I want this to be my last day 1
Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,439
I'm don't agree with some of the stuff in AA, but one of my favorite sayings is "It works if you work it (and you're worth it!)"
I don't know what your previous plan was, but the thing is that we have to be dedicated to sticking to whatever plan we choose. Your plan could be to jump up and down on one foot and wave your hands around while singing the national anthem if you felt like drinking. And if you actually DID it, you'd be doing that instead of drinking and you'd make it.
I do think it's important to have a good plan, but being dedicated to staying sober is also pretty important. No plan can anticipate everything your going to face, but if you've decided that you're going to stay sober no matter what, then you can find a way through whatever challenges come up.
That said, there was some basic stuff that helped me a lot.
-Eating healthy, regular meals and not letting myself get too hungry during the first several months
-Getting some exercise. Even getting out and going for a walk daily helps.
-Posting on SR if I felt bad. (Post BEFORE you drink. If you really think you want to drink, just agree to delay it and hour or two. Come here and post and wait for some replies and then maybe you'll want to reconsider. Personally, I think a lot of people don't do that because they know that if they stop and come on here, they'll think twice and not drink and they really just want to drink instead. Which I totally get too. We all have this sick disease. We wouldn't be alcoholics/addicts if we didn't have these cravings and desire for alcohol and/or drugs. The thing is that those here obviously also have a desire to be sober and you have to give it a chance to reassert itself when those drinking thoughts come up.)
-Posting a TON on SR even when I didn't feel bad. Recovery is like a bank account. You have to put the money in BEFORE you need it.
-PMing people whose posts you really like on SR and perhaps developing a friendship.
-Writing down my plan for the day in a planner. Often, it was a lot of basic stuff, like three regular meals, chores, going on a walk, etc, but it helped me to keep on track and figure out what I needed to be doing each day.
-Focusing on gratitude and the benefits of sobriety.
-Control your thoughts. Thinking about how you can't drink or similar stuff is bound to make you feel miserable and left out. Think about the positives and how you're going to work to make your life better now that you're sober.
I don't know what your previous plan was, but the thing is that we have to be dedicated to sticking to whatever plan we choose. Your plan could be to jump up and down on one foot and wave your hands around while singing the national anthem if you felt like drinking. And if you actually DID it, you'd be doing that instead of drinking and you'd make it.
I do think it's important to have a good plan, but being dedicated to staying sober is also pretty important. No plan can anticipate everything your going to face, but if you've decided that you're going to stay sober no matter what, then you can find a way through whatever challenges come up.
That said, there was some basic stuff that helped me a lot.
-Eating healthy, regular meals and not letting myself get too hungry during the first several months
-Getting some exercise. Even getting out and going for a walk daily helps.
-Posting on SR if I felt bad. (Post BEFORE you drink. If you really think you want to drink, just agree to delay it and hour or two. Come here and post and wait for some replies and then maybe you'll want to reconsider. Personally, I think a lot of people don't do that because they know that if they stop and come on here, they'll think twice and not drink and they really just want to drink instead. Which I totally get too. We all have this sick disease. We wouldn't be alcoholics/addicts if we didn't have these cravings and desire for alcohol and/or drugs. The thing is that those here obviously also have a desire to be sober and you have to give it a chance to reassert itself when those drinking thoughts come up.)
-Posting a TON on SR even when I didn't feel bad. Recovery is like a bank account. You have to put the money in BEFORE you need it.
-PMing people whose posts you really like on SR and perhaps developing a friendship.
-Writing down my plan for the day in a planner. Often, it was a lot of basic stuff, like three regular meals, chores, going on a walk, etc, but it helped me to keep on track and figure out what I needed to be doing each day.
-Focusing on gratitude and the benefits of sobriety.
-Control your thoughts. Thinking about how you can't drink or similar stuff is bound to make you feel miserable and left out. Think about the positives and how you're going to work to make your life better now that you're sober.
A Day at a Time
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Grand Rapids MI
Posts: 6,435
When we are willing to do anything and then do it there is a pretty good chance we will stay sober. No one ever said we had to like it, agree wth it, or be comfortable with it but do it we must.
Recovery is about change which is seldom easy or fun but the rewards are beyond measure
Recovery is about change which is seldom easy or fun but the rewards are beyond measure
Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: California
Posts: 13,044
Welcome back!! I have 8 months sober after many previous day ones. I have found that reading and posting on here daily really helps. I also planned out every minute of the time I would normally drink for the first few weeks. I exercised, took my kids to the park, read, took bubble baths, spent lots of time on SR and did anything else besides drinking. I also avoided places/events where alcohol would be for the first few months. I just didn't trust myself to be around it yet, and didn't want to take any chances.
Join the September class, you will be surrounded by others who have decided to stop or stop again this month. It helps having people at the same point in their journeys.
You can do this!!!
❤️ Delilah
Join the September class, you will be surrounded by others who have decided to stop or stop again this month. It helps having people at the same point in their journeys.
You can do this!!!
❤️ Delilah
Blue Belt
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Soberville, USA
Posts: 4,174
Before i had the physical issues the helped me quit....it went like this....
When i started to feel good, i would crave a drink...
But, really the...good feeling...was anxiety ramping up.
I had no idea.
That anxiety feeling....comes on as....i have been good for x days....i can have a few....
Each time we get through that crave...we get stronger.
When we give in...we get weaker.
Since you know this....then there is a burden of failure.
Keep coming back. All day long. I do.
When i started to feel good, i would crave a drink...
But, really the...good feeling...was anxiety ramping up.
I had no idea.
That anxiety feeling....comes on as....i have been good for x days....i can have a few....
Each time we get through that crave...we get stronger.
When we give in...we get weaker.
Since you know this....then there is a burden of failure.
Keep coming back. All day long. I do.
Psalm 118:24
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ILLINOIS
Posts: 15,203
Your post reminds me why I stay sober. No hangovers, guilt, remorse and money spent foolishly today .
Everyday, I have to remind myself, what will a drink give me and what will a drink take away from me?
Thank you for posting
Everyday, I have to remind myself, what will a drink give me and what will a drink take away from me?
Thank you for posting
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,444
Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 166
How are you doing, soberlife? I had a lot of days like this. The best thing anyone told me when I finally got sober was, "You never have to feel this way again." They were a total stranger, but they were right. I haven't felt that way since.
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