I’m about 8 days into recovery and all I can find myself doing is fighting off alcoholic thoughts ALL DAY. They are obtrusive and seemingly uncontrollable. I’ll just be driving and catch myself thinking “oh a beer would be nice when I get home” followed quickly by “no, we aren’t drinking anymore, remember?!” I mean that’s just one example, but thoughts like this are constantly flowing in and out of my consious mind… Do these go away??
That and thinking about the forever-ness of being sober… Seems daunting… Sad almost… Like I know I need to be sober because I can’t seem to have “just one”, but I still WANT to be able to drink! Its so hard… How do I combat these feelings??
They do go away I’ve felt the same before but think about your loved ones and well wishers. At the end relationships with family and friends is what keeps us strong. You are better than your thoughts and can control yourself. Stay strong! But that’s why we’re all here together to help each other out. Just keep your mind occupied and workout, or take a class, join a hiking club, whatever gives you the energy to focus on not having an alcoholic beverage. Good luck!
My advice from personal experience is to not look at “forever” (that can be overwelming for anyone) Try a day (or even a moment) at a time. Make a promise to yourself to stay focused in the “right here, right now”, take care of yourself, and stay sober just for today. Sobriety is a beautiful thing…give it time. Let those thoughts come and float on by and not get stuck romancing a drink. You don’t need alcohol lubrication to live a happy life. What’s sad is that we forgot what life could be like before we found alcohol…the routine and obsession took over and told us we couldn’t have fun in our own right. Those are the lies we believed. Be patient with yourself and seek other venues and resources for your sobriety *Have you been to AA meetings and met like minded people that are walking the sober path as well? (Highly suggest going) You don’t have to do this alone and white-knuckle it. There is a lot of help and goodness out there but we need clarity to see it. Facing the truth that yes, you’re an alcoholic, and yes, you can use this later as your greatest asset (shared experience to help others) will take the weight off your shoulders. For whatever God or spirit or energy you believe in…hand this over to Him and not carry this weight of addiction anymore. We’re all here if you need us.
I have had similar feelings, like “vodka would be nice” and such. Then I remind myself of how I hurt my Mom (emotionally) when I got blackout drunk on New Year’s Day and how my Dad died of Alcoholism.
So yeah…the urges I guess don’t go away (I mean I assume I’ll have to live with it).
For me the sneak up in small thoughts but I’ve accepted that I CANNOT have “just one”.
Give AA a try lift the phone and see if there’s a meeting in your area someone can come pick you up and 12 step you that means they will take you to a meet. Do no harm to give it a try. Divert your thinking your be surprised how many people there understand what your going through it worked for this old scots guy best of luck stay safe
Hi @DanielleRae, don’t be sad about not drinking what’s to be sad about? The hangover, the anxiety, the constant battle to try to control it? For what, a few hours of getting drunk and risking your health, relationships, job even possibly your liberty!! No… be glad and proud that you don’t drink, a lot of people would like to have the strength to stop . I’m nearly 12 days sober and the urges and triggers are easing up so stay strong
I’m assuming they will eventually go away! I started out like that, having a conversation with myself about exactly which beer I was going to pick up on my way home from work and having to remind myself that drinking isn’t happening anymore. But here, on day 23 of being sober, it feels like a distant thought in the back of my head that only once in awhile creeps up into the front of my brain. Yay! We can do this!
Thank you! I needed this topic this morning. Seriously, great advice on here.
And yes it does lessen. They kept saying that to me at my first meeting, 3rd day sober, “It gets easier.” I was shaking, crying, just an absolute mess. I’m only on day 26 now, but thank god they were right.
You make new habits and re-learn how to live/love life without alcohol. Just remember @DanielleRae that it didn’t take 8 days to become an alcoholic, it took a lot longer to condition yourself to always “need” to drink. One day at a time!
The answer’s in your ‘intrusive thought’ - a beer would be nice.
If only, eh. I’d imagine all of us on the forum still think a beer would be nice.
Then it’s the other 5, nip out for another 6-pack, drink-drive, whoa!, near miss, mustn’t change cds when they’re on back seat, might as well get a bottle of vodka, some mixers, 4am, drool, bitten my tongue, why am I on the floor? In the bathroom? With a slice of buttered toast stuck to my cheek?
After 6 weeks it’s a LOT easier. And I would love one beer at the moment. But I know I can’t do it. And that’s fine.
You’ll get there, and it’ll be fine as well!
I’m feeling the same way. Some days not as bad, but yesterday was bad… I literally sobbed over it, like I was grieving the loss of alcohol…I missed having a fat buzz, and wanted a break from the battle for just a day. I felt emotional and miserable, but I didn’t give in, I ate some food, and by the time I went to bed I felt better. I woke up today with puffy eyes but felt proud. Im at 10 days, and have to think of this as a temporary thing. Forever feels too uncomfortable right now.
YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING!! thank you so much for all the inspiration and helpful ways to divert my thinking, I am so grateful for this community. Keeping focused moment to moment, and remembering life before I met alcohol… Its a journey, and its hard, but it is GOOD. I appreciate everyone’s advice, so very helpful
Have any of you all ever thought about writing a goodbye letter to alcohol/drugs? Treat it like you’re breaking up with an ex and you have the upperhand. You’re not willing to take the abuse, dishonesty, lies, etc anymore. It’s very freeing.
. I’m nearly 12 days sober and the urges and triggers are easing up 
so stay strong 