Trying Something New
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 2
Trying Something New
Here goes nothing. I’m 1 day in without a drink and want to live life without alcohol and all the negative effects. I’m an alcoholic - I don’t need a quiz or professional to tell me that. I’m just tired of feeling like garbage for most of the day as well as the feelings of guilt and shame. I’m still dealing with some minor withdrawal symptoms (shaky hands) but thankfully the nausea phase seems to have ended.
For or those who have been sober for a few days or years, are there any tips that worked for you? I’ve tried lots of strategies over the years to manage the urges, but ultimately have failed. Usually, I’ll quit for a week or two and then get hit with an urge and next thing you know I’m back at it.
For or those who have been sober for a few days or years, are there any tips that worked for you? I’ve tried lots of strategies over the years to manage the urges, but ultimately have failed. Usually, I’ll quit for a week or two and then get hit with an urge and next thing you know I’m back at it.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 25,373
I learned pretty quickly that I just had to accept that the urges would come. They were the well-worn pathways laid down in my brain.
In time they become weaker and less frequent.
I didn't pick up a drink, no matter what my thoughts told me. No matter what.
In time they become weaker and less frequent.
I didn't pick up a drink, no matter what my thoughts told me. No matter what.
Canine Welfare Advocate
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 10,962
Welcome to SR.
It's simple. Don't give in to the urge. Simple, but not easy. But everyone who has attained any level of sustained sobriety has succeeded at just that--saying no to their addiction.
Originally Posted by MiYo 
Usually, I’ll quit for a week or two and then get hit with an urge and next thing you know I’m back at it.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 2
I have found that being very specifically planning out my day (which does not include drinking) has helped me. Where I fall down is when confronted with the option to drink that wasn’t expected. For example, went to the pool Saturday and a friend bought me a beer without asking. I wasn’t prepared for that.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Los Angeles, Ca
Posts: 535
Originally Posted by MiYo
Here goes nothing. I’m 1 day in without a drink and want to live life without alcohol and all the negative effects. I’m an alcoholic - I don’t need a quiz or professional to tell me that. I’m just tired of feeling like garbage for most of the day as well as the feelings of guilt and shame. I’m still dealing with some minor withdrawal symptoms (shaky hands) but thankfully the nausea phase seems to have ended.
For or those who have been sober for a few days or years, are there any tips that worked for you? I’ve tried lots of strategies over the years to manage the urges, but ultimately have failed. Usually, I’ll quit for a week or two and then get hit with an urge and next thing you know I’m back at it.
For or those who have been sober for a few days or years, are there any tips that worked for you? I’ve tried lots of strategies over the years to manage the urges, but ultimately have failed. Usually, I’ll quit for a week or two and then get hit with an urge and next thing you know I’m back at it.
Reasons for drinking are driven by emotional factors, usually feelings of helplessness (about whatever in my life makes me feel overwhelmingly trapped). When I understand what drives my drinking I am in a better position to replace my corrupt behavior with a direct high value behavior.
The antidote is to find some other high value behavior other than drinking that is more important to you-and empowers you! When your values trump your addiction, there is no addiction.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Arizona, USA
Posts: 1,598
AA and a great sponsor taught me a lot. For me the challenge isn’t as much about not drinking as it is about living life Sober.
welcome to SR. You will find a lot of support and lots of great ideas on the boards. But I’m the end you have to make the commitment and do the work. Best of luck.
welcome to SR. You will find a lot of support and lots of great ideas on the boards. But I’m the end you have to make the commitment and do the work. Best of luck.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 87
One of the things I found very helpful is the use of a good natural sleep aid. I just knocked myself out early every night and stayed as busy I could during the day. I took an over the counter sleep aid with low dose melatonin, 5-HTP and GABA. I still use it today because I still like it and it doesn't cause drowsiness the next day.
Second, I found indulging in food was helpful in early sobriety. This is probable normally not practical advice, but I found if I treated myself for not drinking with foods I love, it gave me something to look forward to. This is especially the case with foods that I couldn't eat when I was drinking.
For example, I LOVE Taco Bell, but I hadn't been able to eat it in years because my stomach lining was such a mess from a constant stream of vodka. So this was my treat for a few months and I ate a lot of it. A taco addiction is much safer than alcohol, and it was one of the many small things that got me through.
Now, I've cleaned up my diet, so TB is off the table again. If I ever got a real urge to drink though, I think that would be the first place I'd go, haha.
SC
Second, I found indulging in food was helpful in early sobriety. This is probable normally not practical advice, but I found if I treated myself for not drinking with foods I love, it gave me something to look forward to. This is especially the case with foods that I couldn't eat when I was drinking.
For example, I LOVE Taco Bell, but I hadn't been able to eat it in years because my stomach lining was such a mess from a constant stream of vodka. So this was my treat for a few months and I ate a lot of it. A taco addiction is much safer than alcohol, and it was one of the many small things that got me through.
Now, I've cleaned up my diet, so TB is off the table again. If I ever got a real urge to drink though, I think that would be the first place I'd go, haha.
SC
Community Greeter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,536
Welcome, MiYo. I'm so glad you've decided to kick alcohol out of your life. I hope reading & posting here will be inspiring & helpful. There is no doubt you can do this - and you're never alone.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: West Tn
Posts: 3,043
I agree with BeABetterMan.
For me, I sought help through AA and have stuck with it since 1988 with no further drinking.
I couldn't imagine trying to get and stay sober on my own.
I'm not smart enough or strong enough to arrest a life of chronic alcoholism without getting help.
For me, I sought help through AA and have stuck with it since 1988 with no further drinking.
I couldn't imagine trying to get and stay sober on my own.
I'm not smart enough or strong enough to arrest a life of chronic alcoholism without getting help.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 5,163
1. As already noted, the way to get past urges, is not to give in. This means some white knuckle discipline, and it can be unnerving as all Hell. The urges will become manageable with time, and eventually disappear. Unfortunately there is no way around the cravings.
2. Lots of meetings, every night at first, and support from people who actually understand what you are going through. I used AA for that.
3. I think it helps if you can gain the proper attitude. For me, the attitude came from getting sick, tired, and totally disgusted with myself. That attitude was a willingness to commit to life long sobriety. My cravings were horrible for 4 days, but became quite manageable during my second week. After that, it become fun to not drink.
2. Lots of meetings, every night at first, and support from people who actually understand what you are going through. I used AA for that.
3. I think it helps if you can gain the proper attitude. For me, the attitude came from getting sick, tired, and totally disgusted with myself. That attitude was a willingness to commit to life long sobriety. My cravings were horrible for 4 days, but became quite manageable during my second week. After that, it become fun to not drink.
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,760
The best advice I got to bolster my sobriety was to practice gratitude every day. 
It not only made my sobriety stronger, it made me happier too.
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/22/o...pier.html?_r=0
It not only made my sobriety stronger, it made me happier too. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/22/o...pier.html?_r=0
Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: casablanca
Posts: 282
Learn about your "condition" by reading books, attending AA or SMART recovery or Rational recovery or counseling.
You need to understand the problem to fix it, unless you are not that far gone then just choose not to drink anymore.
You need to understand the problem to fix it, unless you are not that far gone then just choose not to drink anymore.
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