Rockfish75

Hello
Into fourth week
Why are cravings stronger than ever?
It's hurting
I won't drink. But has
Anyone got any suggestions to overcome?
I wasn't expecting this,
I'm missing the pub and me drinking buddies and the pints
All of it.
Damn it.
Best wishes
Dave

ulfr

can you go to AA maybe it might help

Rockfish75

I go to a recovery group. I'll speak to someone there tomorrow.

Nowsthetime

Cravings are Stronger than ever because you are doing this. Your AV is not happy because it is realizing that you are for real this time. It is throwing a fit just like a two-year-old would do. If you give in you will give it power, if you stay strong you will be flexing your sober muscles and winning.

There is a thread about urge surfing and also make sure to check HALT. Cravings are just thoughts and thoughts cannot control you. Acknowledge them and let them pass. I remember the first time I read that getting sober was easy but staying sober is the tricky part. That really made a lightbulb go off. It is now that you must start implementing your plan and all the tools that you have gathered here. You’re actually doing it right now by posting before drinking.

You are also glamorizing it. Why don’t you play the tape and then read all your posts from the beginning. It wasn’t so great in reality, was it? Keep your eye on the prize!

Talk it out! We are here to listen.

Rockfish75

Thanks Nowsthetime.
I'll go back over old posts and snap out of this
*Glamorizing" was the key word.
There'll be no more of that
Thank you so much.
Best wishes
Dave

PS. I read the "urge surfing" post. Perfect antidote

Nowsthetime

Yep... AV... jerk!

It is so easy to remember all the good times, the great times. It was so much fun at the beginning but then it went sour and it could never go back. I was a binge drinker and I just got tired of the alcoholic math and the mental gymnastics to try to moderate. It was so exhausting and not worth it. I would feel so bad the next day that I was out of commission and I didn’t want to be that kind a parent. I was just over it .

I try to work my plan every day and I read here and try to be active and proactive. This is the only place I use for support and I don’t have a lot of support in my real life since nobody thinks I am in alcoholic but I really don’t care because it is not about them, it is about me and my life and how I wanna live. I feel great and everything is going well for me, it’s awesome !!!

I’m glad you made this decision and are trying to work it. It is really going to be worth it .

Rockfish75

Like a mirror image that of my behaviour with the binge.
I'm not one to flippantly quit at stuff
I came here when needing a kick up the butt
Which you did magnificently
This place is worth its weight in salt.
Thanks once again and keep up the good work please.

Mac4711

Rockfish, no guarantuees, but recovery seems to move in relatively predictable patterns. For me, it got noticeably easier after 50 days and then again after 3 months. The timing might be different for you, but the general thrust should be the same. Just make sure you don’t white knuckle it, but work a program instead. Chin up, you can do this!

Dee74

Have you checked out this link Dave? I particularly recommend urge surfing:

https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...-cravings.html (CarolD's tips for cravings)

D

tekink

Your AV starts getting more and more sneaky. One month is a really long time, great job! "Urge surfing" is a great link and the more I learned to ride it out the faster the craving would actually leave.

Rar

Hang in there Rockfish. You're doing awesome. I need more practice in Urge Surfing, but it really does work.

Rockfish75

Hi all
Checked out Urge surfing..I understand it's a tool to repel the craving.
Being mentally strong now is the key to winning
And this is a weapon to win the war
And I'm into a new day again of sober
Thank you all for your help ...
This site eh. You ask for help and its there ..Amazing.
Best wishes
Dave

Arpeggioh

Yes, I'm pretty sure what you're "craving" is a false memory of how much "fun" you had at pubs with friends. I find it vital to concentrate on the mental pain and anguish of my final drinking days, to never forget...stay strong, you're doing great!

Gottalife

"Nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics. It works when other activities fail" From the AA book, and I have found it to be true. They had me helping others from the first week, and I never had any problem with cravings or the obsession after that.

ubntubnt

I think its worth also being aware of the moments that you feel these cravings particularly strong and planning ahead of time. For example, I found myself craving around 5pm so I would skip lunch and have a big meal at 5pm so I would be much likely to want beers, that kind of thing. I would certainly miss the banter down the pub also but I just have to let it go. No two ways about it. So the sooner I find other things to fill the time and develop new friendships the better, as hard as that may be. Whats the point in thinking about missing something that will kill you if you go back to it?

Rockfish75

Thanks all for help.
All taken on board.
Moving in the right direction again.
Dave

faith823

I am so happy to hear you are in a better place. Great job reaching out I wish I did that.