Bad thoughts.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 177
Bad thoughts.
Here is Friday and my brain keeps fantasizing about drinking. You can do it - life is going so much better now - it will be fun - you deserve it - blah blah FREAKING blah - all lies.
It's like every moment I'm not consciously trying to focus on something else, by brain is right back there. And the more I try and focus on something else, of course, the more the thoughts creep in.
Suggestions for this annoying mental chatter???
It's like every moment I'm not consciously trying to focus on something else, by brain is right back there. And the more I try and focus on something else, of course, the more the thoughts creep in.
Suggestions for this annoying mental chatter???
Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Oxnard
Posts: 173
Continue to find ways to distract yourself from the desire to drink. I don't know much about cravings or an alcoholic voice, but from what others have shared distraction is your greatest asset in fighting that.
What are other activities that you like to do that don't involve drinking? Personally I like working out, riding my bike, hanging with friends, playing video games, watching a good movie, etc.
I don't know how early you are in your sobriety, but I hear a lot of people go through what you're thinking right now. Stay focused on your desire to stay sober and I am certain positive outcomes will arise.
What are other activities that you like to do that don't involve drinking? Personally I like working out, riding my bike, hanging with friends, playing video games, watching a good movie, etc.
I don't know how early you are in your sobriety, but I hear a lot of people go through what you're thinking right now. Stay focused on your desire to stay sober and I am certain positive outcomes will arise.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Midwest
Posts: 9,029
I distract distract distract. If I'm sitting, I start moving. In the beginning I washed a lot of dishes by hand. I had projects I got excited about that I worked on. Jigsaw puzzles which keep your eyes and hands busy work too.
I couldn't listen to that voice that told me I was better, why not? Or that I'd done so well, I deserved a drink or ten. Because do I actually deserve the pain that I'd inflict on myself were I to drink again? Autocorrect just tried to insert "drunk" for drink there. Inflict on myself were I to drunk again. And that's what would happen if I picked up "a" drink.
It gets easier to do battle against the thoughts as time goes on. In the beginning, just hang in there. Join the weekenders support thread here for some chatter.
I couldn't listen to that voice that told me I was better, why not? Or that I'd done so well, I deserved a drink or ten. Because do I actually deserve the pain that I'd inflict on myself were I to drink again? Autocorrect just tried to insert "drunk" for drink there. Inflict on myself were I to drunk again. And that's what would happen if I picked up "a" drink.
It gets easier to do battle against the thoughts as time goes on. In the beginning, just hang in there. Join the weekenders support thread here for some chatter.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: US
Posts: 5,095
Hey there
You're just a couple weeks sober right? It takes time to retrain the brain. I try to keep myself very busy....really taking extra effort into planning my time out, especially during drinking hours (which frankly can be anytime for me....strangely my alcohol cravings are strongest in the morning....sick!). Keep busy, find projects. If you're home and 'bored' try puzzles, adult coloring books (no they aren't naughty pics....that's what I thought at first
), clean, organize.
I know for me at only 51 days, laying low is ok. Just letting myself relax. Took me a long time to get here, gonna take a while to get out.
You're just a couple weeks sober right? It takes time to retrain the brain. I try to keep myself very busy....really taking extra effort into planning my time out, especially during drinking hours (which frankly can be anytime for me....strangely my alcohol cravings are strongest in the morning....sick!). Keep busy, find projects. If you're home and 'bored' try puzzles, adult coloring books (no they aren't naughty pics....that's what I thought at first
), clean, organize.I know for me at only 51 days, laying low is ok. Just letting myself relax. Took me a long time to get here, gonna take a while to get out.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Georgia
Posts: 3,062
Good advice here. The Friday evenings kicked me for awhile but over time it went away. For me I decided the only way to get over it is through it...meaning that I needed to tough it out...find things to keep me busy. And looking at your drinking as something you don't do vs. can't do is key. Your Saturday and Sunday mornings will become wonderful and peaceful as you wake up sober
Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,469
I agree with Least. Look at drinking as something you choose to not do, not something you can't do.
Make lifestyle changes that support your recovery.
Hang in there, it's worth the effort.
Make lifestyle changes that support your recovery.
Hang in there, it's worth the effort.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Midwest
Posts: 4,860
Originally Posted by Ruby2 
I distract distract distract. If I'm sitting, I start moving. In the beginning I washed a lot of dishes by hand. I had projects I got excited about that I worked on. Jigsaw puzzles which keep your eyes and hands busy work too.
I couldn't listen to that voice that told me I was better, why not? Or that I'd done so well, I deserved a drink or ten. Because do I actually deserve the pain that I'd inflict on myself were I to drink again? Autocorrect just tried to insert "drunk" for drink there. Inflict on myself were I to drunk again. And that's what would happen if I picked up "a" drink.
It gets easier to do battle against the thoughts as time goes on. In the beginning, just hang in there. Join the weekenders support thread here for some chatter.
I couldn't listen to that voice that told me I was better, why not? Or that I'd done so well, I deserved a drink or ten. Because do I actually deserve the pain that I'd inflict on myself were I to drink again? Autocorrect just tried to insert "drunk" for drink there. Inflict on myself were I to drunk again. And that's what would happen if I picked up "a" drink.
It gets easier to do battle against the thoughts as time goes on. In the beginning, just hang in there. Join the weekenders support thread here for some chatter.
Bear this in mind: When you think you "deserve" to be drinking, remember that you deserve better.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Reno, Nv
Posts: 411
One "trick" that I've used when I'm getting bombarded with negative thoughts is just to think to myself, "ok brain, you just go ahead and think whatever stupid things you want, but I'm going to watch you while you do it. Go!" Then I just sit and observe. Often, this shuts them up for awhile. Now I'm not saying you won't have to do this a hundred times...
but observing my thoughts this way and seeing them as essentially no different from the dreams I have at night has tended, over time, to diminish their importance, and their influence over me.
but observing my thoughts this way and seeing them as essentially no different from the dreams I have at night has tended, over time, to diminish their importance, and their influence over me.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: MN
Posts: 8,704
I go on the internet, pick a subject that intrigues me and find some documentaries or presentations on it. Keeps me busy. My latest is this group of people that seem to think the earth is flat. And they make a compelling argument. It currently has my brain bent into a pretzel!
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