Almost to a month and today is just rough. For no reason it’s been on my mind. Any methods that could help? I’m running through all the one I know.
Thanks
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If you have sour candy, that’s the fastest way to distract yourself.
Otherwise, you need to change your focus and release dopamine at the same time. Best way is to finish a quick project. For me, that’s cleaning. I love seeing the before and after, and it’s physically draining if it’s a deep clean. Paint, draw, write a poem, call a friend, anything that is an enjoyable task that you can complete is my suggestion.
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Glad you are here Ben! TS is a great place to find support and resources when combating addiction!
In my personal experience, healthy distractions like art, reading, and exercise were incredibly useful when I first got sober and continue to be great “escapes” for when I’m really anxious or have intense urges/cravings!
Sober tools like HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired) and the 4-7-8 breathing technique are very helpful as well that can used on the go!
Also, being surrounded by people who understand the struggle of addiction can be a powerful tool. Do you attend meeting of any kind? (AA, NA, SMART Recovery, Recovery Dharma)
I’m glad you are reaching out for support, this is a great place for exactly that! Remember that you are not alone in this struggle. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need additional support! 
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Welcome to the forum!! What are u experiencing right now? Anxiety? Cravings? A combination of things? Maybe that can help us narrow down what techniques and methods might work best 
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I’d hit a meeting back when I was ruminating about getting lit in the beginning. Always helped me when I was struggling. Stay the course friend, whatever it takes.
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I ended up at a meeting and did some meditation
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Thanks for the help I made it
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Yay!!! Congratulations 
What helped you get through?
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I am so disappointed in myself. I am on the brink of losing my job, I have bad anxiety and I feel like I am losing my mind. I have been sick for 2 days and I know I need to quit drinking. I am scared!
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welcome to TS 
get help and stay off alcohol. one minute at a time.
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Hi Jane So glad ur here with us. Sounds like theres a lot going on for u right now. Im sorry to hear ur struggling so much 
But sometimes its best to just simplify it a bit. Honestly, getting rid of the booze solves a lot of problems (not everything of course as life is life) but quitting alcohol solves some… at least it did for me anyway, with regards to work performance and health. Continue to take care of urself as ur not feeling well and dont pick up alcohol no matter what. Maybe attend an online 12 step meeting like AA thru the Intherooms app. Might help to get thru this tough time. And of course come on here often for support 
Recovery must come first, or we will lose everything. We are here for u. We can do this together!
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Thank you so much for responding. I am trying to pick myself up and commit to being sober. I am literally sick of drinking. I know not to drink but my mind tells me to go buy alcohol. How do I stop this feeling?
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Theres 2 sort of “voices” that alot of us experience. Theres the rational voice that tells us that we need to stop drinking for this n that reason. THEN, theres the addict/alcoholic voice that will literally lie to u every chance it gets to make u keep drinking. It will tell u to have just one, that u NEED it, or that it will be different this time, or ive been sober for a month I must be cured and can moderate etc. These are ALL lies. And once u can pinpoint when its talking to u, u can challenge those thots.
For me it was helpful to write down my reasons for why Im quitting. I would read this list constantly, ESPECIALLY when that voice started talking. Maybe spend some time today writing out this list on paper or on ur phone. Ive even gave that voice a name and told it to “Shut up” like outloud lmao Sounds crazy but it helped me. Use distraction… go for a walk (not in the direction of where u can get alcohol), exercise, cook a good meal, watch a good show, do some crafting or coloring, have a nice shower, attend a meeting, take a nap. Anything to get u thru that craving.
U absolutely dont need alcohol. There is SOOOO much more to life than living in survival mode, drinking.
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Cravings do not last. They are like a wave. Remember that this too shall pass And ull be soooo proud of urself for not giving into that cycle anymore.
Im proud of you! For making that decision that enough is enough. Quitting drinking will honestly be the best gift u give urself
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Glad to hear it! That decision was crucial, and you will face that crossroad between using/drinking and remaining sober again and again, so remember how the meeting and mediation helped you “ride the wave” of your urges/cravings! Super psyched for you!
@JMont-278 Glad you are here Jane! Definitely in the right place, @Butterflymoonwoman definitely hit the nail on the head about the two voices in a lot of us, as well as how craving don’t last! Remember you’re not alone in this struggle!
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Thank you so much you guys. I feel really welcomed by y’all. I am nervous and scared but I know its the right decision. I have had it with feeling crappy almost every morning. I don’t want to drink at all. But I am so afraid of that voice in my head. I have been praying that God will hold my hand and bring me to being sober. I just went to my first AA meeting!
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I’m glad you feel welcomed! I did and continue to feel that way here!
Those feelings are completely natural! There is a saying I heard in AA meetings which goes something like “sick and tired of being sick and tired” which I always find myself remembering as a motivation to help me stay sober!
Being aware of the voice is the first step in combatting it! Once you accept that those thoughts are not you but instead is the addicted part of your brain trying to maintain the addiction, ignoring the voice will become less of a chore and more natural!
Great work getting to a meeting! I hope you felt welcomed and heard! Building a sober network was very useful for me and helped me feel not so alone, I hope it has the same effect for you! This forum is also a great place to build a support network!
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Hi just sending love and support and well done for taking action reaching out on here and also going to a meeting. Any (every) time it gets hard come and talk on here or get to another meeting, they are 24 hr online and you can’t go wrong with the help and advice of @Butterflymoonwoman she is a good woman with a good soul who has been there seen it and done it and fought hard to get to where she is today. Oh and when you go to your meetings and there is someone there you kinda gel with and has some sober time ask them to be your sponsor, this is a life changer for many. Remember - Tomorrow you can drink as much as you want but just not today, we can do anything for 24 hours that would appall us if it was for a lifetime.
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I just want to sincerely thank you friend 
What u said actually means A LOT to me. What a beautiful thing to read first thing in the morning Youre pretty incredible yourself!! I appreciate YOU!!
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