ideatrack

Evan, we all get those urges, at specific times, from our regular drinking routine. What I suggest to you is simple. Get out of the house, take a walk for several blocks, and just give it ONE hour. Tell yourself you're going to just wait ONE hour before you start thinking about those urges again.

The cravings are your midbrain (AVRT calls it the BEAST) simply used to a routine of alcohol at a specific time- and when it notices you are not drinking, it sends a message telling your body something is "missing" or "wrong." It is NOT YOU. YOU do NOT want to drink. IT does.

But if you just LET this beast crave, it usually fades and gives up within an hour. ONE HOUR, and you'll likely feel a little better, and the cravings will become less. These cravings come in waves. And day by day, the waves become shorter. Ride it out. Good luck.

benice

Evan – this goes for you too…it goes for all of us! Do not stop and pick anything up on the way home. If you can get on here and read, that will help get you through. There is something called urge surfing. Someone else may be able to give you a link to it. It really helps! So, it’s something like... the physical urge is there. If you can, sit down and listen to what is going on inside you. Feel the tension, where it is, listen to it and make it ride its course without giving in. When the surf is over, you have conquered it – until next time. I did not do this justice, so do a search for it on this site. It’s kinda cool…

Best Wishes!!!! Stay strong!!!

SoberForMySon

Answer my annoying questions!! Lol, hey it's better than drinking. Take a walk. Have a bath. Cook a meal that's tricky. Watch a show or movie. Post on SR and help other newbies. Go to a meeting. Rant about the election Facebook, everyone else is. Call a relative you never talk to and say hi. Get a Pogo games account and play a game. Family feud is fun!!!! You can do it.

Dee74

congrats to everybody celebrating milestones - way to go on your progress!

stick with it Jimuk - we can learn it's OK to feel good

welcome to SR Adaline - I've no experience with Tramadol - are you planning to see a Dr?

welcome back soberjim
welcome back to you too Chardonnay lucylestrange and ca3726

sobrietygirl, Jaz, Evan - it's tough, but going back to drinking is tougher I think.
Stick close to SR, read about urge surfing (that helped me)...you guys can do this

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

D

Groder

Take a shower, immerse yourself in something--the internet, a book, a movie. Sometimes I drive somewhere because I know I'll never drink & drive.

Or go to bed really early. Bring a book or laptop with you, but just make the day end sober.

walkingwithgod

Just finished mowing the lawn. I usually have a beer or two after, it is all I can think about. Today is day three and I don't want to fail

Marjoram

I just got home from a road trip about 25 miles away to pick up parts for the shop I work for. Went by about 6 party stores. It was all I could do continue past. It's that normal time of day, though, where I'd be drinking. It's all I can think about....but, once it's past, I'm just fine. So, I have to ignore that nasty voice in my mind and my body and push forward. We are not alone in this. What we are all experiencing is all part of this journey. It does suck, and it can be so horribly frustrating. Arrrgghhhh....time to cook supper. Usually a cocktail is nice while cooking dinner. See, everything has alcohol attached to it. That's why it's so hard to not have it when it's all your routine has had.

But.....I'm on my way to nab a glass of water......

Marjoram

WWG - don't think about beer....think about a nice big glass of water with lots of ice cubes. Refreshing after mowing the lawn. Stick with this.

SoberForMySon

Maj, WWG, you guys rock!!!! Keep it up. Keep posting!!! Tell us stories anything. Just keep busy, and know you are not alone.

walkingwithgod

I can fight this feeling, and I will. Thanks friends.

jaz06

Read about that urge surfing. The witching hour is killing me right now, but I've printed out the article on surfing, adding it to my daily log...making notes. It really does make sense, the craving does come in waves. Sometimes I don't think I'll last, but I'm closing my eyes & taking deep breaths. Let's do it together WWG!

DeepBreath2012

I hope everyone can fight the urges they are facing. Mine aren't so bad tonight, but only because I'm talking myself down non-stop. I've discovered that this incessant focus on alcohol is total BS and I'm mad at myself for allowing it to control me. I will no longer have it run my brain and my life!

I will be thinking of all of you and praying for a sober end to the day. I'm going to spend some quality doggie time and hit bed early as I have to tackle an early morning facing something that I really don't want to face.

My prayers are for all of us to see our next day sober!! Day 3 here I come...

walkingwithgod

We can and will make it. I just made a cup of coffee after staring at the beer in the fridge. My wife said I could have a couple. I said, I can't just have 2.

SoberForMySon

Can you dump it out?

walkingwithgod

I could but my wife likes an IPA here and there.

SoberForMySon

Does she know your struggle?

DeepBreath2012

Wow WWG I know if I had it in the house I wouldn't be able to fight the urge especially so early on. I think you should talk with your wife??

jaz06

I hear ya WWG. Although I really think my hubby is trying to be supportive, he'll make comments about how good I've been, so I should cut myself some slack & have 1 or 2. Sometimes I think he's the one in denial of my situation. But I do keep talking to him...last night, instead of asking if I wanted 1, he asked how I was feeling. I think we're getting there.

Dee74

I don't understand normal drinkers...so it's natural normal drinkers will not understand me either I think.

In the end it's down to us - *we* know whats right for us.

No matter what the support is like elsewhere, there's a lot of support here - we can do this

D

walkingwithgod

My wife is very supportive, but I see no need to throw out the beer. If I want one I could just go to the fridge or to the store. She knows I struggle, and is proud of me. I thought of drinking so I just did a quick walk with the dog to fight the urge.