Mandy73

You will prob get sick of me lol I'm here posting because I'm struggling with the intense urge to drink. This is just one of the first places I come. So hey guys, battling an ugly craving.

Venecia

Mandy, are you familiar with the phrase "play the tape to the end"? It means thinking hard about what happens when you give in to that voice.

You can do it. Cravings go away after a while. Maybe some sparkling water or a walk?

Jsbodhi

Hi! Maybe take a walk like ven said! A shower always helps me too.
Try reading or watch something- try to distract yourself and ride it out xoxo

Mandy73

Ty - I can't really leave right now but im having some sparkling lemon water and reading the posts and just trying to ride it out.

JamesfrmEngland

Your urge is your addiction trying to tell you to take a drink, recognise it and tell it to **** off

Mandy73

Im also eating everything in sight lol prob not the best but whatever gets me through this initial phase I think is better than taking a drink?

Jsbodhi

Well you'd probably be drinking those calories anyway and getting no nutrition from it!

Mandy73

This is true lol

teatreeoil007

So true! It's calories in, either way. Better to eat than drink.

How about make a little bucket list of things to do instead of drink; tailored for yourself? Surely there are some things you enjoy doing...., right? Things that help you feel better and get some satisfaction from.

Here are some things I can do...simple, most of them, but they give me an almost immediate uplift; I feel I am getting something constructive accomplished and don't stress me out or anything.

Do the dishes. (just did that) It wasn't hard I immediately felt better.

Throw a load of clothes in the dryer.

Put some clothes away and straighten up the bedroom a bit. (felt good to get that done.)

Make the bed. Change the sheets, if need be. That always feels good.

Eat something good, yet nutritious. I'm eating greek yogurt with fresh raspberries right now. It's just the right thing at this time of day.

Had a music session today and that took my mind off all my immediate worries and helped release some tension.

Going for a walk after the raspberries/yogurt digest a bit.

Make a fresh pot of coffee, if that's your thing. I grind my own beans very fine. The first cup seems to always be the best one.

Call up someone you haven't talked to in a while, like a sister, brother, mom, dad, friend and catch up on things. You'll never regret giving someone you care about a call and they will know you love them. We don't seem to get enough time or opportunity to let the people in our lives know how much we love them.

Well, that's a start.

You can do it!

sugarbear1

put a glass of water in the fridge and get a drink periodically

urge surfing

write a journal

come here

Dame

Hey Mandy. Absolutely NOT getting sick of you. This is what SR is for. Good grief, if I feel tempted or get a craving, I'll be on these boards in a heartbeat. Best thing you could do.
Actually, after 67 days I'm having my first real craving. Didn't see it coming because I've felt so sh*tty. Feeling better today so I want to 'celebrate'????? Nah, gonna remember my fave coping device - think about: How sick drinking made me WHILE I drank, after I drank (4-5 days). Guilt, shame, self-hatred, despair, suicidal, convinced I was dying anyway. Did I mention sick as a dog?One day of questionable pleasure is not worth going back to day one (and possibly another seizure).

Soberwolf

Mandy this is what SR is all about

Playing the tape is very useful as are these links

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

RogerD

When I used to get cravings I usually went for a walk. It was interesting because a lot of times I would go to a park and I remember watching people and thinking, this is what normal people do, maybe one of these persons is also an alcoholic, maybe someone has a craving just as bad as I do. After less than an hour I would find myself grateful. I never went to parks when I was sober. Nice day, I was inside somewhere drinking. Then I would drive home and think I would usually be drunk now. I might even be driving. Nice to know I wouldn't get a dui.

And they do become less powerful. Still present, but more manageable

Jsbodhi

I could've written this post myself xo

Mandy73

Well I ate a big dinner and drank a lot of carbonated water and the craving has def subsided. Now I'm tired and have no interest in a drink tonight. I didn't get a lot of sleep last night so will prob go to bed early too.

PurpleKnight

Great job on pushing though Mandy . . . you got this!!

Anna

Way to go, Mandy! We will never get tired of you coming here and posting, rather than drinking. And, good choice to eat some good. I found that really helped me too. I hope you sleep better tonight.

firstymer

It makes me feel good that you came here when you were struggling.

It is what we are here for. Please post any time you think it might help you.

Dee74

Posting is exactly what we want you to do Mandy - people asking for help with a sincere desire to change things never gets old, trust me

Have you read this link before?
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...-cravings.html

D

Jsbodhi

Well done! And sleep well xoxo