Do the cravings ever go away? Fed up at day 24
Guest
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: East Coast
Posts: 853
Do the cravings ever go away? Fed up at day 24
Hi everyone. I'm having a bad day and some very bad cravings out of the complete blue. For those of you who have more sober time than me, do the cravings ever go away? at 24 days I know I'm not going to drink, but... I'm just so sad and depressed that I'm going to spend the rest of my life feeling this way....craving a bottle of wine I can't have...is this my new life? I feel like a pathetic loser.
I'm sorry for this negative post, I'm just really feeling down and could use some kind words if anyone has any to offer.
Thank you all for reading.
I'm sorry for this negative post, I'm just really feeling down and could use some kind words if anyone has any to offer.
Thank you all for reading.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Alabama
Posts: 1,284
Be very careful. I drank at 29 days bc I couldn't take the incessant brain pounding I was enduring. I just gave in. I'm adding AA into the mix but still don't know how I'm going to deal when those seemingly unbeatable cravings hit.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: W Washington
Posts: 11,589
no this is not what the rest of your life is going to be!!!!
you are having a rough time RIGHT NOW.....measured in minutes, maybe hours, during the course of ONE day.
cravings happen. sometimes we know why, sometimes they come seemingly out of the blue. AS LONG AS WE DO NOT DRINK, they will lessen in intensity and regularity. but if you were to have given in, you just powered up the battery in Crave O Maker.
a craving can be like a toddler having a fit in the grocery store......sometimes you can find something else to soothe them, but sometimes you just have to abandon the cart and haul their screaming little butts out of the store.
you are having a rough time RIGHT NOW.....measured in minutes, maybe hours, during the course of ONE day.
cravings happen. sometimes we know why, sometimes they come seemingly out of the blue. AS LONG AS WE DO NOT DRINK, they will lessen in intensity and regularity. but if you were to have given in, you just powered up the battery in Crave O Maker.
a craving can be like a toddler having a fit in the grocery store......sometimes you can find something else to soothe them, but sometimes you just have to abandon the cart and haul their screaming little butts out of the store.
Guest
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: East Coast
Posts: 853
Originally Posted by Offthemast 
Be very careful. I drank at 29 days bc I couldn't take the incessant brain pounding I was enduring. I just gave in. I'm adding AA into the mix but still don't know how I'm going to deal when those seemingly unbeatable cravings hit.
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,776
I know it doesn't seem like it now, but there will come a time where you don't even think about drinking. 
The cravings will not always be there. You're in early recovery so it's not surprising you're having cravings.
You won't always feel this way. It gets better.
The cravings will not always be there. You're in early recovery so it's not surprising you're having cravings. You won't always feel this way. It gets better.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,432
This is definitely not the best it's going to get.
I was despondent too until someone gently reminded me that I drank for decades and that a few weeks were probably not long enough for me to be out of the craving or the mood swing woods just yet.
Have faith - you will not always crave,and you will not always be this up and down. Until it passes, lean on us - we'll get you through
D
I was despondent too until someone gently reminded me that I drank for decades and that a few weeks were probably not long enough for me to be out of the craving or the mood swing woods just yet.
Have faith - you will not always crave,and you will not always be this up and down. Until it passes, lean on us - we'll get you through
D
Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,100
Heya ProfD..
One of the biggest takeaways from rehab was being away from any access to booze for 30 days. That in the rear view mirror (about 6 months ago) I can say that after 30 days things seemed to moderate a bit. I've had fleeting cravings at most but the alcoholic voice seems to poke in every once in awhile to tell me it wouldn't hurt. Just being cognizant of that seems to help take care of it from my experience.
I wound up after treatment trying to engage in positive activities (for me the primary one was fitness) that build me up and gain an upbeat perspective on life. Do you have hobbies that you enjoy? Are there support groups where you can feel connected to those IRL who've some established sobriety?
There's options. That's one of the axioms that I seem to embrace nowadays--that having options is better than the alternative
Stay strong, and keep checking in
T.
One of the biggest takeaways from rehab was being away from any access to booze for 30 days. That in the rear view mirror (about 6 months ago) I can say that after 30 days things seemed to moderate a bit. I've had fleeting cravings at most but the alcoholic voice seems to poke in every once in awhile to tell me it wouldn't hurt. Just being cognizant of that seems to help take care of it from my experience.
I wound up after treatment trying to engage in positive activities (for me the primary one was fitness) that build me up and gain an upbeat perspective on life. Do you have hobbies that you enjoy? Are there support groups where you can feel connected to those IRL who've some established sobriety?
