Coping with Alcohol Cravings
Coping with cravings is the key to tackling alcoholism. If you can manage to not give in to your cravings, or you can adapt so that you don’t get so many cravings in the first place, then there is no more addiction is there?
How you view your own cravings will determine how much power they have over you. If you believe that a craving won’t naturally go away once it has started, or if you think that the only way to deal with a craving is to drink, then of course you will be fairly powerless over them. This is the cognitive component of your addiction.
Making yourself aware of what things in your life tend to give you cravings, and therefore how you might avoid those situations, becomes a vital skill. For those ‘triggers’ that you can’t avoid, you can learn how to deal with them differently.
Lets say there are four types of cravings:
- a reaction to withdrawal symptoms
- escaping from unpleasant feelings (boredom, depression, anxiety etc.)
- a response to a learnt association (people, places etc)
- enhancing a positive mood
Each type requires a different approach to deal with it. And each person’s approach will be unique to them.
There are six recognised methods for dealing with cravings when they occur:
- distraction
- imagery
- rational responses to automatic thoughts
- activity
- relaxation
- coping flashcards
Distraction – the goal of these methods is to move a person’s attention away from negative internal thoughts or uncomfortable feelings, towards a more neutral external focus. They seem simple, but can all be effective -
- concentrate on your surroundings and describe them to yourself in detail, this can be quite ‘grounding’ when you feel like you’re losing it.
- talk to someone, anyone. A trusted friend, relative, your counsellor or even a total stranger if need be. It can help you get away from that loop running in your head.
- change the scenery – go for a walk, a drive, a bike ride, just get away from wherever you are right now.
- oddly enough, cleaning or other household chores can be perfectly distracting if you’re craving, and you might feel some sense of achievement too.
- video games (or indeed the old fashioned kind) can require enough concentration and challenge to take your mind off it, and of course, you can play them alone.
- I’m sure you can think of some other things to do which are distracting and enjoyable.
Imagery – there are a few different types of imagery which can work -
- command your craving to STOP (see a big stop sign), then refocus on a relaxing location of your choice – a favourite peaceful spot.
- if you start remembering good times when you were drinking, then replace that image with the bad times, your lowest ebb when you felt ashamed and disgusted, do you want to end up back there?
- if it’s negative, depressing images that are giving you cravings, then imagine an optimistic view of your near future, with friends or family, having fun without a drink (or any other positive image).
- if you know you’ve got an event coming up which will give you cravings – try rehearsing the image in your head of you dealing with it appropriately. Run through the feelings you’ll have so you are not caught off-guard by them.
Rational Responses to Automatic Thoughts – whenever you feel a craving, ask yourself “what thoughts are going through my head right now”. Many of the thoughts you are having will themselves be responsible for your craving. It becomes a matter of responding to those thoughts in a more rational way.
- look for evidence to back up or contradict your thought and ask yourself:
- can I look at this situation differently?
- if what I’m thinking is true, what really are the consequences?
- what is likely to happen if I carry on thinking like this?
- what positive action can I take to solve this problem?
Try not to make such catastrophic predictions about your cravings, like “there’s no way I can stand this, so I might as well just drink and get it over with”, “I keep having cravings, so I must be an alcoholic, I can’t beat this…” etc. Cravings usually subside fairly quickly anyway, so just ride it out if need be.
Activity – if you’ve had an addiction to drink for a long time, then you’ve probably not got many hobbies left. In fact quite often, drinking is the only activity you actually do for fun. So when you try and stop, boredom is the biggest hurdle. There’s no way around it – you’re going to have to try some new activities.
When you’ve found a few that you like, make sure you schedule them in every week:
“On Tuesday I’m going swimming, on Thursday I’m going to the cinema with Sally, on Saturday I’m getting out to the countryside for a walk with my partner.”
It will feel weird to some to plan your week this way, but in the early stages of recovery from addiction, it’s essential.
