Angela1234

So I made it to my ridiculously early workout class this morning ! This was 100% because I didn't drink last night!

Tonight poses a different challenge: it's my night off. This used to be a reason for drinks ( I can rationalize drinking for any situation) so I'm trying to keep busy with chores ect. But "the voice" is still trying to tell me why a drink is deserved ( I still don't know when alcohol became a reward?)

What do you tell the voice when it speaks to you?

lonestarTH

I take the voice to a meeting and make it shut up

hypochondriac

Ignore it, tell it you don't drink, so any suggestion to the contrary is irrelevant.

I stopped engaging with that voice because I always lost those arguments.

Distraction always helps too though x

Jitterbugg

Think about the other 'voice' that speaks to you the next morning when you feel like sh*t after drinking!

Luling

Yes, that voice loves to tell me that I deserve a drink. My alcohol voice must be pretty out of shape, because it shuts right the hell up when I'm exercising. If I'm too tired to really work out, an easy stroll tends to help.

Deserto

Distractions are good, as Hypo said. Tell it you have other plans. Maybe a 9 pm film is in order?

Angela1234

Thanks! I think I'll go for a walk while my laundry is drying. Thanks everyone! Just posting those thoughts help and I appreciate your comments. *telling the voice to shut up as we speak*

forabetterlife

Angela, I am on day one again..and I think we just have to spend most of our days and nights at first telling it to shut up! We know better, we know how it always ends up, an its' much, much better waking up knowing you made it through another day.

Angela1234

I just keep telling myself how good I'll feel tomorrow! Another glass of water for me!

scrambled2012

I remind myself that when I drink, my irresponcibilty could cause harm to those around me--things and events I can't foresee, if I am not fully alert like an adult should be, could result in great harm. I have proven that when I drink, I drink "too much." Therefore it is my duty to not drink. No argument by the AV can change this fact.

sugarbear1

In early recovery, I'd tell it that I would compromise and "maybe" entertain it tomorrow, but today, now, I choose to ignore it. Luckily, tomorrow just becomes another "today." It worked, then I worked the steps of AA.

Angela1234

Thanks everyone! I made it through another day because of you all. My apartment is spotless and I have a run to look forward to in the morning
Goodnight !

Saskia

Welcome to the Day 2 subgroup (you and me so far as I know). Hang in there and tell that danged voice to go away. Or try visualizing putting a large piece of duct tape over that voice so you won't need to listen to it

artsoul

Good job, Angela! Those cravings can get really uncomfortable, but I just kept telling myself they wouldn't last forever. Usually a good night's sleep (and waking up the morning without a hangover) put me in a positive frame of mind again.

It really does get easier over time, too......

lilac0721

Sounds like you're doing well. I distract myself. Go workout, for a walk, do a chore, etc. Eventually the thought about drinking goes away and is often replaced by a thought about how glad I am that I didn't drink!

I also like to workout early in the morning. Reminding myself of how great my days are after being started with an early morning workout really helps to keep me away from booze, too.

Inca

Hi Angela and Saskia- Day 2 for me too! Ha ha, I just posted one similar about the AV speaking to me as I was getting ready to crawl into bed. It was telling me to go to the store and get some wine to celebrate. Thanks for posting, I don't feel as crazy. I do feel like telling it to shut up though. I'm trying to throw myself into exercise this time around. Last time I was sober to a few months but I didn't have enough filling up my time. I hadn't gotten to the point yet where I could sit back and say to myself "you can have all of this" or you can have a "bottle". Im trying to build that this time around. Glad we're in this together.