Struggles and future… my plan and how do you cope with alcohol impulses?

Life in Recovery
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I’ve struggled with drinking which came on after I saw my business collapse during covid.

since then my journey has been stop / start with alcohol a trend of drinking during times of intense pressure.

I went 9 months without alcohol in 2025, and tried to incorporate alcohol socially, started well until a period of intense pressure with losing a loved one and a cancer diagnosis. A few social drinks turned into 14-20 units a night for the past 90 days.

I can’t live with alcohol, my plan, I’m 3 days sober again, I’ve booked in a tough mudder event with some friends which I need to train for (alcohol will hinder this) I’m going to plan out similar events to ensure I’m always training for a goal and not thinking about alcohol. I’m also started to seek local government help to help me with those times I have cravings and I’ve opened up to my wife, parents which is the first time I’ve done this to have the support if I need it emotionally.

how have you stayed focused on curbing those impulses?

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Good for you for identifying a change needs to occur. Its great that you will be training and working towards a health goal and opened up to your loved ones. While youre training try and change your impulse to self soothe with alcohol. Dig in. What feelings or thoughts are you trying to escape. Doing that work will help when you dont have a fitness goal and encounter triggers.

Did your impulses decrease after 9mo free from booze? Thats typically when the i dont have a problem addiction thoughts try to sneak in.

At the beginning the name of the game was distraction. I hit aa meetings, worked with a sponsor thru the 12steps, took up cooking new recipes, tried new gyms (most usually offer free class or week pass). After distraction the real work came in to process those thoughts/feelings/and beliefs i was running from. Then i learned how to move thru those cravings and reach for healthier habits

Wish you well

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