PinotNOmore

Hello all! 18 days sober here! The last few days were amazing! I felt great, had little to no cravings, and really felt like things were leveling out! Then today, I was cleaning house and BAM the cravings kicked in! I guess I used to drink while cleaning in the evenings, but this was midday and totally out of the blue. I even went as far as to send a message to my husband asking if he would be mad if I drank tonight. He didn't respond before I changed my mind and bought a root beer instead. Felt pretty good when I got back home and then got some pretty depressing news about an illness in a family member of mine and now the urge is back, and it's taking everything I have not to hop in the car and go get a bottle of red! I know it won't help anything and I know I will feel terrible in the morning but this is driving me crazy! I ate dinner and drank a big glass of water hoping that would curb the desire, but no luck! I keep telling myself that normal people who want a glass of wine on a Thursday night, just have a glass of wine on a Thursday night and no big deal. But would I have a glass if I bought a bottle? Probably not. And there lies the problem! Hoping this feeling flies away as soon as possible!

sugarbear1

Try journaling through your feelings. Also Urge Surfing, it's online. You CAN get through these cravings!!

FormerWineGirl

Congratulations on 18 days! I know the cravings can be tough, but you can get through it. I just posted on SIS's thread about how indulging in sweets (especially chocolate) was very helpful to me early on. Oh, and I used to drink while cleaning house also. That was a habit that was tough to break.

FLCamper

Good job on the 18 days and even better job on sticking with root beer.
I used to start cleaning and start on a bottle of wine. Within 20 minutes both were done!

Dee74

I just posted this to someone else PNM - some great coping things here:

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...-cravings.html

PinotNOmore

Thank you all! I've stayed home which means no drinking, and instead I'm on the verge of a panic attack. Ugg. What a mess. My family member has been diagnosed with cancer and thanks to Google, I've just convinced myself I probably have it too. I haven't felt this anxious in months even with the drinking. I really should go to bed, but my mind is racing and I've going so much housework to do. Thanks for taking time to respond. I'm alone with the kids tonight so it's nice having someone to talk to when feeling so out of sorts!

Ruby2

Have some ice cream. Go to bed.

Back before Christmas my dad was in the hospital for an extended time. I had thoughts of drinking. Then I thought to myself that my Dad, who at that time was in really bad shape, wasn't drinking because of his condition, why should I drink over his condition? I mean, seemed a bit selfish to me.

It will pass. Tough it out because you know that one isn't ever enough. Why start over?

Ruby2

I'm sorry about your family member. Cancer sucks. Don't check Dr. Google anymore tonight. Why not find a relaxation video on YouTube? I sat at my desk this afternoon at work with one playing.

Soberwolf

Congrats on 18 days

least

Congrats on 18 days sober! Don't drink now!!

soberclover

I think the question is "would YOU be mad if you drank" not if your husband would be mad if you drank

Soberween

Cleaning house was always a huge trigger for me. Especially once the house was spic and span, I loved nothing more than sitting down and have a nice glass of wine. The problem was that nice glass of wine ended up being not so nice. It was actually toxic crap I was putting in my body that left me soul crushingly depressed the next day in my clean house.

Dropsie

It sounds trite, but Never Doubt the Decision, even when its hard. Especially when its hard.

Stop cleaning.

Delilah1

Congratulations on 18 days! There is lots of great advise above, I am particularly fond of Dropsie's suggestion to stop cleaning. :-)

I'm sorry to hear about your family member, cancer is definitely scary, but there are so many treatments available, I will send some prayers your way.

As for Dr. Google, I am guilty of researching symptoms I am having, and somehow have myself dead or dying by the end of the night. Why don't you call your doctor today and make an appointment for a physical, it might be a good time since you are now sober, and will help alleviate any worries you have.

Hope all urges are gone today.

❤️Delilah

nomis

Woohoo, way to go Pinot!!! 18 days is amazing, you've done hardest part, now the trick is to keep doing it.

I feel your anxiety, something most of struggle with to some degree. Lots of good recomendations from others on how to deal with it. Basically, the part of your brain that regulates the flight, fight or freeze mechanism has gone off the reservation (the amygdala). I like to run a hot bubble bath, light a few candles and incense, put on some relaxing zen music and breath deeply for 20-30 mins to calm myself down.

Again, way to go, so proud of you!!!