Ninjaturtle

The idea of drinking is so much better than the act. Our brain continually lies to us. When you visualize tasting that drink and having that feeling of relief wash over you. How come we don't visualize the disgusting food we eat, the stupid things we do, and the brutal hangovers. I forgot who it is on here that tells us to "play the tape till the end." But thank you! It's helped me so much. I feel really good. Lost 40 pounds working out and eating healthy. Looking good, feeling good. Thanks SR and don't listen to the lies.

Ruby2

Good for you! I didn't often think it through before I drank. Even the rare occasions I did, I drank anyway until I couldn't take it any longer. Remembering the pain has helped. Keep going!

PurpleKnight

I saw a documentary once on the endorphin levels in the brain being higher at the simple anticipation of fulfilling a desire compared to the actual action of fulfilling it, it opened my eyes a bit to the chemical side of addiction!!

Keep pushing through Ninjaturtle!!

Hope2014

Nice job NinjaTurtle!!

Zufrieden

Excellent post Ninja. The "play the tape concept" is a constant fall-back effort for me. You are right....the idea of drinking is so much better than the realization of it.
Happy day to all.
d

MythOfSisyphus

Well said, Ninjaturtle.

FarToGo

Great post! Thank you x

OnMyWay7

I totally agree

SoberryHappy

Purpleknight, do you remember the name of the documentary? I am interested in watching it. I am obsessed with books/movies/shows about addiction. The science behind it really intrigues me.

And great job Ninjaturtle!!!

zjw

good job! yeah at 4 years sober the fantasy of drinking still creeps into my head. The beer store is near the grocery store and lots of times as i'm leaving the grocery store I hesitate as I start engine and I sit there and think i wonder how the old guy that runs the place is donig I wonder if theres anything on sale today maybe I should just stop in for a min.... Or i'll be out on my deck and I'll think what a wonderful night boy oh boy a cigarette and a beer would be just fantastic right now!

But yeah when I play the tape out the fantasy quickly turns into another horror story. Its like being deathly alergic to your favorite food! Oh well it is what it is no big deal life goes on I"m far better off without that misery anyhow.

Nonsensical

Doing some actual thinking about it (i.e. playing the tape to the end) puts those romantic notions our imaginations conjure in an entirely different light.

ccam1973

Great job NT! I couldn't agree more. Each time I get the urge I have to fast-forward and think of everything that just one drink would bring me back to...

... not pretty!

Great post.

OMW

The reality is I was hospitalized from falls and blacked out at occasions I where I should not have even been drinking. It is so strange how I just keep going back. Children and a husband, good job, friends and I keep trying to drink. Day 4. The relief my friends and family will feel when I quit will be enormous. The problem is I am afraid this thing will haunt me until it kills me.

Ohme

"Play the tape to the end" is so simple, but I never thought of it before!
It really is true what they say about us having very short memories.
My idealizing booze is probably my biggest problem. Thanks for this post.

gettingsmarter

Right On Ninjaturtle

Soberwolf

Great post & great job on day 4 OMW

JD4010

Hahaha. A friend of mine and I were talking about this the other day. The anticipation of drinking is so great. "Gee, I'm sure going to have fun while I get loaded!" Then, when I'm actually loaded, I do stupid sh!t and feel like complete crap the next day. Best part? I don't remember hardly any of the stuff I did while drunk. But then I get reminded of it the next day--on top of feeling awful.

Wow. Drinking is so much fun. Not.