Well I had a pretty bad craving tonight. I was at my limits but proud of myself. Still sober! I ran errands and called a friend. What kept me in check, remembering all the past times I was drunk and the sh** storms i caused. Those memories were enough to steer me away and honestly, they caused me anxiety just thinking about them 
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Well done, taking action is the key to a whole new life it’ll win every time.
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Cravings and urges are hard to manage and I still find myself struggling with them regularly. Good for you for keeping perspective and making healthier choices for yourself!
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Really inspiring to hear and normslise the agony of urges! Ive been doing similar in these early days, get out do something, be with sober people/reach out . Ive been journaling some of my drinking experiences including the aftermath of shame, lies and loss so i can read them and be reminded that urges wont kill me but drinking will!
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Yes they are! Thank you 
hopefully one day it gets easier
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Yes they are hard! My brain literally tonight was like i need a drink and it sounds silly but i was talking to myself 
saying i don’t need a drink, i need to decompress. So what can i do instead? Yes I understand-staying busy, that really helps me through them as well. After 2 hours of staying busy, the urge passed. Love that you journal! Good way to process emotions. Do you enjoy reading? I am reading quite a bit of sober lit and how the brain works with addiction- its help me understand more and in return manage better. About to hit one week, so i feel you on the early days.
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Oh those urges and then the thinking that goes with it!
I found journalling allowed me to externally process and reflect without all the convincing excuses that otherwise go on, im writing excessively at the moment as its a safe way to get stuff out but reminders of the changes. Counting sober days is great but its the deeper gains thats got so much importance for me. Quite confronting at times, the lies to myself and others that seem like second nature
Im not much a reader on alcoholism etc but an avid long form podcast listener/watcher as i need a voice other than my dodgy addiction one and i find its really helpful. Have a quick access Freedom list i just press play on when my head gets the itch.
I found Rachel Hart really helpful, she was on podcast with Mel Robbins she doesnt plug " alcoholic never drink again" rather about exploring the thoughts, origins, triggers and focuses on it being a lack of tools over willpower. Which for me is realistically alcohol free as ive a 100% track record of never moderating EVER.
Loving your cat 
pic best non judgemental supporters ever!
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Yes! The thinking can be so illogical. I agree! Journaling is so therapeutic. I’m so glad you found it and that it works for you!! Oh! I love a good podcast! Thank you for sharing, i will hands down check it out. Yes, I AGREE with lack of tools verse willpower. I have been reading that and the fundmentals of will power. It not about the willpower. We got so much of that and a small amount at that its comforting to know we arent a defect with our willpower you know. I never drank all the time, but when i did- i never stopped after a couple. Always got drunk. But now implementing the TOOLS. changing lifestyle. Being aware of triggers, creating new habits, and managing my emotional state is my focus.
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And thanks!! Hes a one eyed, missing teeth, grumpy, old cat ps your cat baby is beautiful! Glad to found another cat lover!
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My cat is one of my sanity life lines! Ive been listening to some recovery podcasts as going to an AA meeting is problematic for me due to my work
What i find is alot of recovery is big horror stories that id convinced myself itcwasnt THAT BAD so my alcoholism kept sneaking under the radar as id have
" normal" drinking of maybe a glass of something and id lie/convince myself i just needed to try harder to manage the daily drinking and increasing amounts and crazy binges. Then i could keep drinking.
So weird writing that down here knowing its going to be seen by others in recovery it hits me " wtf? That is insanity bargaining at its finest! My last drinking session wasnt my worst but in retrospect ive become so desensitized to what is ok and not ok around my drinking that all the planning, lies, falling asleep on my cold concrete path unable to get up, bunking work, then not being able to work ,then being sooooo run down that ive been super sick for weeks in detox soberness …it didnt seem " that bad" How messed up is that?
I keep thinking about all the hundreds and hundreds of utter screw ups ive normalised.
Im only early days but im finding joy in sobriety as screw ups, challenges are all mine and theres not this dark horrid shame of alcohol behind it. I can lean in and do something different and thats powerful.
Hope your journey is going well @Nomad620 !
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