posts: 8,997
Thank God for another day sober Quit. What a great meeting I went to today....The topic was serenity....Something I never had when I was drinking.
Sapling is offline  
Old 09-27-2012, 08:42 PM
  # 11 (permalink)  
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Midwest
Posts: 111
Mine's 8:00. Right before the liquor store closes. I'd start "pre-gaming" at home, get dressed, and go to the bar.

I've been trying to stay online during that time to distract me. So far, so good. This site is great.
driftapart is offline  
Old 09-27-2012, 08:48 PM
  # 12 (permalink)  
Member
 
Pondlady's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Midwest
Posts: 8,314
Hope you had a good meeting. I too don't work on Fridays and cracked a bottle of wine at 4 pm ish. It did help me to keep busy and even out of the house at first. Took long walks and ran errands.....cleaned like crazy too.
Pondlady is offline  
Old 09-27-2012, 08:51 PM
  # 13 (permalink)  
Awaiting Email Confirmation
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: New England
Posts: 604
I found it helped me to say it out loud too. Took away some of the power or something. I could say it, and then make an active choice not to do it. Good for you!
NoFireWater is offline  
Old 09-28-2012, 03:15 AM
  # 14 (permalink)  
Member
 
forabetterlife's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,462
Good for you, sounded like you had a good plan. 4pm is my hardest time of the day too, but after month I learned to just ride it out and within an hour or two the craving is gone and I can just go about my night sober and without that uncomfortable urge.
forabetterlife is offline  

Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:10 AM.