Serenidad

Just wanted to share....

I got a craving at my usually time yesterday....between 4:00-6:00 pm. I took my journal out and started writing. It was essentially "writing through the drink" instead of "thinking through the drink". (a.k.a. playing the drinking tape all the way through) When I am having a craving it's hard for me to think about anything BUT drinking so writing it out was so helpful!

It looked something like this:
1. Craving
2. Lie to family about where I am going so I can go out and drink
3. Buy beer & cigs
4. Chug beer in my car and worry someone will see me or even a cop
5. Go to bar
6. Sit alone like a loser
7. Drink X,Y, Z until I feel sick
8. Spend tons of money we don't have
9. Drive home drunk (ugh!) or spend a ton of $ on a cab
10. Vomit when get home
11. Spend the entire night tossing and turning and hating myself
12. Wake up stinking like alcohol and stale smoke
13. Feel so much shame, guilt, anxiety and depression in the morning
14. Head pounding
15. Soooo hungover
16. Wasted so much money
17.

You get the idea. Mine was ALOT more detailed and ended up having about 40 things on the list but it worked. By the time I got done there was no way in hell I wanted to drink!

I'm sure others have tried this tool, but if you haven't...it worked for me so maybe it will help you. :-)

ScottFromWI

I'm glad you've found something that works for you Serenidad, thank for sharing as well.

Serenidad

I was finally willing to try it Scott. I'm so glad I did because I could very well be hungover right now. So nice to wake up sober (not hungover) this morning! :-)

ArtFriend

Cool! I think writing is a therapeutic tool. Glad you found something that helped you!

Surrender2win

That's a great idea! Thanks for sharing

Soberwolf

Good stuff Serenidad

Scram

Wow, this is actually a really cool idea. Thanks for sharing, I will try this.

Soberpotamus

Woohoo, Serenidad!! That is excellent Playing it through is by far the most powerful tool I've used. It really does work

You did great

Thepatman

Good stuff!

CaseyW

Writing the drink through...I like it! Thanks for sharing and congrats on making the decision to not take that first drink no matter what.

PurpleKnight

Great job on pushing through Serenidad!!

Serenidad

It really DID work! I almost cringed at the thought of a drink by the time I was halfway through the drink! I hope it works for others! I'd love to hear if it does.

Thanks for encouragement everyone! :-)

Calitano

That's great.
Now I'm tempted to post my list on the inside of the front door or on the mirror or fridge so that the consequences become etched in!

Serenidad

Haha I just re-read my post and I MEANT to say "I almost cringed at the thought of a drink by the time I was halfway thought the journal list"....not DRINK! Lol

Serenidad

That's a great idea! Just write your list very detailed and when you have a thought or craving force yourself to read the entire list slowly (even out loud?) and really think about it and visualize.

SoberLife90

Sometimes my mind isnt thinking right. Its when I'm "Hungry, Angry, lonely, or tired". H.A.L.T. By the way that is not original...i stole that from a felow SR member. Now sure who but very true!

Stubbs16

Awesome idea! Thanks for sharing this. I will try it myself. Whatever works.