Craving a drink
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Olathe
Posts: 200
Craving a drink
Hey all, sober all 2017 so far. I am really craving a drink, want to go out and pick up a 6'er. This is the third time I've quit. I don't know why it's so easy for me now to go a few months without then the cravings hit hard. I work hard, I work out hard, it's the weekend, it's 65 degrees outside and sunny. Spring weather has arrived. I'm craving a drink badly. What should I do?
All is Change
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,282
Nothing. Just be continuously aware of the sensation of the craving. Go ahead and do what needs to be done on any usual day. Don't get attached to the craving. Just let it be there. It will pass.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 370
Originally Posted by Cahabr 
Hey all, sober all 2017 so far. I am really craving a drink, want to go out and pick up a 6'er. This is the third time I've quit. I don't know why it's so easy for me now to go a few months without then the cravings hit hard. I work hard, I work out hard, it's the weekend, it's 65 degrees outside and sunny. Spring weather has arrived. I'm craving a drink badly. What should I do?
asixstringnut
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 2,872
If it were me, I'd go out and enjoy the beautiful day sober. Go for a drive. Ride your bike. Go workout.
I can guaranty to you, there is nothing you're going to do that drinking will make better.
Then think of tomorrow if you drink today. Is it worth it?
I can guaranty to you, there is nothing you're going to do that drinking will make better.
Then think of tomorrow if you drink today. Is it worth it?
All is Change
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,282
"I don't know why it's so easy for me now to go a few months without then the cravings hit hard."
It happens because you are sober. You haven't been feeding the craving to drink. When you do this the old stock of cravings get dislodged from deep inside and start to rise to the surface.
If you drink again you push this back inside to be coped with next time you quit.
If you don't drink again and continue to do what you have been doing these cravings will intensify for a while and then pass away. A bit like a wave coming, growing, crashing, receding. You get stronger and more capable to face whatever else sober life brings you.
A way to loook at it is as if you have a wound with pus. It swells, is painful and bursts. Don't be the pus. Be the equanimous healer observing the process. When the pus has passed apply a balm of good feeling towards your self and carry on.
It happens because you are sober. You haven't been feeding the craving to drink. When you do this the old stock of cravings get dislodged from deep inside and start to rise to the surface.
If you drink again you push this back inside to be coped with next time you quit.
If you don't drink again and continue to do what you have been doing these cravings will intensify for a while and then pass away. A bit like a wave coming, growing, crashing, receding. You get stronger and more capable to face whatever else sober life brings you.
A way to loook at it is as if you have a wound with pus. It swells, is painful and bursts. Don't be the pus. Be the equanimous healer observing the process. When the pus has passed apply a balm of good feeling towards your self and carry on.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Olathe
Posts: 200
Thanks all, helpful advice. I'm not sure where this intense craving came from, since I haven't experienced anything like it so far in over 60 days. It's weird. Thinking about tomorrow being hungover hopefully will carry me through. Brewing a fresh pot of coffee now.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Olathe
Posts: 200
Originally Posted by Grymt
A way to loook at it is as if you have a wound with pus. It swells, is painful and bursts. Don't be the pus. Be the equanimous healer observing the process. When the pus has passed apply a balm of good feeling towards your self and carry on.
Whatever it takes - just for today.
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Canberra, Australia
Posts: 200
Here is another analogy for you...
If you were thinking it might be really fun to go play in the traffic. Would you do it? Or would you tell yourself that's crazy and ignore/dismiss the thought?
Your craving is the same, it is just a thought and it doesn't need to be acted upon and nothing good would come from acting upon it.
It is just a thought, it is just feeling. You don't need to obey it and it will pass.
Hang in there!
If you were thinking it might be really fun to go play in the traffic. Would you do it? Or would you tell yourself that's crazy and ignore/dismiss the thought?
Your craving is the same, it is just a thought and it doesn't need to be acted upon and nothing good would come from acting upon it.
It is just a thought, it is just feeling. You don't need to obey it and it will pass.
Hang in there!
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,371
Hey Cahabr
do you have ay kind of a recovery plan?
There are good ideas here:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ery-plans.html
some good strategies for craving here too:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...-cravings.html
D
do you have ay kind of a recovery plan?
There are good ideas here:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ery-plans.html
some good strategies for craving here too:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...-cravings.html
D
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