Acheleus

Looking for ideas to beat the cravings that will start tomorrow afternoon. List what you remind yourself of when the AV creeps in.

trikyriky

Thats easy # 1 How I will feel after , play the tape to the end

Tr

lorelei

how badly I don't want to go back to day 1 and go thro all that *again*

dcd

Something non alcoholic on hand you like to drink. A possible walk, or something to stay busy. I went to the zoo and made my self a frozen watermelon with lime drink when I got home just to have something in the hand that tasted good. It helped me get through the day.

freshstart57

Acheleus, you might take a look at the 'beliefs' thread in the alcoholism forum. It ties in nicely with your question.

Here are some short ideas:

1. Your AV is not you.
2. Thoughts are just thoughts, it is up to you to decide how you react to them.
3. Urges come and go. Meh.
4. You have made a decision not to drink, and you can do it.
5. You don't drink anymore. Remember? You have decided you are not a drinker.
6. You deserve a good life, Acheleus, and you can have it. OR you can have a drink, but you cannot have both.
7. You can feel like you have slain the dragon the next day, or you can feel like crap, again. This time is different because you get to choose.

Along with these ideas, make a plan in your mind. Picture how this is going to play out, how you will feel, what you will do, how you will get there and how you will get home. Have a Plan B - be very mindful and aware of how you are feeling, and if you feel panicky, have a plan to leave, go for a walk. Write down on a piece of paper that you can keep with you 30 reasons to stay sober. If you feel a strong urge, take it out and read it, and the urge will have passed.

I wish you well, Acheleus.

least

I reminded myself of how badly I'd feel the next day if I drank. How badly I didn't ever want to go thru w/d again. I'd keep myself busy. When I had cravings I'd walk my dogs. That made them happy and kept me sober.

Dee74

here are some things to do:

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...-cravings.html

as far as what to think? I knew where drinking got me - I decided to put my faith in not drinking and see where that took me. I understood it might not be easy, but I trusted people here when they said it would get easier.

they were right - it did.

Have faith - you're doing the right thing

D

stevie88

When I crave I think about what I have done in the last 9 and a half months....

Got myself a job for the first time in 5 years...

Bought myself an £8000 car....

Became a better father to my kids...

Through exercise I have become stronger, fitter and healthier....I really do feel great...

I have become reliable and trustworthy....People no longer think I will rip them off just for the sake of a 4 pack....

Overall I have become 1000 times a better person....

Do I really want to throw all that away??????

Take care.....Steve.

Toffee1

I think about how I would feel to go back to day 1 again . It would just seem like too much hassle . I am on my road now I don't want to take a detour or a step backwards. I have made my decision and now I have to stand by my decision and give it a real go! Not just heal hearted but 100 per cent. Do you think my monster has got the message yet?

SkyeSea

I remind myself that the days to get over withdrawals, were getting longer and longer. In the early days, I'd be fine after 3-5 days - the last time, it took 10.
It really is progressive and I don't ever want to feel like that, or waste that much of my life, ever again.

digdug

Meetings, calling sober people and talking, looking at my rehab picture, knowing in my heart that if I drink again, I will die.

And fun stuff too! A home-cooked meal. Catching up on a good tv show. Football!! Giving back by helping someone else.

Sparkos

What Freshstart said plus:
The regrets;
the shame;
the disappointment in youself;
the dry retching;
the knowledge that it won't stop at one drink, one day, one week etc ad infinitum;
the look one loved ones faces;
the knowledge that you've left yourself and everybody who cares for you down;
And most of all, you've let that ******* AV get one over on you!