EvolutionHealth.care

Home
Main Forum
Managing Drinking
Dealing with Urges
I?m scared

Advanced Search Form

I?m scared

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 5

hey there,

it's funny knowing the things we should do to feel better, to be distracted. exercise, reading, hobbies, taking a walk. but it's hard. alcohol has the biggest distraction of all i am realizing since taking it away from the equation. distraction from life and all it has to throw at you. it's been a week since i've had a drink and all in all i feel good. i am distracted by the little addict gremlin voice inside it won't shut up despite how many walks, showers and books i introduce it to. it keeps saying "just have one it's fine." abstaining from the booze this week has been a conscious decision i feel and see all the benefits from yet, i think about it constantly. i have made a little make believe narrative in my head that has been helping. sort of like the old angel on one shoulder, devil on the other. the devil of course the addict. it's almost as if i have a pro's and con's list on each shoulder. when i don't give in to the little devil/gremlin/addict voice i win. i win all the pro's for not drinking. a much longer list that con's i am finding out. wake up without a hangover? woohoo high five little angel guy on my shoulder. it could very well lead to me talking out loud to myself in the grocery store or something, but better to be weird than drunk at this point...

i see the point and need for "burying the alcohol" i guess i'm not at that point yet being a week in. but it definitely does feel like losing a best friend, or breaking up because it "just isn't working out." but this break up is different. finally an honest break up where it really is you not me.

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 73

Thanks Dave.

I really appreciate your support and advice. I especially like the image of burying alcohol like its dead. Might be worth a ceremony... I will keep what you say in mind. Thanks!

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 20

Hey Heps (I like diminutives!),

I totally undurstand the way you feel and it's really hard sometimes.... It's difficult to feel like an outcast when drinking is so socially accepted. However you must remember like I have to everyday the reasons and troublles drinking has given you!

You have to keep in mind that YOU had and have the will to stop that behavior because YOU decided at first there was a problem.

You are are great person that shows all of us that there is a way to get out. You are in every post I see helpimg and caring. You are a great person and you are generous. Be strng and like you are there for everyone we are there for you!

Your ures are my urges! I also wish that I could only have one wit my friends.... I know I can't! Like a close friend that died I have to burry alcohol like it's dead and make my life without it.

Personnally I have found myself enjoying moments sober that I usually would have lived blurred... I take theses moments and live them fully and remember them to build my coping mecanism.

I sure hope this helps and pls keep sharing|

Sincerely,

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 73

Thank you everyone for your great advice. I've renewed my resolve. I do exercise regularly. I've dropped my weight and try to be careful about what I eat, because food is my go-to substitute when I feel those cravings. A big bowl of air-popped popcorn often does the trick. I read, watch Netflix, walk the dog, write, and, as always, neglect my housekeeping.

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 171

Hi Hepsie,

I think we're all scared. It is so easy when things are going well to talk yourself into believing that just one drink won't hurt. I am only on day two and I have only had two very short periods in the last ten years when I wasn't drinking daily. But I look at the progress that people like you and Splitimage are making and I know that there is still hope.

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 6

Hi Hepsie,

I'm new at this and, having not yet got near to where you are in stopping....39 days, wow, I don't know that I can offer you any advice that you have not yet received. One thing that seems to be working for me, outside of the coping mechanisms, of course, is my vanity. I have lost 10 pounds on a diet that requires no alcohol and, subsequently, I look and feel better. Now when I look at a glass of wine, all I see is 100 calories! I know that it will take more than that to live my life without alcohol, but for now it is working. I am also doing as splitimage advised and changing my lifestyle to incorporate more exercise and activities that are alcohol free, like movies, art galleries and long walks. Hang in there, you have already come three times as far as me!!

Red

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 272

Hepsie,

Thanks for sharing. I think that it's normal to feel scared. After all it's a big lifestyle change. But I find taking it day by day, and focussing on the benefits of not drinking, it makes it a little easier. I avoid to, and that's ok. For example last night, I didn't go to a party because I knew there would be alcohol there and while I knew I wouldn't drink (I'm on Antabuse) I didn't want to be around other people drinking because it would make me jealous and then I'd feel bad.

As you get stronger, you won't feel as much need to avoid, or at least that was my experience before my relapse.

I've found too that I've had to develop all kinds of new hobbies to keep me distracted from drinking thoughts, and busy in the evenings, when normally I'd be drinking. Knitting is my latest obsession. Try exploring some new things that you might think you'd enjoy and you might find something that you really enjoy that'll make the not drinking a lot easier and pleasureable.

Good luck and hang in there.

Splitimage

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 12049

Hepsie,

Thanks for sharing with us. You are on the right path and you can come out ahead! Take the time to make a plan, use coping mechanisms, avoidance techniques and perhaps once in a awhile a little reward for you.

The amount of alcohol you consume affects many aspects of your health.

Spending plenty of time outdoors with regular exercise is also very important, so take the time to focus on you and how to help you and your body.

We are here for you!

Josie, Health Educator

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 73

I stopped drinking 39 days ago. I feel pretty good. Sometimes I have down days, but not nearly as many as I used to have. My triggers come and go. But I've been here before. I've gone many months without drinking. Then I relapsed. I thought enough time had passed that I should be able to enjoy an occasional drink. Wrong. It was different when I relapsed. My drinking pattern changed. Instead of drinking every day, I would drink once or twice a week, but I would binge. It was impossible to stop at two. And in the end, I was drinking more than before. My goal is abstinence, but I'm afraid I'll be at a party or out with friends and the temptation to have "just one" will be too strong to resist. Then it will start all over again. I've been avoiding occasions like that, but I can't avoid them forever...

Reading this thread:

today's top discussions:

This Month’s Leaders:

Most Supportive

Most Active

Most Loved

I?m scared