Why now?
Why now?
I'm on day 340 and fighting the craving to drink. I'm not really sure why. Work has been normal and life seems to be churning right along. So why am I having terrible urges to drink? I have alcohol in the house, always have for socializing and I know it sounds like a bad idea but it hasn't bothered me until now. I'll fall asleep and not have a drink but I am just so confused. When do these urges go away? Is this what I'll have to deal with forever?
EndGame
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 4,677
Coming up on a year is often accompanied by strong feelings and unwanted thoughts that can make us feel overwhelmed. And for many of us, our way of managing intense thoughts and feelings is to drink.
Being sober for a full year is great, but it also may mean that I've made a commitment to sobriety, and that there's no turning back. "Am I really not going to drink again?" "Since I made it this long, am I actually going to stay sober?" "Am I now responsible for staying sober for the rest of my life?" "What happens if I want to drink again after a full year of sobriety?"
If you don't have a support system in place, now would be a good time to start. If you do, then put it to good use.
I turned my 340 days into twenty five years. You don't need to project that far into the future, but each day you stay sober is another day you have a chance to live a better life.
Being sober for a full year is great, but it also may mean that I've made a commitment to sobriety, and that there's no turning back. "Am I really not going to drink again?" "Since I made it this long, am I actually going to stay sober?" "Am I now responsible for staying sober for the rest of my life?" "What happens if I want to drink again after a full year of sobriety?"
If you don't have a support system in place, now would be a good time to start. If you do, then put it to good use.
I turned my 340 days into twenty five years. You don't need to project that far into the future, but each day you stay sober is another day you have a chance to live a better life.
I really have only relied on myself for recovery. I know groups could be a good help for me but I'm so busy training all summer I haven't had time. I've been cycling, it use to be a passion before alcohol took over. It's been a good year.
Guest
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: The Deep South
Posts: 14,636
340 days... that's tremendous! Good for you for posting here for support. It's good to know when to reach out for some help.
My advice is to just urge surf your way right through this particular tough one just as you did for any others that popped up along the way... and if this one's the hardest, well it might help to know that an urge passes fairly quickly. If it keeps coming up, maybe tell yourself that it is only an automatic urge to do something that no longer serves you well in life... and now you have other ways of coping. Remind yourself of that. And never allow yourself to rationalize drinking as an option.
My advice is to just urge surf your way right through this particular tough one just as you did for any others that popped up along the way... and if this one's the hardest, well it might help to know that an urge passes fairly quickly. If it keeps coming up, maybe tell yourself that it is only an automatic urge to do something that no longer serves you well in life... and now you have other ways of coping. Remind yourself of that. And never allow yourself to rationalize drinking as an option.
By all means it's easier to beat the cravings now. I have considered going back to church, it's been over a decade. I think it could be a part of the missing piece. Anything is better than drinking.
Guest
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: The Deep South
Posts: 14,636
Good going, Redviper! I'm at about the same point, 11 months sober. You can do it. The old cravings can pop up when you reach boundary-events/milestones. Just be mindful...be aware but don't obsess about it. SR is here if you need support.
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