thomas11

I have known that music is a trigger for me for quite some time. I tried listening to some in the last couple weeks and its horrible. Am I not in recovery yet? I ask because when I listen to this music I want to drink.

ChloeRose63

Drink to 'get into the groove' or because the music drives you crazy? What kind of music are you talking about???

Outonthetiles

Music in some circumstances is still a definite trigger for me.

biminiblue

I had to switch to classical or Christian music only in the first few months of sobriety - not only because of the triggers, but also to settle my jangled nerves. Turns out I like that music still to this day. No negative messages, no sad songs...just pleasant music.

I do still listen to my MP3 player when I'm out on hikes, and it has regular music from back-in-the-day and it doesn't trigger me anymore, but I couldn't listen to it in early sobriety.

thomas11

some examples:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHzOOQfhPFg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKox...WwuIO4EBHyyvjt

Its American bands, may not even resonate with you.

LisainBC

You are not alone, I can’t listen to music at home, it makes me want to drink and if I am drinking it makes me drink too much. I can listen to music when driving and when running but that’s it. It's frustrating, but maybe in time it won't be a trigger?

biminiblue

Well, Sublime is pretty much party/drinking music, and No Doubt has that jagged rapid beat which would get my brain moving too quickly, so yeah it would make a drink sound like a good idea. You're just a week away from your relapse, don't test yourself!

Try some classical piano.

strategery

Why not do something else like working out when you're listening to the music? It is a bit triggering for awhile, but by doing something else, you start associating the music with something new.

Many of the songs in the aerobics classes I was attending when newly recovering were directly focused on alcohol, drinking shots and partying. They don't bother me any more.

tomsteve

imo, yes, you are IN recovery. if ya werent, ya wouldnt recognize the problem.

might want to find a different genre of music or not listen to music.

i couldnt listen to my preferred genre of music for a while after getting sober.

Berrybean

I always used to need background noise to distract me from my thoughts. Now I like to think, and really appreciate some peace and quiet.

I'd say that if you are changing then that could be an indicator that you are recovering.

BB

Fly N Buy

Crank some Frank!

DarklingSong

I just posted about this on the weekender thread.
Music can alter my mood massively. I was always drinking heavily when I went to see bands. But I just saw on the weekender thread that one of my favourite songwriters, that I would associate with serious drinking, is now sober. I think this will help me listen to him again now that I am not wasted all the time.....
Its amazing the power of associations when it comes to addiction.

thomas11

I shut it down. Makes me crazy.

Aellyce

Hi Jeff,

This is an older thread about a similar question. I also posted in it so won't repeat those things here, but it's a well-known phenomenon with biological explanations, if that helps at all
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...e-problem.html

I think it is a good idea to turn off the music that makes you feel that way, what would be the point of listening anyway? Hope you are doing well otherwise.

heavencanwait

Music can stir up old memories.

Dee74

Hey Jeff

you recently drank so I think there's something holding you back from full commitment.

I think the music is another manifestation of that.

would it be far to say you're torn between being the guy who used to listen to that music - and everything that came with it....and being the guy who wants to be sober?

or is it the life you miss?

D

thomas11

You are right. I need sleep at the moment and that' a good thing.

Dee74

I hope you'll expliore that idea a little more Jeff - if not here, somewhere.

As hard as it is to go poking around in that rawness, I think thats at the heart of your recovery journey.

D

hpdw

This is familiar , we have a patio area next to my man cave which is a lovely area to sit on a sunny day. When I was drinking there was always music on streaming through one of the phones to a bluetooth speaker . Now that i'm sober we still sit there and maybe my wife and or son will have a couple of drinks as i'm having my coffee or long soft drink , thats fine with me but when the music goes on it irritates me . I used to find my sons music uplifting and my wifes irish tunes quite cheery but now ,well as I say they annoy me .

thomas11

You bring up an interesting point, and I think its amazing that you could deduce that reasoning about me simply via a message board. You are correct, I want to be a responsible sober adult, but when I listen to music it takes me back 25 years when my life was like living in a bad movie. Did some crazy crazy things. I simply cannot listen to the music I listened to when I was young. All I ever really listen to in the car is talk radio, and it suits me fine.

Music tends to make me look backwards, and I feel I need to look forward.