Today is Tough
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 42
Today is Tough
I'm not gonna lie, today is hard.
Certain people who have "driven me to drink" in the past have brought up the same emotions, and my first inclination in these situations is to go across the street, buy a twelve pack and forget about my problems.
I did go across the street, but instead I bought a pack of cigarettes - the lesser of two evils I guess.
I'm not going to drink today, but I'm just saying it's not easy.
Day 8.
Certain people who have "driven me to drink" in the past have brought up the same emotions, and my first inclination in these situations is to go across the street, buy a twelve pack and forget about my problems.
I did go across the street, but instead I bought a pack of cigarettes - the lesser of two evils I guess.
I'm not going to drink today, but I'm just saying it's not easy.
Day 8.
Beating this demon for GOOD
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 143
awesome job...I have been having the same feelings and emotions (day six for me)....the physical craving is very tough, but lots of chocolate over here and Dr. Pepper...hang in there, we can do this!!!
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 209,185
I'm sorry today was tough Stavros.
I had a few button pushers in my life too..
in the beginning all I could do was make a commitment not to drink - & smoke too in my case...I was *done* punishing myself and my body for what others might do.
By staying sober, a little later on I was able to work out positive ways to destress - relaxation, meditation, exercise etc - ways to stick to healthy boundaries, and ways to accept that, while I couldn't expect to change others behaviour, I could change my reactions to it.
It all took time, but I'm glad I put the work in
D
I had a few button pushers in my life too..
in the beginning all I could do was make a commitment not to drink - & smoke too in my case...I was *done* punishing myself and my body for what others might do.
By staying sober, a little later on I was able to work out positive ways to destress - relaxation, meditation, exercise etc - ways to stick to healthy boundaries, and ways to accept that, while I couldn't expect to change others behaviour, I could change my reactions to it.
It all took time, but I'm glad I put the work in
D
Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: I'm exactly where I should be.
Posts: 1,889
I find that I can't control other people or their emotions, anger and feelings but I can change how I think and react to them.
My daughter was always pushing my buttons but I think now that I'm not drinking she's not sure which buttons to push. Hehe. Don't let people 'think' they can aggravate you.
Sorry about having a bad day...we will have them.
My daughter was always pushing my buttons but I think now that I'm not drinking she's not sure which buttons to push. Hehe. Don't let people 'think' they can aggravate you.
Sorry about having a bad day...we will have them.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 42
Originally Posted by MycoolFitz 
Not easy but worth it and nobody has a license to drive you to drink. You control your emotions don't give them away to others. Good job on not picking up.
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 42
Originally Posted by Newtosoberlivin
awesome job...I have been having the same feelings and emotions (day six for me)....the physical craving is very tough, but lots of chocolate over here and Dr. Pepper...hang in there, we can do this!!!
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 42
Originally Posted by Dee74
I'm sorry today was tough Stavros.
I had a few button pushers in my life too..
in the beginning all I could do was make a commitment not to drink - & smoke too in my case...I was *done* punishing myself and my body for what others might do.
By staying sober, a little later on I was able to work out positive ways to destress - relaxation, meditation, exercise etc - ways to stick to healthy boundaries, and ways to accept that, while I couldn't expect to change others behaviour, I could change my reactions to it.
It all took time, but I'm glad I put the work in
D
I had a few button pushers in my life too..
in the beginning all I could do was make a commitment not to drink - & smoke too in my case...I was *done* punishing myself and my body for what others might do.
By staying sober, a little later on I was able to work out positive ways to destress - relaxation, meditation, exercise etc - ways to stick to healthy boundaries, and ways to accept that, while I couldn't expect to change others behaviour, I could change my reactions to it.
It all took time, but I'm glad I put the work in
D
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 42
Originally Posted by EmeraldRose
I find that I can't control other people or their emotions, anger and feelings but I can change how I think and react to them.
My daughter was always pushing my buttons but I think now that I'm not drinking she's not sure which buttons to push. Hehe. Don't let people 'think' they can aggravate you.
Sorry about having a bad day...we will have them.
My daughter was always pushing my buttons but I think now that I'm not drinking she's not sure which buttons to push. Hehe. Don't let people 'think' they can aggravate you.
Sorry about having a bad day...we will have them.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Corpus Christi Texas
Posts: 76
For me, if I tried to blame situations and people for my drinking and using......they ended up being the winners........and I the loser. I have learned from my own mistakes that only "I" can control the response I have to others and difficult situations. That was a big light-bulb for me, hopefully from now on I can stand tall and be proud of the fact that I won the battle.
Good luck......keep posting and stay strong !
Good luck......keep posting and stay strong !
SoberOutlook
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,089
stavros...I met with my therapist today and discussed just this issue. The triggers caused by behaviors, feelings and situations. He drew a picture for me showing that I have established neural pathways in my brain (physically) that take me to that store across the street based on past responses to those triggers. By establishing new responses, you are paving new neural pathways, and letting the old roads decay in the process. Keep it up! All it takes is practice!
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 42
Originally Posted by LoftyIdeals
stavros...I met with my therapist today and discussed just this issue. The triggers caused by behaviors, feelings and situations. He drew a picture for me showing that I have established neural pathways in my brain (physically) that take me to that store across the street based on past responses to those triggers. By establishing new responses, you are paving new neural pathways, and letting the old roads decay in the process. Keep it up! All it takes is practice!
Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 1,915
Originally Posted by stavros212
I'm not gonna lie, today is hard.
Certain people who have "driven me to drink" in the past have brought up the same emotions, and my first inclination in these situations is to go across the street, buy a twelve pack and forget about my problems. ...
I'm not going to drink today, but I'm just saying it's not easy.
Day 8.
Certain people who have "driven me to drink" in the past have brought up the same emotions, and my first inclination in these situations is to go across the street, buy a twelve pack and forget about my problems. ...
I'm not going to drink today, but I'm just saying it's not easy.
Day 8.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 42
Originally Posted by Charon
Glad you held on. One thing to think about when that urge comes - Do you really want to go through that 8 days again? Life ain't easy - but life plus early sobriety is even harder. The farther you get from the last drink the easier it gets and the worse it will be to go through early recovery again. There are lots of excuses to drink but no reasons.
And that's right - they are not reasons, only excuses.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: the high desert
Posts: 887
Originally Posted by stavros212
I'm not gonna lie, today is hard.
Certain people who have "driven me to drink" in the past have brought up the same emotions, .
Certain people who have "driven me to drink" in the past have brought up the same emotions, .
You have to remember, you cannot control what other people do or say. How you react is up to you. No one but ourselves makes us drink. Other people simply do not have that power over us, unless we give it to them.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: MD
Posts: 91
Originally Posted by GettingStronger2
Congrats on day 8 and not buying the beer!
You have to remember, you cannot control what other people do or say. How you react is up to you. No one but ourselves makes us drink. Other people simply do not have that power over us, unless we give it to them.
You have to remember, you cannot control what other people do or say. How you react is up to you. No one but ourselves makes us drink. Other people simply do not have that power over us, unless we give it to them.
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