Ideas to stop cravings
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Sacramento California
Posts: 4
Ideas to stop cravings
Hello,
I'm new here. I've been told by my doctor/therapist that I abuse alcohol in order to escape traumatic events from my past.
For the last 3 years I've been drinking heavily. For the last 6 months my drinking has been limited to weekends only. However the amount of alcohol I consume on these weekends is to the point of sickness.
Last night was the last straw. I've lost my friends, I have no love life and I feel completely cut off from the world around me.
Today is the first day of my sobriety. I'm looking for any ideas to curb cravings in stressful situations, as well as ways to reward myself each weekend for another week of sobriety.
Any help would be much appreciated!
I'm new here. I've been told by my doctor/therapist that I abuse alcohol in order to escape traumatic events from my past.
For the last 3 years I've been drinking heavily. For the last 6 months my drinking has been limited to weekends only. However the amount of alcohol I consume on these weekends is to the point of sickness.
Last night was the last straw. I've lost my friends, I have no love life and I feel completely cut off from the world around me.
Today is the first day of my sobriety. I'm looking for any ideas to curb cravings in stressful situations, as well as ways to reward myself each weekend for another week of sobriety.
Any help would be much appreciated!
Certified Scrabble Cheat!
Join Date: May 2008
Location: The Hill City, MS
Posts: 316
Hey Sadandalone. Wecome to the this site. It's a mixed bag of every kind of drunk you can imagine. But we are consumed with our desire to stay sober!
Some things that work for me are: Doing things that require a lot of brain power. Or maybe doing something with my hands like learning to play the guitar. Perhaps a walk, a trip to the zoo, a trip to the museum, a flea market, garage sale, hobby shops, copper welding, hair weaving, staring at my cat, praying, making a model airplane, rearranging my underwear or sock drawer, bowling, attending a cooking class, wood carving, learning new software applications, painting marbles, stacking BBs, get up to speed on Quantum Physics, glass blowing, clean the grout in your bathroom, make a relplica of the Alamo out of chocolate. Others here will have to help you with this one, but going to an AA meeting.. Maybe even a visit with your priest.
I think you get my drift. Change your routine. And keep posting here so we will know how you are doing. Don't ever feel bad or ashamed of yourself or actions. I mean, it's ok if you do, just get over it pretty quik. That negative energy thing really sucks. You are a child of God that is at the start of a life changing adventure. Stay focused.
Again, welcome and keep those cards and letters coming.. Daddio
Some things that work for me are: Doing things that require a lot of brain power. Or maybe doing something with my hands like learning to play the guitar. Perhaps a walk, a trip to the zoo, a trip to the museum, a flea market, garage sale, hobby shops, copper welding, hair weaving, staring at my cat, praying, making a model airplane, rearranging my underwear or sock drawer, bowling, attending a cooking class, wood carving, learning new software applications, painting marbles, stacking BBs, get up to speed on Quantum Physics, glass blowing, clean the grout in your bathroom, make a relplica of the Alamo out of chocolate. Others here will have to help you with this one, but going to an AA meeting.. Maybe even a visit with your priest.
I think you get my drift. Change your routine. And keep posting here so we will know how you are doing. Don't ever feel bad or ashamed of yourself or actions. I mean, it's ok if you do, just get over it pretty quik. That negative energy thing really sucks. You are a child of God that is at the start of a life changing adventure. Stay focused.
Again, welcome and keep those cards and letters coming.. Daddio
Guest
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Michigan
Posts: 321
Loved those tips, Daddio! I think that if everyone did those things, there would be no time for drinking!
I agree! I've heard to never let yourself become too bored, too hungry or too tired. Sleep when you need to, find an activity that engages you, and eat when you're hungry.
Day 2 is off and running (again) for me. Hope that this is my LAST Day 2!
Stay here with us Sadadnalone! Pretty soon, we'll be asking you to change your name! Because you will be happier, and you are already NOT ALONE! This is a great community of people who know what you are going through. Keep reading posts, and keep posting!
Best wishes,
Honu:ghug3
I agree! I've heard to never let yourself become too bored, too hungry or too tired. Sleep when you need to, find an activity that engages you, and eat when you're hungry.
Day 2 is off and running (again) for me. Hope that this is my LAST Day 2!
Stay here with us Sadadnalone! Pretty soon, we'll be asking you to change your name! Because you will be happier, and you are already NOT ALONE! This is a great community of people who know what you are going through. Keep reading posts, and keep posting!
