Having trouble shaking my AV
 

So I haven't given in, have actually been doing positive things like working out and journaling.
But that fing AV KEEPS TAUNTING ME.
I will have one week tomorrow! Yay! The longest I've gone in months probably. Even when I was recovering from ER visits for dehydration from a virus (real virus, but exacerbated by drinking), I still drank a few days later!
Idk what I need, just to vent.
My mind keeps telling me to call a girlfriend for drinks. Wtf?

One week tomorrow! Think of how amazing you will feel when you wake up sober and have one week behind you. Your doing great!
The AV is a nasty little thing, tell it to be quiet. The last thing you want to do is go through withdrawals and face day 1 again.
You can do it! Stay strong! Things only get better as more time passes :)

Don't give in! It's just a feeling, just a thought. It doesn't have to become an action.

IF you can have a good have a good dinner and a big bowl of ice cream and then revisit the situation......

That's great advice. I will remember this when my AV is chatty.

I picture in my head myself in a nice warm home ... AV is that damned salesman trying to sell snake oil. Answer the door and say no thanks. If he keeps knocking after that, remind yourself of the crap he is selling and how it isn't worth it.

And have a friend you can all for support.

Beating it made me stronger, coming here and other places on recovery gave me power to keep it quiet, I find walks outside really help me as it's where I have always been at peace.

Congrads on your sobriety, we are pulling for you.

A craving or a thought is not a command :)
The more you get through those kinds of things without giving in the stronger you'll get.

white knuckling is not much fun tho - do you have a recovery plan?

D

when i was finally convinced that i can't drink, the cravings went away and life got much better. If you think you can still drink, you probably will. (but please don't) the girlfriends are a whole nuther reason to drink. BTW, I don't know about you, but I have much more fun with my girlfriend when I'm not drinking, try it sometime

KM0816, I'm 48 days sober. The first week or two was tough at times. Every passing week the AV/ craving has gotten less. I think if you hang in there it will be like for you.
Best Wishes

Something that might help you to deal with the AV is something easy I learned in a Mindfulness Course. When the thought comes, focus on your body. By that I mean the breeze on your face, the soft chair you're sitting in, the noises you hear at work, the feeling of a cotton shirt on your arms, that kind of thing. Focusing on your physical body should help get rid of the AV.

Thank you all! Made it through another night! 7 days tomorrow!
I will use your advice. I do have a plan, have been going to meetings and working out.
It all helps, which is why I haven't given in to the AV.

Congrats on your week, KMOB! Keep on keepin' on.

Remember this when the AV is yelling at you.
First of all, the cravings WILL go away whether you drink or not.
Secondly, eventually this will ALL get much easier. The kind of AV and cravings you have at one week fade to almost nothing over time. But you need continued sobriety. So dont slide back to day one. Go do something. Run, walk, visit a friend,
And remember HALT. if you are craving see if you are Hungry Angry Lonely, or Tired. If you are, fix that, then see how you feel.