I hit 2 weeks and now I am feeling like I’m having intense cravings. So far I’ve been able to talk myself out of it but I’m scared. The bargaining of, “I can control it and do it responsibly a few times a month” is entering my mind. I don’t want to tell my partners and I don’t want to give in. Trying to focus on watching the days go up and distract myself
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That is the voice of addiction and deceit. Remember what your goals are…I admire how you are standing up to it Michelle!
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I am in the same boat. 2 weeks in and 3 of the nights the cravings have been so bad I was tempted to give in. We can do this. I try and remind myself the feeling later that night or the following day regretting drinking will be stronger and longer than the craving.
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Here are some things that have helped me in the past and to this day:
Understand or at least believe it will pass- it feels like an insatiable urge coming from within us trying to Force our hands to do what our mind thinks we want it to. The reality is that in a short time if left alone we will survive. You’re not going to spontaneously combust or miss out on anything at all if you don’t go back to your drug of choice. That’s reality not what you’re addicted mind is saying. Let it wither. Let It Die. you don’t need it. it needs you.
Let it go- the addiction only has as much power as we let it we have fed it and given it shelter and nurtured it while letting the things which really love and want suffer including ourselves.
Mindfulness to happiness- take time everyday as often as you can to just sit there and feel the present moment. It is very difficult to feel suffering or addiction when we’re in the moment. It is the opposite of craving. Craving pulls us into a million hypothetical Futures causing us anxiety and confusion, giving the addicted mind an opportunity to manipulate us and pull us away from our true desires. When you are home and you have music playing really listen to that music with everything you have. If you watch a movie try to appreciate everything in that movie and if you are washing the dishes try to be very present and aware of every dish you hold. All of these examples are things we often think we’ll be better with our drug of choice but when those voices of craving come up understand that that is not you speaking nor is it some divine inspiration guiding your way instead is just an unnecessary leftover, like an echo, from something you no longer have a need.
The more often you do these actions the less often your mind will try to bring you back and i know that what is a shout now will become a whisper. It can take a long time or at least has for me but I do believe these techniques lead to Freedom and Lasting happiness. In the meantime you’re doing phenomenally!! your strength resilience and intelligence shines through, for you must be all of those things or you would not be here now.
You can do this. You ARE doing this. Take care
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Mindfulness is a constant practice in therapy and is very difficult for sure. Saying we won’t spontaneously combust made me laugh and it’s so true. Obviously I am surviving without it and feel so much better without the guilt and sick feeling after using. Thank you so much
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