Getting close to the end of my work day. I always stop for a diet cherry pepsi and 2 shooters of vanilla vodka. This always leads to several more drinks at home. I told myself I am not doing that anymore, but as the work day gets closer to being over I find myself thinking more and more about my drink. Need some tips on how to help fight this really strong craving.
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It’s just your alcoholic brain trying to get the better of you.
You have the chance to break the cycle now and stop this.
The cravings will take a while to lessen, but each time you fight and win you become stronger, as you realise that you are better than that.
Try not to think about when you finish work, just think about the next minute and the next and keep doing the next right thing.
You can do this, you just have to prove it to yourself.
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You’re running your ship; tell the urge to eff off, not today. You have it in you, dig deep… it’s not easy but it’s part of the process mommahope.
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The time around leaving work was a really difficult time for me early on. Stopping to buy alcohol on the way home was part of my routine. One thing I found helpful was to drink plenty of water and eat something just before I left the office. That way at least I wasnt hungry or thirsty. And I know it sounds really obvious, but forcing myself to go straight home, changing my route so I didnt pass my local shop on the way. I found my cravings eased a lot once I got home and just sat for a few minutes.
Introduce things that break the routine, even small changes can help a lot.
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Treat yourself to flowers and cupcakes. Tomorrow morning, you will be grateful.
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It looks like you’re a mother 
Think of your child(ren) and how incredibly important it is to have a sober parent.
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I agree, think of the kids. I was brought up by 2 drunks and I sometimes hated them for being drunk.
Not judging @mommahope, just a reality that is hard to know the full consequences on them.
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I second treating yourself to something else you enjoy. Like a snack or some yummy takeout, or an activity like watching a favorite movie or taking a bath, whatever you’re able to do.
Get in the habit of seeing that vanilla vodka not as a treat you’re denying yourself but as something that was harmful. And then find some replacements that are healthy.
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You have built a ritual around drinking. I think we all had our own drinking ritual. It’s that time of anticipation. Your mind and body anticipate those shooters and coke, in a habitual fashion.
You need to build a new ritual, and stick with it long enough that you forget the old, and anticipate the new.
I started walking while listening to podcasts. Did that for the first 3 months. Same time every day that I used to drink. After that, I switched to evening martial arts classes. This became my ritual.
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Well, one among other things…in the beginning i would stop by the local grocery store on my way home. They sold cake by the slice (probably the slice was two servings…but who cares). I would pick one up and take it home.
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Stop for something else. A milk shake from McDonald’s or an Oreo Iced Capp from Timmy Ho Ho. It gives you something new to think about, a new destination/ route away frim your usual store and the sugar should help the alcohol craving a bit. Stay strong. You got this.
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Same here. The after work liquor store drop by was a hallmark of mine as well. I found changing my route helped. Even if it took a bit longer I’m saving more time then when I’m drunk.
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Thank you everyone for all the support and advice. I took a different way home and stopped at a store that didn’t have a liqour store anywhere near it. I still got my favorite soda and enjoyed it without the vodka.
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Change your routine sweetie. Those 5 pm drinks was always my down fall but you can do this!!