14 Days Sober - Any Advise?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: morehead
Posts: 8
14 Days Sober - Any Advise?
Today was my 14th day sober. I came so close to drinking today. One minute I'm thinking wow, this is day 14 and the next, that nagging waste of me was planning how I could just go over, pick up some beer, I started planning how I could excuse myself and go out to my office and drink and watch movies or whatever all the rest of the day and wouldn't that feel good...
It happened so fast, my mind just clicked, like someone flicked a switch and that old mindset started gearing up. It took me off guard and I almost, I mean I came so close to doing it, wtf?
It took real effort to force myself to remember why I quit, to remind myself that there is no holiday I can take away from being a drunk that there's no drinking away the truth. Its as if my own mind is my own worse enemy, just waiting for me to relax, to get complacent so it can pull a fast one.
My questions to anyone out there that would like to answer is this, how long does this go on? Will it ever get easier? And I suppose most importantly, do you have any advise?
I am so grateful I didn't drink today! One day at a time I suppose, one day at a time.
It happened so fast, my mind just clicked, like someone flicked a switch and that old mindset started gearing up. It took me off guard and I almost, I mean I came so close to doing it, wtf?
It took real effort to force myself to remember why I quit, to remind myself that there is no holiday I can take away from being a drunk that there's no drinking away the truth. Its as if my own mind is my own worse enemy, just waiting for me to relax, to get complacent so it can pull a fast one.
My questions to anyone out there that would like to answer is this, how long does this go on? Will it ever get easier? And I suppose most importantly, do you have any advise?
I am so grateful I didn't drink today! One day at a time I suppose, one day at a time.
Better when never is never
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Wisconsin near Twin Cities
Posts: 1,745
I just posed a similar question yesterday with tons of great advise here: http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...newcomers.html
From what I have heard it definitely gets better and easier with time and a good program.
From what I have heard it definitely gets better and easier with time and a good program.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: England
Posts: 808
What you are describing is a classic case of the Addictive Voice (AV) trying to get you to drink again, something that has helped me and many others is Addictive Voice Recognition Technique (AVRT), it's outlined in the book Rational Recovery, maybe you could check that out?
It takes a while for the AV to quiet down. All you have to do is recognise it for what it is, ignore it, and get on with your sober life
Well done on 14 friend!
It takes a while for the AV to quiet down. All you have to do is recognise it for what it is, ignore it, and get on with your sober life
Well done on 14 friend!
Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Gatineau, QC, CA
Posts: 5,100
Originally Posted by LonelyShadow 
What you are describing is a classic case of the Addictive Voice (AV) trying to get you to drink again, something that has helped me and many others is Addictive Voice Recognition Technique (AVRT), it's outlined in the book Rational Recovery, maybe you could check that out? It takes a while for the AV to quiet down. All you have to do is recognise it for what it is, ignore it, and get on with your sober life Well done on 14 friend!
Well done on 14 friend!Learning to separate yourself from the beast and recognizing it's voice is critical. Basically any idea that is aimed at drinking comes from it. It is very cunning, patient, and primal in it's needs. Instant gratification it's only goal.
Wu Wei
Join Date: May 2014
Location: So. California, USA
Posts: 351
Originally Posted by Alcanon
My questions to anyone out there that would like to answer is this, how long does this go on? Will it ever get easier? And I suppose most importantly, do you have any advise?
It definitely gets easier as time goes by, and, I don't drink. Congratulations on 14 days, hold on and it will get better soon. We need you.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Gloucester, UK
Posts: 93
Well done for not giving in. I'm on 20 days today and haven't experienced my AV yet. I'm dreading it to be honest, and planning what I will do now.
- eat some nice food
- down a pint of juice (might work?)
- go for a bike ride (new cycle ordered yesterday)
- walk in the woods
Well done for not breaking!
- eat some nice food
- down a pint of juice (might work?)
- go for a bike ride (new cycle ordered yesterday)
- walk in the woods
Well done for not breaking!
Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: C.C. Ma.
Posts: 3,697
It’s so beautiful. Hi and congratulations for your sober time.
How long does it last? That’s an individual thing and their thinking process. I don’t recommend positive thinking ideas regarding consuming alcohol. Try thinking REMEMBER WHEN the feelings were not very good that got you here.
I needed to remember for a few months, every day, that if I didn’t pick up the first drink I wouldn’t have to try to get sober AGAIN.
I was lucky because I got very involved in AA and got my guidance in long term recovery because stopping drinking is the start of the journey.
BE WELL
How long does it last? That’s an individual thing and their thinking process. I don’t recommend positive thinking ideas regarding consuming alcohol. Try thinking REMEMBER WHEN the feelings were not very good that got you here.
