chowchow

I just wanted to say I really want to drink today. I have the "it's the weekend" mind set. It will be my first weekend in who knows how long without drinking. My mind is telling me it is no big deal.

How do I conquer this??? I hate it.

tekink

Find something to distract yourself. It's hard at first, resetting things would only make it harder.

I plan ahead now so that I know I have lots of distractions to keep my mind off of things.

SoberLeigh

Thanks for sharing, chowchow.

The first weekend can be tough but it is possible to get through it with your sobriety well intact.

I would definitely avoid your usual haunts (bars, clubs, etc.) and any drinking buddies.

Plan sober activities for yourself; go walking, biking, exercising; read a book; prepare a batch of soup or chili for freezing, etc. Take in a movie or a play.

Take lots of warm baths, etc.

Stay close to us.

We care.

Have lots of good food ready at home as well as some treats.

REM700

First weekend is tough.. First everything is tough, birthday, holiday, vacation, dinner out, etc... The more firsts that you conquer, the easier it becomes. I spent my first weekend on a PlayStation 4 that I hadn't touched in ages. It really took my mind off of the drink. Pick up an old hobby, go for a long walk, eat some comfort food.. You can get through it.. Minute by minute, hour by hour..

TYG2

Hi chowchow...
I hear you. Seems weekends are a VERY common theme. I start by reading the posts and replys about weekend cravings. It helps me alot. Also I say over and over "Not Today Satan" . Do you use affirmations?
Be stronger than the bottle since you two are divorced now.
Best of luck

ardy

yep keep busy exercise and wear yourself out.. it helps.. I drive Eddie Lee nuts.. how can you have all this energy.. he just does not know.. when I lay down for the night Iam out like a light and up at 4am to do it again..

Emjay2018

Hello Chowchow.

Early recovery sucks doesn't it! That's why I have been putting if off.

The good things is we only have to go through this once (unless you're a bit daft like me!).

Hang in there. We can do this.

DreamCatcher17

Hey CowChow!

The first weekend can be a challenge. My first weekend I watched a lot of TV, slept and I was on here reading and posting until I fell asleep.

You can do it!

Anna

Plan.

My suggestion is to plan something very different from your normal weekend routine.

faith823

Hello Chowchow ,
Gosh I went through the exact same thing on Wed. I am so grateful I pushed through. Maybe have a big bowl of icecream? That can kill the craving or the taste for alcohol. Hot bath is a great idea with some hot tea and a good movie. Evening night time hours fly by. I am not sure if you work but consider your off hours to nurture yourself. I remember thinking I had to attribute every moment off work to drinking because I was off- couldn't drink at work. this is my time to in reality poison myself .. How insane.... Relax be lazy and you can do whatever you want to do this weekend and in life- Just don't drink.
You will be so happy tomorrow waking up refreshed., starting your weekend out on a positive accomplished feeling. Just for today we can do this.

2ndhandrose

Make a plan for a nice dinner, movie at home, something enjoyable.

I made the mistake of not planning for my first sober Friday night. It was miserable and I just had to sit in it. Hindsight.

I am 3 years sober and still plan a nice dinner for Friday nights.

JustTony

ChowChow,

I simply stopped thinking about what it would be like to drink and concentrated on what man I wanted to be going forwards.

I visualised what I would look like. What I would fill my time doing. How I would be considered. The books I would read. The people I would meet. The places I would go. All the opportunities and growth that alcohol stripped from my life.

Then - before I knew it - I didn't want to drink anymore.

And then - before I knew it again - the weekend was over.

Done4today

Good luck Chowchow,

This part of early recovery is difficult. All our "normal" thinking wants us to do what we always did, but we know we can't. A lot of good ideas from other posters. This is why the first year of sobriety is so tough. Not only are we breaking away from addiction but habits and lifestyles as well. So do whatever it takes to stay away from booze.

needsumsupport

My first weekend too, this site shows us we are not alone!

Dee74

hows it going chow chow?

D