Best wishes,
Honu:ghug3
"Meow. No, I am not a pup!
Join Date: May 2008
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 269
Walking (near water or trees if possible), yoga, listening to CDs of water, playing with pets, writing silly poems (try expressing yourself in haiku 5-7-5 syllables), journalling, buy kids paints and big paper and make a beautiful mess (or piece of art!) , garden, playing music lound and dancing your butt off, eating special healthy food (eg expensive fruit or juices), redecorate, hug a teddy bear, go to tea shop and buy gourmet teas or have a cup there, get a fishtank and watch fish...
Hugs
PupMum
(Nearing bedtime on day 3 and quite stunned I made it!)
Hugs
PupMum
(Nearing bedtime on day 3 and quite stunned I made it!)
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
In early sobriety....
I timed my cravings.
They were 5-7 minutes in duration.
Not too long too endure discomfort
.
Soooo....I took action.
Walked...rushed my teeth... Drank cold water...Hard candy
Within 2 weeks...the lessened in both time and intensity.
By 2 or so months .... they vanished.
Now...were they mental or physical?
Darn if I know. Nor do I care.
How about beginning a new weekend hobby?
Learn to fly a plane....Volunteer some where
Have you considered AA? It's for anyone with
a desire to quit drinking.
Welcome to SR!...
I timed my cravings.
They were 5-7 minutes in duration.
Not too long too endure discomfort
.
Soooo....I took action.
Walked...rushed my teeth... Drank cold water...Hard candy
Within 2 weeks...the lessened in both time and intensity.
By 2 or so months .... they vanished.
Now...were they mental or physical?
Darn if I know. Nor do I care.
How about beginning a new weekend hobby?
Learn to fly a plane....Volunteer some where
Have you considered AA? It's for anyone with
a desire to quit drinking.
Welcome to SR!...
Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 449
Carol, you offer excellent suggestions to combat cravings... but unfortunately not all of us have them for so short of a time. (You were really blessed in your early sobriety!)
I unfortunately had the most intense and ridiculous cravings that basically lasted all day and night my entire 4th week of sobriety. Even after AA meetings I would still be craving alcohol. The only thing that got me through was other sober people. I used the phone numbers I got from AA meetings, and would hang around the meeting rooms with some others when the meetings themselves were over. I made some 1am phone calls too. It was a rough time and thankfully it has dissipated for now...
Sadandalone, I would definitely look into AA, even if you aren't sure if you are an alcoholic or if you only drank a few days per week. The only requirement is the desire to stop drinking. You will meet fantastic people that you can call when you are craving a drink. People hand out their phone numbers and actually are happy to hear from you when you call.
Good luck and keep posting here!
I unfortunately had the most intense and ridiculous cravings that basically lasted all day and night my entire 4th week of sobriety. Even after AA meetings I would still be craving alcohol. The only thing that got me through was other sober people. I used the phone numbers I got from AA meetings, and would hang around the meeting rooms with some others when the meetings themselves were over. I made some 1am phone calls too. It was a rough time and thankfully it has dissipated for now...
Sadandalone, I would definitely look into AA, even if you aren't sure if you are an alcoholic or if you only drank a few days per week. The only requirement is the desire to stop drinking. You will meet fantastic people that you can call when you are craving a drink. People hand out their phone numbers and actually are happy to hear from you when you call.
Good luck and keep posting here!
Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 26,425
Like carol, my craving only lasted a short time - 2-5 minites, but they did come one after another at times....sort of like contractions when giving birth.
So - I would redirect my thoughts to what was in front of me to do. It also helped to follow every drinking thought/craving with a reading from a recovery book, the BB, psychology book, philosophy or spiritual book. Followed with thinking about how it applied tome. This gave my mind something else to play with.
Everything that happened in my early sobriety (I'm thinking the first month) was intense and stressful......but I tried not to create more of it.
That's all I can think of right now.
So - I would redirect my thoughts to what was in front of me to do. It also helped to follow every drinking thought/craving with a reading from a recovery book, the BB, psychology book, philosophy or spiritual book. Followed with thinking about how it applied tome. This gave my mind something else to play with.
Everything that happened in my early sobriety (I'm thinking the first month) was intense and stressful......but I tried not to create more of it.
That's all I can think of right now.
Certified Scrabble Cheat!
Join Date: May 2008
Location: The Hill City, MS
Posts: 316
You're begining to see SadandAlone the different things that work for different people.
