The Brain is sneaky. Today as I showered I started thinking about my week, my plans… you know just every day things. And the thought of winding down with a few drinks crept into my head … as if it was part of my normal schedule. And this is what scares me! The subtlety of it, the nonchalant innocent thought of I’ll just pour myself a few drinks. So here I am sober but thinking of not being sober and reaching out asking for that help and wisdom of others. Please 
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When I first started therapy I routinely saw the same person for about a year. Due to safety reasons they needed to move locations.
My very next visit to them after their move, habitual routine caused me to drive to the old location.
The crazy thing is once I started going to the new place, that habit was changed.
These thoughts too, can be shifted. It just takes dedication, consistency, and focus. 
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And practice. This is a major one.
We are the owners of our changes.
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Yes replacing with other positive habits. Thank you for this example. It’s like creating new pathways in the brain.
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That’s exactly it.
Everytime I visited a gas station or grocery store I was also addicted to chocolate bars.
I had to learn to say no when tempted. In this case I would not suggest it not even for a bit with alcohol, or other substances because it’s too tempting.
I had to get to a point where I could bring some up to the till then put them back. Again,… Not something I would ever do with substances. It’s just an example of shifting the way the brain works.
If this is what happens at this time routinely make a plan. What can you do to replace your doc with something healthy? Like music in the shower to change the mood, have a carbonated flavoured water instead? Just distract the mind from the unhealthy thought and replace it with healthy
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Of course it pops in your head…its basically what weve trained it to do through our regular drinking, i agree with replacing it with new things to do but for that to become your new normal it takes time…it definitely happens though i know that for certain
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And it’s funny how the brain tries to give you a positive feeling when you have the thought as if it’s going to be pleasurable but then I think about while I am drinking or the aftermath and how it’s not pleasurable and I end up vomiting and being sick the next day.
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Thank you Starlight
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Congrats on day 2 Button. Be kind to yourself. No need to criticize your struggling brain right now. During my first couple days, I would instinctively reach for the refrigerator door every time I walked past it. I didn’t even realize that that the habit was so ingrained in my mind until I had nothing I needed to grab out of it. That tik has subsided now.
Embrace those thoughts, don’t ignore them. Realize that it is natural and expected. And then act accountable to you and us and decline the action to drink today.
Glad you shared this with us today
-Solar
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I pledge today not to drinkEverytime that happened to me in the first year I would come here and start reading or listen to a sobriety podcast. My brain was playing tug of war so I’d call in reinforcement🙂. Congratulations on taking a big step to a much better life. You can do this, you deserve a sober, happy, healthy life!
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