Readygo

I’m finding emotional triggers to my reasons I turn to alcohol. Obviously I can’t avoid emotions, so I’m trying to learn to deal with them in new ways. The one that is resurfacing that I’m having issues in knowing how to handle is anger/annoyance. I have to remove myself from situations and breathing because I feel like lipping off like a sailor, which is so not like me, but when I return those situations are still there and again I don’t want to start cussing all over the place.

The last two days I’m being impatient and touchy. Overly sensitive and defensive.

Has any body found a good way to handle these in the moment?

Offthemast

I would say don't bottle it in (No pun intended). Feel it and express it. Not, "You make me angry" but, "I feel angry". You choose how you react to other people.

Dee74

Hi readygo

first off, this is completely normal - it will get better.

I found gratitude lists were a help - sure, some days you may not feel like listing all the thing you're grateful for, but it usually puts the anger irritability and annoyances into perspective

D

D

Gottalife

There is plenty about this in the AA program. We recognise particularly that anger is a very dangerous emotion for us. From the bottom of page 66, if you have a copy. There is more in later steps. One thing that helped me the most at the start was step 10 , which suggests we clean up any new mistakes as we go along.

I found it much easier to immediately admit when I am wrong and get it out of the way, than to let it fester for a few days. Keeping my side of the street clean takes a lot of pressure out of the picture.