Just found the online board and chats 2 days ago and am a newby. I am very, very good at starting, make it a few days, and then something bad happens - stress, kids, work, crazy ex, friends - and oh that first drink takes it all away.
The cravings start like clockwork at 5 pm because that was my time for a first drink.
I've started the steps.
Any practical tips, help, suggestions to jump start my journey?
Make yourself a list of why you want to quit drinking and tape it up in a very prominent place where you can see it when you have a craving. Review it often.
At first I found it helpful at times when I would drink alcohol, to replace the booze with another delicious beverage: a latte, a Jamba Juice smoothie, a milkshake, an iced tea, a soda... and that seemed to help. I wouldn't set foot in an AA meeting in the beginning without another yummy drink substitute. Other people craved sugar in the beginning, and would keep jellybeans or M&M's on hand. While that isn't particularly healthy, it's better than a relapse...and for most it is a temporary craving substitute.
Within a few months of working the steps, my urge to drink was lifted and I didn't feel the need to have another beverage on hand. Now I just live my life "normally" and rarely even think about alcohol.
Welcome SusanR... The urge to drink never really subsided, for me, even over time. A good sober environment that promotes healing and wholeness will always pay dividends in the end; that other outlets simply cannot. I discovered the importance of developing a relationship with individuals we can relate with on a personal level, thus eliminating the prospect of always having to resort to my old behaviors like drinking - to quell those uneasy feelings. This was my turning point and one that set my mind straight, regardless of how guilty or shameful I became.
Taking the first step is paramount in revitalizing our efforts to reclaim our sober life one day at a time. When we talk out our problems with those in a sober network, like AA or forums like this one; we can finally move on past our problems and find the alternative solutions to deal with those frustrations other than drinking - God willing. You've taken the necessary steps towards healing and wholeness, by allowing this fellowship the opportunity of getting to know you and offer our assistance towards reclaiming your worth - one day at a time.
~God bless~
-- Edited by Mr_David on Wednesday 23rd of March 2011 01:22:53 PM
Just to provide another perspective, I have nearly two years and the cravings DID decrease for me dramatically over time.
HOWEVER, in your case, if you can make it a few days, that's just when withdrawal symptoms start kicking in really bad. Anxiety, sweats, etc FEEL like stress but it's just withdrawal symptoms and drinking temporarily suppresses them. Very tough to overcome on your own.
Have you talked to your doctor? Good move, that.
__________________
Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, and unto God that which is God's.
90 meetings in 90 days without exception. Get a sponsor and call him/her daily. Do as your sponsor instructs. That is the best start you could make. The cravings will go if you stick to those things. You will stick to those things only if you want this bad enough.
Aside from that, pray when you have a craving. It will go away. Stay busy with sober activities, meetings, exercise...whatever it takes to just NOT DRINK. I chain smoked and drank a ton of coffee while attending a gazillion meetings and calling my sponsor and other AA folks and being on this board a lot.
I did it and I am not special. You can do it too!
__________________
Keep coming back. It works if you work it. So work it. You're worth it!
For me in the beginning I stayed in safe places with safe people. My meeting, and my home pretty much where I felt safe and away from alcohol. There was so many things I wasnt doing while in the madness that I got to rediscover all over again. Just a simple walk on a trail seemed new to me. Food, even tho be careful was a new discovery for me. It was a celebration. I also became a long distance runner. My point being, when you have cravings look to something new. It will distract you and make you realize all you have been missing. Joy will sneak up on you when you least expect it. Very exciting that first year of recovery. Now the first few weeks are rought but remember they are just a few weeks. Eat healthy, and be good to yourself. Meetings are not a punishment. they are something of a gift. Recovery is beautiful if you let it be. Us alcoholics are all about ourselves, so now is the time to milk it a bit. lol Oh and I really liked the idea that Heather wrote. At 5 when its time for a drink it ok.....just make it a speacial one with out alcohol. Make a new normal healthy for you. I use to go to the book store and wander and get a special coffee. Felt like a queen. Meeting, meetings, meetings. they will love you till you learn to love yourself. I love this one " you might not be an alcoholic, but you will do till one comes along!" lol have a great day!!
Good on you for starting. Do what Pinkchip (Mark) said. It works. Don't think about it. Don't question it. Just do it. Seen it work.
That being said...you may not do as you're told. We're kinda dumb that way. Early on I practiced a LOT of avoidance. No money. Lots of sleeping. Drove different routes home. But just like that damned dinosaur egg in Jurassic Park; nature finds a way and drinking is an alkie's nature. I got drunk again. I couldn't outsmart myself, so i accepted myself & my condition as well as my inability to control it/me. So, I sought help in AA & treatment. You'll learn AA stuff if you do what Mark said. In treatment I learned about people, places & things that stimulate my obsession to drink/use, lead to the compulsion and result in the action of drinking/using. Then I learned that these stimulii had to be either eliminated, avoided or managed. I practiced. I started re-training my graymeats. Slowly.
I also learned how to immediately create a support network around myself and stick to it. Anyone or anything that didn't support my sobriety was eliminated from my life. No exceptions. This is life or death. I re-defined myself. Sobriety FIRST was how I had to do it. No reservations. No family member, friend, associate, location, occupation or possession was exempt from being cut. Life or death.
Hi Susan and welcome to Miracles in Progress (MIP)
Meetings, meetings, meetings.
that little sign you see almost all the the time, like the Easy Does it sign, the one that reads Think,
Think,
Think!
It means when you have a craving, think it alllll the way through to how it all ends up the same, drunk, right.
I have a lot of time in, so recall any craving stopped completely for me at about 1 year.
I was a very low bottom drunk, so my cravings would start and run rampent, the moment I opened my eyes......
Personally I would use all the suggestions....
Hugs and praying this is the Birth of Sobriety and all the wonderful gifts of freedom from the Disease, getting a same sex sponsor, someone you will need to be accountable to regarding your drinking .
You can ask for a temporary Sponsor, anyone will know why,
You're goin love AA, the Sponsor, the 12 Steps, working these diligently is the way up and out of this Disease, just one day at a time.
So happy you are with us today, please stay and let us know how you are doing...
Do you have a copy of the Alcoholics Anonomous Big Book,at your first meeting, they will make sure you leave with one.