There's options. That's one of the axioms that I seem to embrace nowadays--that having options is better than the alternative
Stay strong, and keep checking in
T.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Wales
Posts: 140
Hi Prof D
I was shown this post regarding cravings
https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...e-surfing.html (Urge Surfing)
Hope it helps
Dave
I was shown this post regarding cravings
https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...e-surfing.html (Urge Surfing)
Hope it helps
Dave
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,432
Originally Posted by Offthemast
still don't know how I'm going to deal when those seemingly unbeatable cravings hit.
https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...-cravings.html (CarolD's tips for cravings)
I particularly recommend urge surfing.
It's hard, but it's possible to vanquish even the most relentless of cravings
Seriously I spent hours here in early recovery because the alternative was running down the road and drinking.
The thing that actually helped me the most was posting to others.
I knew what to do - I just wasn't great back then at taking my own advice - but eventually? it sunk in
D
Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: ireland
Posts: 138
Hi Professor D,
Having walked this path before and staying absent from drinking for 18 months, I can solemnly swear that the cravings do get weaker.It's true what the song says "that things can only get better" But you have to be ever vigilant as alcoholism is a disease that needs to be treated with AA, and support.You can and will do this, my friend, where all in the same boat.
Having walked this path before and staying absent from drinking for 18 months, I can solemnly swear that the cravings do get weaker.It's true what the song says "that things can only get better" But you have to be ever vigilant as alcoholism is a disease that needs to be treated with AA, and support.You can and will do this, my friend, where all in the same boat.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 325
I only have 21 days so cannot answer from experience, but I’ve been reading about the experiences of others and overwhelmingly the answer seems yes it gets easier. We”ve spent a long time teaching our bodies to develop a dependency on alcohol so I guess these first months especially there are going to be both physical and psychological cravings as we find our new normal.
I’m finding reading about AVRT quite helpful in dealing with cravings, but I have still been knocked off my feet by the power of some of them. I have to believe this too shall pass.
I’m finding reading about AVRT quite helpful in dealing with cravings, but I have still been knocked off my feet by the power of some of them. I have to believe this too shall pass.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Florida., USA
Posts: 3,252
Originally Posted by ProfessorD
Hi everyone. I'm having a bad day and some very bad cravings out of the complete blue. For those of you who have more sober time than me, do the cravings ever go away? at 24 days I know I'm not going to drink, but... I'm just so sad and depressed that I'm going to spend the rest of my life feeling this way....craving a bottle of wine I can't have...is this my new life? I feel like a pathetic loser.
I'm sorry for this negative post, I'm just really feeling down and could use some kind words if anyone has any to offer.
Thank you all for reading.
I'm sorry for this negative post, I'm just really feeling down and could use some kind words if anyone has any to offer.
Thank you all for reading.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Edmonton, Alberta.
Posts: 398
Hey Prof D,
just to add my voice to the chorus - it TOTALLY gets easier with time.
First few weeks are really hard, but you've got your axe in the rock now. Cling on to it with every fibre of your being my friend!
One of the very best things about sobriety I never considered --
NO MORE HORRID RECOVERIES EVER AGAIN!!!!!
Do keep posting and good luck!
Max
just to add my voice to the chorus - it TOTALLY gets easier with time.
First few weeks are really hard, but you've got your axe in the rock now. Cling on to it with every fibre of your being my friend!
One of the very best things about sobriety I never considered --
NO MORE HORRID RECOVERIES EVER AGAIN!!!!!
Do keep posting and good luck!
Max
Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 68
Hi Prof D -
I don't know how you feel about AA or if you have thought about it...but honestly I believe it's the reason I have been able to deal with cravings. I can also truly say that the obsession to drink has been lifted.
The whole concept of "surrender" was sort of horrifying to me at first - until I really understood it. When I started to really get into the program, got a sponsor, worked the steps...cravings are very rare for me.
I'm not saying it's magic...I have plenty of issues to deal with. But the desire to drink has been greatly relieved.
Just a suggestion. I'm thinking of you.
I don't know how you feel about AA or if you have thought about it...but honestly I believe it's the reason I have been able to deal with cravings. I can also truly say that the obsession to drink has been lifted.
The whole concept of "surrender" was sort of horrifying to me at first - until I really understood it. When I started to really get into the program, got a sponsor, worked the steps...cravings are very rare for me.
I'm not saying it's magic...I have plenty of issues to deal with. But the desire to drink has been greatly relieved.
Just a suggestion. I'm thinking of you.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 1,068
Professor - Of course it gets better.
How fast? Varies
Is craving elimination complete? Varies
Can't predict the details for any one individual but we can predict the direction. Simple fact is that for almost everyone cravings diminish as sober time increases.
How fast? Varies
Is craving elimination complete? Varies
Can't predict the details for any one individual but we can predict the direction. Simple fact is that for almost everyone cravings diminish as sober time increases.
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