I needed to remember for a few months, every day, that if I didn’t pick up the first drink I wouldn’t have to try to get sober AGAIN.
I was lucky because I got very involved in AA and got my guidance in long term recovery because stopping drinking is the start of the journey.
BE WELL
Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 290
Hi Alcanon,
With time I'm becoming better at recognising my Addictive Voice.
It’s when I'm feeling good about things that it can really kick in. I find that if I stop for a few moments and recognise it for what it is that it helps a lot. The beast will view my life while drinking through very rose tinted glasses. The reality is that alcohol took over my life completely but since quitting things are infinitely better.
It’s completely normal to get caught off guard at times but the important thing is that you came through it and didn’t drink so a huge congrats. Each time this happens your AV takes a good kicking and loses some of its power.
14 days is no small achievement so a big congrats.
You can do this
With time I'm becoming better at recognising my Addictive Voice.
It’s when I'm feeling good about things that it can really kick in. I find that if I stop for a few moments and recognise it for what it is that it helps a lot. The beast will view my life while drinking through very rose tinted glasses. The reality is that alcohol took over my life completely but since quitting things are infinitely better.
It’s completely normal to get caught off guard at times but the important thing is that you came through it and didn’t drink so a huge congrats. Each time this happens your AV takes a good kicking and loses some of its power.
14 days is no small achievement so a big congrats.
You can do this
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: morehead
Posts: 8
Sober Plan?
Originally Posted by soberwolf
Have you got a sober plan bud
Anyway, what do you mean by sober plan?
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,780
It took me several months for the 'voice' to quiet down and then go away. What helped me the most was practicing gratitude every day. Pretty hard to want to drink when I'm so grateful for all that's good in my life.
Do your best
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 67,047
A sober plan is things you will do to remain sober whether its aa avrt sr
it could involve reading keeping a journal writing gratitude lists seeing a addiction counsellor doing group
therapy seeing your Dr regularly discussing things
it could involve a new course of education it could be finding new sober hobbies & pastimes
having an exit plan for gatherings & parties
knowing what to do in times of urge & cravings
Basically its things to help you in your sobriety
it could involve reading keeping a journal writing gratitude lists seeing a addiction counsellor doing group
therapy seeing your Dr regularly discussing things
it could involve a new course of education it could be finding new sober hobbies & pastimes
having an exit plan for gatherings & parties
knowing what to do in times of urge & cravings
Basically its things to help you in your sobriety
Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 32
Hi and great decision to quit the booze!
In my 30+ years of drinking, I've tried to quit dozens of times (futile attempts). I've also tried moderating dozens of times. Needless to say I always wound up in the same place.
What makes this time different?
1. I've accepted that I'm an alcoholic and can never moderate.
2. I'm ready to face the reasons WHY I drank.
3. I stopped looking at alcohol as my friend. That ship has sailed ages ago. It is my enemy and out to ruin me.
4. I need guidance...I can't do this alone.
In my 30+ years of drinking, I've tried to quit dozens of times (futile attempts). I've also tried moderating dozens of times. Needless to say I always wound up in the same place.
What makes this time different?
1. I've accepted that I'm an alcoholic and can never moderate.
2. I'm ready to face the reasons WHY I drank.
3. I stopped looking at alcohol as my friend. That ship has sailed ages ago. It is my enemy and out to ruin me.
4. I need guidance...I can't do this alone.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,442
Congrats on 14 days alcanon
The important thing is you reacted properly and you made the correct decision. Thats kind of automatic response was with me a while but it got a lot better after 30 days and it got weaker and weaker every time I defeated it
you're doing ok
D
The important thing is you reacted properly and you made the correct decision. Thats kind of automatic response was with me a while but it got a lot better after 30 days and it got weaker and weaker every time I defeated it
you're doing ok
D
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: morehead
Posts: 8
Originally Posted by soberwolf
A sober plan is things you will do to remain sober whether its aa avrt sr
it could involve reading keeping a journal writing gratitude lists seeing a addiction counsellor doing group
therapy seeing your Dr regularly discussing things
it could involve a new course of education it could be finding new sober hobbies & pastimes
having an exit plan for gatherings & parties
knowing what to do in times of urge & cravings
Basically its things to help you in your sobriety
it could involve reading keeping a journal writing gratitude lists seeing a addiction counsellor doing group
therapy seeing your Dr regularly discussing things
it could involve a new course of education it could be finding new sober hobbies & pastimes
having an exit plan for gatherings & parties
knowing what to do in times of urge & cravings
Basically its things to help you in your sobriety
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
