How to beat cravings before they start...
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Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 87
How to beat cravings before they start...
I'm looking for tips on how to beat cravings before they start. Everyday at pretty much the same time I get the urge to start drinking....it's like clockwork. I'm looking for suggestions on how to stop or minimize those cravings before they even start. Lots of the threads I have read suggest drinking plenty of fluids, eat something, and find something to occupy yourself.
Any other suggestions? Typically I start to get the itch while at work around noon or even a bit earlier. My work days are pretty hectic and unpredictable, so I can't really just stop what I'm doing and zone out with a movie or something like that.
Any suggestions are appreciated.
Any other suggestions? Typically I start to get the itch while at work around noon or even a bit earlier. My work days are pretty hectic and unpredictable, so I can't really just stop what I'm doing and zone out with a movie or something like that.
Any suggestions are appreciated.
I used to do a form of cognitive therapy on myself. Once I understood the nature of cravings and that they're just thoughts, I would dismiss them as not an option.
The voice in your head is trying to get you to drink... nope AV, not today! You're not going to destroy my life.
I realize you're at work, so exercising or going for a walk isn't going to work for you. You may want to check out Smart Recovery and learn how your brain processes drinking thoughts and what to do.
The voice in your head is trying to get you to drink... nope AV, not today! You're not going to destroy my life.
I realize you're at work, so exercising or going for a walk isn't going to work for you. You may want to check out Smart Recovery and learn how your brain processes drinking thoughts and what to do.
You're not shackled to not drinking, you're free from drinking
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: MN
Posts: 1,406
When you get a craving can you go for a 15 minute walk? That helps me. Also, if you get craving at a specific time do something at that time which is different than you normally do.
In my opinion, not going to happen. You are going to get thoughts of drinking. Better to plan what you are going to do when they strike than how to preempt them.
I accepted that obsessive thoughts of drinking were going to dominate my early sobriety. They are thoughts. Thoughts I could choose to ignore. There were things I could do that would distract me from the thoughts until they passed, but I managed to get through by realizing that "thoughts" of drinking couldn't make me drink.
Best way to get rid of cravings? Stay sober, because they subside. Drink...and they are back with a vengeance.
I accepted that obsessive thoughts of drinking were going to dominate my early sobriety. They are thoughts. Thoughts I could choose to ignore. There were things I could do that would distract me from the thoughts until they passed, but I managed to get through by realizing that "thoughts" of drinking couldn't make me drink.
Best way to get rid of cravings? Stay sober, because they subside. Drink...and they are back with a vengeance.
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Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,869
In my opinion, not going to happen. You are going to get thoughts of drinking. Better to plan what you are going to do when they strike than how to preempt them.
I accepted that obsessive thoughts of drinking were going to dominate my early sobriety. They are thoughts. Thoughts I could choose to ignore. There were things I could do that would distract me from the thoughts until they passed, but I managed to get through by realizing that "thoughts" of drinking couldn't make me drink.
Best way to get rid of cravings? Stay sober, because they subside. Drink...and they are back with a vengeance.
I accepted that obsessive thoughts of drinking were going to dominate my early sobriety. They are thoughts. Thoughts I could choose to ignore. There were things I could do that would distract me from the thoughts until they passed, but I managed to get through by realizing that "thoughts" of drinking couldn't make me drink.
Best way to get rid of cravings? Stay sober, because they subside. Drink...and they are back with a vengeance.
For me it wasn't so much the thoughts or cravings, it was FEAR. I was afraid. I was afraid that these thoughts were going to make me do something I didn't want to.
When I wrote that down, it dawned on me how truly ridiculous that sounded. Nothing can make me do something I don't want to do. I decided a long time ago that I didn't drink, and wouldn't drink. So the cravings ( I get them still from time to time) don't make me afraid any more, because I know what I will do about them. Absolutely nothing. They go away all by themselves, and I stay sober.
Learn to observe your thoughts without emotion. Like watching them on TV, say, with a curious but uninvested attitude. Then accept that they come and then they go.
When I wrote that down, it dawned on me how truly ridiculous that sounded. Nothing can make me do something I don't want to do. I decided a long time ago that I didn't drink, and wouldn't drink. So the cravings ( I get them still from time to time) don't make me afraid any more, because I know what I will do about them. Absolutely nothing. They go away all by themselves, and I stay sober.
Learn to observe your thoughts without emotion. Like watching them on TV, say, with a curious but uninvested attitude. Then accept that they come and then they go.
This time around, I had no cravings in very early sobriety and I attribute it to drinking TONS of water...all day, every day, every chance I got. I also ate whatever I was in the mood for, no matter what it was. GOOD LUCK!
carl nailed it. we can't AVOID cravings, it's part of the gig.....when we abuse our bodies and minds with substances over a long time, they developed a dependency - and then in recovery we take that substance AWAY, and the body/mind is like HEY, wait a damn minute, where's my stuff???? you have faithfully put "stuff" in my system for years and now I WANT MORE.
you are fortunate in that you know when you witching hour is....and what the triggers are.
very first thing, you HAVE to commit to not using, NO MATTER WHAT. just for today, ain't gonna happen, period. then you start reworking your routine....getting some food in you during the day, sometimes cravings are soothed a bit with something sweet, as our blood sugars get all wonky. if its allowed, having headphones on and listening to pod casts, AA/NA speakers, even just a good ole Audiobook, to keep the brain engaged in healthy actions.
knowing that you have an after work PLAN.....it can be simple things like a different route home....or a new stop on the way home....hit a meeting.....take the dog for a walk....line up small projects around the house, those things you always planned to get to SOMEDAY.
and then there is one of my fave articles about cravings, referred to as Flare Up Periods that can cycle with great predictability in many. Flare Up Periods
(butt trusted is a take off on the 2nd tradition of AA: 2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as
He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but
trusted servants; they do not govern).
you are fortunate in that you know when you witching hour is....and what the triggers are.
very first thing, you HAVE to commit to not using, NO MATTER WHAT. just for today, ain't gonna happen, period. then you start reworking your routine....getting some food in you during the day, sometimes cravings are soothed a bit with something sweet, as our blood sugars get all wonky. if its allowed, having headphones on and listening to pod casts, AA/NA speakers, even just a good ole Audiobook, to keep the brain engaged in healthy actions.
knowing that you have an after work PLAN.....it can be simple things like a different route home....or a new stop on the way home....hit a meeting.....take the dog for a walk....line up small projects around the house, those things you always planned to get to SOMEDAY.
and then there is one of my fave articles about cravings, referred to as Flare Up Periods that can cycle with great predictability in many. Flare Up Periods
(butt trusted is a take off on the 2nd tradition of AA: 2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as
He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but
trusted servants; they do not govern).
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