Need tips for dealing with CRAVINGS...
 

I am very early in sobriety after a relapse. I need some tips on how to handle cravings. I'm not sure if I'm just a weak person or what it is but my day can be going along great and all of a sudden I get this craving or obsession & it's almost like I would do ANYTHING to go get a drink! It's like I'm possessed! :-(

I KNOW I don't want to do it deep down in my heart but I do it anyway! Some of my triggers are anxiety, stress, anger....same as most people. I'm not a daily drinker...just binge a few times a week at bars in the evening.

I was sober for 5 & 1/2 years before my relapse last October. The last 4 years of that were without AA & I never craved alcohol. (AA wasn't for me...too negative & controlling) It's like I woke up "the monster" when I drank again last October.

Any advice? If you tell me to stand on my head to get thru a craving without drinking....I will!

Thx!

Jen

Sent from my iPhone using SoberRecovery

Welcome back Jen :)

I've collected some tips here:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...-cravings.html

D

Hey Jen, here goes....
- don't allow yourself to get too hungry, thirsty, tired
- recognise the cravings and try to work out what triggered a particular episode
- does it happen at a certain time of the day? change your routine a little or jump in with a fruit juice early
- feel free to substitute sweet foods for a while
- try taking 5 deep breaths, concentrating on how your body it moving. It helps you relax and can sabotage the cravings
- have a think about the coming day when you wake up, and plan on how you will deal with a craving when it arrives
- find some support, maybe from your doctor or a counsellor
- find an app that you can go to if you have a strong craving
- educate yourself as much as you can. I Googled, and got some great websites
- increase your exercise and eat healthy

Hope some of these resonate with you. Keep going, the cravings will lessen in time.

I used to get thru cravings by walking my dogs. :) The dogs loved all the walks and I stayed sober.:)