Play that tape the second you experience an urge or craving
Do your best
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 67,047
Play that tape the second you experience an urge or craving
Evening guests, newcomers & friends
At any time in your early recovery or otherwise ... if you experience a urge or a craving please do a set number of things to give yourself a chance of overcoming the urge/craving
'Play the tape' - seeing the mental picture of yourself at the end of your drinking which counters the urge & craving with acceptance rather than focusing on that first drink (which by the way is the drink that does the most damage)
'Reach out' - Come straight here to newcomers & tell us that your experiencing an urge or craving again this is countering the craving with acceptance you can also phone a trusted friend in recovery if you have that available
Know that early recovery is full of up's & down's, twist & turns & esp urges & cravings it's a big part of it they can come at anytime & without warning so stay pro active in your recovery
If you have questions ask questions that's how I learned if you think it sounds silly don't worry just ask
Please know for the love of SR that it is truly possible... yes it is hard at first but then things start changing, not always good not always bad
you don't have to do this alone we were all newcomers once
At any time in your early recovery or otherwise ... if you experience a urge or a craving please do a set number of things to give yourself a chance of overcoming the urge/craving
'Play the tape' - seeing the mental picture of yourself at the end of your drinking which counters the urge & craving with acceptance rather than focusing on that first drink (which by the way is the drink that does the most damage)
'Reach out' - Come straight here to newcomers & tell us that your experiencing an urge or craving again this is countering the craving with acceptance you can also phone a trusted friend in recovery if you have that available
Know that early recovery is full of up's & down's, twist & turns & esp urges & cravings it's a big part of it they can come at anytime & without warning so stay pro active in your recovery
If you have questions ask questions that's how I learned if you think it sounds silly don't worry just ask
Please know for the love of SR that it is truly possible... yes it is hard at first but then things start changing, not always good not always bad
you don't have to do this alone we were all newcomers once
12 Step Recovered Alcoholic
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 6,613
Good advice but I think the best approach is to get in the habit of reaching out before any "cravings" hit. I have noticed that people who do reach out, or manage to play the tape through maybe by talking to someone first, almost never relapse.
The reason I say make the investment in support while you are feeling ok is that some folks like me, never think to play the tape through, or call someone when the obsession comes back. The sane thought that should have saved me never came. I go along with the idea that at certain times alcoholics of my type have no effective mental defense against the first drink.
It is very much the case for me that what I do today will determine whether or not I drink tomorrow.
The reason I say make the investment in support while you are feeling ok is that some folks like me, never think to play the tape through, or call someone when the obsession comes back. The sane thought that should have saved me never came. I go along with the idea that at certain times alcoholics of my type have no effective mental defense against the first drink.
It is very much the case for me that what I do today will determine whether or not I drink tomorrow.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: South Florida
Posts: 160
"Play the tape" works for me and I use it, because my mind sometimes romanticizes drinking. I will have a thought of enjoying wine with a friend and having a beautiful time, or a few beers out with friends on a weekend. Then I have to stop myself and play the tape through. That first drink will last me 5 minutes of my life, then I will want another, and another. Even if I can mentally control myself to only have one or two that time, it sets my mind up for a cycle that will eventually happen again. At some point my fun time out with friends will result in letting my guard down, drinking too much and being the most drunk one in the group, embarrassing myself, being hungover, calling out of work, and wanting to drink more to calm the hangover and anxiety. The reality is I have found, I can still enjoy that fun night out with friends, stick to water, and have just as good a time. These are a few examples what I go through, but playing the tape through helps me stay in reality.
Mini Novel Post Writer
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,649
Great post SW!
I've done this enough now that it goes directly to the aftermath and doesn't even take the pleasing part into consideration. When I see people drinking now, or a picture of alcohol in my mind's eye I see darkness. Maybe I've finally removed any inkling of denial, it would appear that way.
'Play the tape' - seeing the mental picture of yourself at the end of your drinking which counters the urge & craving with acceptance rather than focusing on that first drink (which by the way is the drink that does the most damage)
Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 4,553
Thanks for the thread SW. I had the tape played for me tonight at an AA meeting where a friend of mine there was in a terrible state.....if I had any kind of an inkling of a craving earlier it is gone. Was like seeing myself and it was heartbreaking.......
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