When I was getting off of the hootch, the last thing I wanted to do was read books about it, or "journal" about or talk to a group about!
I just pushed that junk right over the cliff and watched it hit the bottom and told it BuBye. 
Then, when I was good and ready, (about 8 months) I walked my butt right into Chilis, (my most favorite beer saloon) sat down at the bar, ordered a Diet Coke and lime and watched the ball game. I ate dinner, finished my meal and payed up. When I walked outside I did the ol fist pump and told that SOB that, by God, I WON!!!!
See, I'm all backwards. I'm a little guy (6'-2", 286lbs) but with a teetiny little brain. I always thought that it was me that was doing the drinking and therefore it was me that could stop the drinking. But it is definitely whatever works for you.
Just stay with us and keep posting. As Honu said, you are not alone here. And I look forward to your new avatar name.
Daddio
When I was getting off of the hootch, the last thing I wanted to do was read books about it, or "journal" about or talk to a group about!
I just pushed that junk right over the cliff and watched it hit the bottom and told it BuBye. Then, when I was good and ready, (about 8 months) I walked my butt right into Chilis, (my most favorite beer saloon) sat down at the bar, ordered a Diet Coke and lime and watched the ball game. I ate dinner, finished my meal and payed up. When I walked outside I did the ol fist pump and told that SOB that, by God, I WON!!!!See, I'm all backwards. I'm a little guy (6'-2", 286lbs) but with a teetiny little brain. I always thought that it was me that was doing the drinking and therefore it was me that could stop the drinking. But it is definitely whatever works for you.
Just stay with us and keep posting. As Honu said, you are not alone here. And I look forward to your new avatar name.
Daddio
Certified Scrabble Cheat!
Join Date: May 2008
Location: The Hill City, MS
Posts: 316
Originally Posted by Honu 
Loved those tips, Daddio! I think that if everyone did those things, there would be no time for drinking!
This PSA brought to you by Daddio!!!
Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1
hey everybody
i'm four months in recovery and still have horrific cravings
not very often...
but right now would be a good example
and it's lasted for the past hour and a half
i go to meetings and talk with my sponsor regularly, but is it normal to still get really bad cravings even after you hit that 90 day mark? or am i doing something wrong?
i'm four months in recovery and still have horrific cravings
not very often...
but right now would be a good example
and it's lasted for the past hour and a half
i go to meetings and talk with my sponsor regularly, but is it normal to still get really bad cravings even after you hit that 90 day mark? or am i doing something wrong?
Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Europe
Posts: 1,361
many peoples here on the forum are trying to block the cravings completely out, and when they can't (it is impossible u know) they want to relapse.
try accepting the cravings for a change, it's okay to have them, and they will pass again if u let them. By desperately trying to block them out, u only get more stressed witch will enduce more cravings.
just let the cravings be, they are a part of ur recovery. Things do get better.
try accepting the cravings for a change, it's okay to have them, and they will pass again if u let them. By desperately trying to block them out, u only get more stressed witch will enduce more cravings.
just let the cravings be, they are a part of ur recovery. Things do get better.
Awaiting Email Confirmation
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,942
I use fitness and positive thinking to stop cravings.
Positive thinking regarding cravings: when you get a craving to drink/use, envision the entire scenario through to the end. DON'T just think about how much you would like the first one, play the tape all of the way through, recognize what happens after the first one, think about where you end up. Think about WHY you choose NOT to drink/use.
All too often we glorify the thought of the first one, completely ignoring the following consequences.
Positive thinking regarding cravings: when you get a craving to drink/use, envision the entire scenario through to the end. DON'T just think about how much you would like the first one, play the tape all of the way through, recognize what happens after the first one, think about where you end up. Think about WHY you choose NOT to drink/use.
All too often we glorify the thought of the first one, completely ignoring the following consequences.
Guest
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 347
Positive thinking regarding cravings: when you get a craving to drink/use, envision the entire scenario through to the end. DON'T just think about how much you would like the first one, play the tape all of the way through, recognize what happens after the first one, think about where you end up. Think about WHY you choose NOT to drink/use.
For cravings- I do ANYTHING else. Work out, read, write, come here and post, read jokes, play games, clean, origami, bother my cat- any other damn thing but use. If one thing doesn't work, I move onto the next- until I find something that occupies me enough. Eventually the cravings ease, and get fewer and farther between.
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
