Triggers/coping

I am on week one of being AF. I worked Monday and I noticed that getting in the car and driving home was a huge trigger for me. Usually that is when I stop and buy alcohol and plan my drunken evening. I just need some advice or help on how to distract myself or combat the feeling of wanting to stop and pick up alcohol. I am not keeping alcohol in my house so I just need to make it home without buying it! I am just asking because I go back to work tomorrow. Any tips or tricks are welcome

8 Likes

Great work on one week sober!! For me the first couple of weeks were hardest, but eventually things got a more manageable!

A suggestion for the trigger on your way home from work would be to change your route! Don’t take the normal streets/roads on your way home so you don’t pass your usual pick up spot. An extra 10 minutes during your commute is better than risking the big trigger of driving past your go-to liquor store or gas station! Avoiding people/places/things that trigger you can be very helpful when getting sober!

Glad you’re reaching out for suggestions! Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need more support! You’re not alone in this struggle! :smiling_face_with_sunglasses::call_me_hand:

5 Likes

Change your route. More advice in the threads below. Welcome :sunflower:

4 Likes

Being self aware i think…. You know at certain times and situations that those cravings are going to come so to make a plan of what you are going to do to get through them, also I think knowing that you dont have to act on cravings aswell…I think sometimes we feel like slaves to our feelings and forget that actually we do have power over them, we have power over not having that first drink….in the beginning distraction is key after the self awareness so maybe if you know your gonna be triggered on your way home how about doing a playlist that means you cant stop the car until your home maybe?

6 Likes

Congrats on your 1st week,hopefully there will be many more to come for you,as already mentioned change your route home,I had 3 off licenses dotted around me i just ignored them in the end it was tough,I ended up moving home and this problem went away.

Get yourself focused on a few things to keep your mind busy,keep changing things aswell,start a fitness regime if your not already active and of course healthy eating

Im nearly 8 years sober now and I dont really suffer triggers anymore its more emotions, ups and fucking downs i have to deal with now,shit hits different when your sober,roll your sleeves up!!

Wish you well

5 Likes

For me, treating my addictive thoughts as if they were bullies is helpful.

So, in your scenario, when your addictive mind suggests to stop and buy alcohol, you might say out loud (or even shout out loud) : ā€žStop bullying me! Shut the fuck up! I wonā€˜t listen to you! You can’t tell me what to do! Fuck off! Iā€˜m going home, having a perfect night without you!ā€œ

Proud of you for asking for advice :people_hugging::people_hugging::people_hugging:

8 Likes

Thank you for your support. I will be taking a different route this evening! I never thought about doing that

5 Likes

Love this, thank you for the advice and support. I will be taking a different route home and saying fuck you to my inner monolog :heart:

4 Likes

I am glad to be a part of this community. I took the other route home. I took a walk after work and stayed sober. Finishing up my night with a new herbal tea

7 Likes

Well done you!! I love a herbal tea too :blush:

1 Like

Sounds like you are off to a fantastic start…

We love the good news stories here.

Keep it up, be well.

1 Like