jazzfish

I am struggling to get traction in sobriety. I manage 1 or 2 days, but then right back to drinking. In my periods of sobriety before, this was always the trickiest part, because my body is just screaming for some alcohol. So, I am asking for people's experience in how they managed to get through the initial hump of the first few days of sobriety. Thanks!

Flyin2BFree

yeah ya'll let's hear the ideas. AND IN A HURRY, pronto haha

day 1 at 3 in the afternoon for me. I'd be hammered by now, but I am just fidgety as all get out, light sweat all over, and a running brain!

Coldfusion

I went to a very affordable detox / crisis respite program. Their philosophy is that it is better to help people before they hurt themselves and wind up in the hospital (the latter is often a great expense to society).

It was built as part of a new jail, so the food was not great and there was no privacy. I received adequate medical attention and counseling.

The most important thing was being with other desperate addicts and alcoholics. I also learned that fellowship would be the key to sustained sobriety.

LadyinBC

Go to an AA meeting if at all possible. You don't have to talk just listening helps.

I would tell myself "don't need a drink right now" over and over again, got thru a minute at a time if I had to. Your addictive side is telling you you need it. Do you have the blue book from AA. I found reading peoples stories helped too.

Xune

My six months + is made of individual days.

I never have to have a day one again and neither do you, but you have to be willing to make changes where necessary and reach out for support.

Dee74

I spent a lot of time on SR.
This technique was also useful to me

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...e-surfing.html

Basically I accepted I would be uncomfortable for a while...early recovery is really hard. The more support you have, the better off you are I think...

It does get better...but you need to go through the woods first

D

hamabi

Eat a little something every few hours, treat yourself to your favorite desserts, drink a lot of juice, go easy on the coffee, make the calls and speak to the people you care for but haven't kept up with, visit your local library or vid rental store for some light reading/viewing, catch up on the chores, locate and consider attending some kind of recovery group, donate your discarded clothing and kitchen items, journal your feelings, mend lost buttons, cook a semi-challenging dish and share it with someone if possible.

By then you'll be 72 hours sober or more and some say that's as physically sober as you'll ever get. Find some recovery program to plug into to address the strangeness and the difficulties of being always in the real world. Breathe in and out as needed until you stop.

jazzfish

Thanks, Dee. I think I need to dust off my meditation pillow. I have also been considering getting to an AA meeting tonight.

Coldfusion

Atheist, environmental scientist me is going to kneel down and say a prayer for you. Be right back...

jazzfish

Atheist, alcoholic me thanks you.

Coldfusion

...there, I got down on the beautiful rug we got in the little studio when we first moved here. I centered myself, and sent healing thoughts your way.

jazzfish

Thanks. I looked up the article in your signature and read it, quite interesting. I need to find ways to simulate my pre-frontal cortex.