Members,
Always remember your emergency plan when you get in a tough situation.
AVOID the situation. Identify the situations as one in which you'd be tempted to drink. For most, high-risk situations are times of the day, activities, emotions or even people that tempt you to drink or remind you of drinking. Plan how you'll avoid these situations. Plan for alternate activities.
LEAVE the situation. If you find yourself in a high risk situation, leave immediately or contact someone who can help you.
DISTRACT yourself from cravings. If you find yourself in a situation you can't leave and you get a craving, distract yourself from the craving by:
Thinking about something else, like your Coping Plan or Reward Plan or perhaps how the progress you've made or how your body is healing itself.
Do something else to distract yourself. Try drinking water or deep breathing exercises.
Thinking about an upcoming event in your life, such as a vacation.
DELAY acting on the craving If you can't keep your mind off the craving, then make a deal with yourself that you'll wait 15 minutes before you give into the craving. The craving will usually pass in a couple of minutes anyway. If you keep delaying, the craving will go away.
Use SELF TALK A craving may be accompanied by negative thoughts about your ability to resist it. Use positive self talk statements to combat your negative thoughts.
Members, what emergency strategies have worked for you? Any tips you want to add to this list?
