hokey

People ask if I have a plan. My answer is no ... I don't but I am working on it every single day. My only plan right now is to not drink today. I'm only a week sober so I think that is a reasonable goal for right now. How will I deal with situations where alcohol is present? I won't even be there, so I won't need to have a plan for that ... yet. How will I deal with the triggers that will inevitably happen? Grind through them ... wait out the urge. Not really a plan, but it will get me through that moment. My plan right now is to go day by day, or hour by hour, or minute by minute and simply not drink.

I am hoping that one day I will have this clearly laid-out "plan" in my mind, but right now I just don't drink. I come here to SR and read a lot. I go to meetings every night and listen and learn. I think this is my way of coming up with a plan ... eventually Then my answer when someone asks me, will be YES I have a plan!

malcolmsloan

I think the emphatic "no," the clear decision to not drink, no matter what, is the foundation for any plan. Sounds like you have that in place. For me, this decision has allowed me to navigate the big/obvious temptations as well as the "sneak attacks," the unexpected AV ambushes. However, at 6 months, at least for me, it feels like my AV does not come around much: it really does not like "no."

You're doing great Hokey, keep it up.
Onward!

Dee74

I stayed away from tempting situations for a while hokey - It was a wise move and a good investment for my recovery.

there's no need to be a hermit tho - there's lots of things to do that don't necessarily need to involve alcohol.

D

FeenixxRising

It's not quite a plan, but AVRT is a tool you can carry with you and access 24/7. You may want to check it out on the Rational Recovery website. It's a quick read and I found the technique simple and effective.

And well done on your sobriety to date.

hokey

Dee .. thanks so much. It may sound like I'm being a hermit, but I'm not really LOL. I have lots to do to fill my time. I work full time, I have three horses, two cats, an a dog to care for and love , and I have some really great friends that don't drink like I used to drink. I'm far less of a hermit now than I was when I was drinking. I can actually get in my car and go somewhere after 3 in the afternoon. I used to be half plastered by then, so driving anywhere was out of the question. I am already doing more and getting out more than I was a week ago.

Feenix, I will check out AVRT. I have read on the subject before, but I feel today that I cannot read enough, so will revisit that site, thanks!

And Malcolm ... always love your supportive posts. I find such wisdom in them and with six months under your belt, I hope to follow your lead! Onward!!!