Relaxation – Anxiety, Anger, Frustration and Stress are amongst the biggest triggers for cravings. So learning some relaxation techniques can be a life-saver. If you’re not so tense, you’re less likely to act impulsively. And if you’ve been using alcohol to relax for years, then you are going to have to learn some other methods. Try these:
Simple Relaxation
More Relaxation Techniques
BBC – Relaxation
It will take a while to learn these new techniques, as with any new skill, but keep at it and you’ll be floating around on a cloud of calm like the best Buddhist masters – well, hopefully…
Coping Flashcards – when you’re in the grip of a strong craving, it’s hard to think rationally and remember all the things you’re supposed to. So writing yourself some instructions on a small index card can be useful. (This helps tremendously for people with anxiety too). The priority is to convince yourself that you can cope with this situation. Here’s a few examples of things you might write -
- things are going well with my partner right now, I don’t want to mess it up
- this craving will pass if I just give it time
- I’m not helpless here, what action can I take?
- what are the pros and cons right now?
Remember – It’s just a craving, it won’t kill you. But drinking might…
Read more ways to cope with alcohol cravings…
I quit drinking 6 months ago to the day. Lately, the cravings have progressively increased. Alcohol is all I can think about. I hate going to dinner & ordering tea or water & everyone around me having an alcohlic beverage. I picked a fight with my wife this am just so I can have an excuse if I should stop at the beer store later. Man, this disease is a bitch!
Wow!! Don`t know where to begin…
Started drinking back in 1993 as a bartender. At first it was fun, few shots with guests and fellow bartenders at work. Gradually I started getting drunk at weekends and then almost every day. The amount increased to the point where I found myself drinking alone at home. Once I drunk two bottles of vodka and was still standing. Many times I managed to stop for a while or reduce the amount but far too many times I would drink until I get tired (rarely passed out). Never had any health problems so I guess that kept me going. Many times I would make incidents, arguments and even fights when drunk. In last couple of years problem got worse and worse. I started hurting people around me that really love me. This year I managed to insult and hurt almost everyone I know, even publicly. About three years ago suicidal tendencies began. Constant depression is present and I tried to avoid it with even more drinking. Last weekend turned from a lovely outdoor party to a complete disaster where I left everyone stunned. I am lucky to do what I really like in my life but this horrific habit is making me self-destructive and desperate. Once I was a good cyclist and now I am a great coach but I see that I am loosing respect gradually only because of booze. Mood changes are killing me and I feel it is time to turn it all around. This bitch has to go!!!! I have all support from my wife, friends and family to become a winner once again. It is going to be tough and long race but I promise to all distillers and brewers that they will stay behind me……..
I totlly can relate to you. I am completely obligated to my children and my career as an RN however I literally think ablout when my next drink will be I hate that I want it to stop! I don’t have another way to relax(I feel) work school kids single parent no father meth anphetamine addicts for parents what do I do I really try I want so much more for my girls and I do ok but if I think about when I can have alcohol that is A PROBlEM! I know that yet I still need a drink how does it stop??
I stopped drinking eight weeks ago. I started drinking at 14 and I am now 41. It really is the hardest thing I have ever had to do but it was destroying me and my family. I keep focusing on the losses during recovery rather than the losses whilst drinking – and the bottom line ‘its a no brainer.
Hi lorraine, well done on stopping drinking i really wish i cud. I like you have been drinkin since i was 12 and i’m now 40. I wanna lose weight cos have put so much on and all i worry about is how i can fit aclohol in with my diet!!! how sad is that!!
Hi Tracy – sometimes it takes a real shock for someone to realise how important it is to stop drinking; I hope for your sake that you can get any help you need if you want it; but drinking kills, really – I never realised to what extent until I started counselling people who have issues with drink.
It deludes you into thinking you are happier and more content when it is a depressant; it deludes you into thinking it will make you warmer, but it has the opposite effect; it is carcinogenic (cancer causing) and it is addictive….
If you saw some of the people that I’ve seen in the course of my work with people with alcohol issues, it may make you sit up and notice
take care.
Regarding cravings – I have read from a nutrional standpoint that these are frequently the result of an acid-alkaline imbalance & usually very strong and almost impossible to resist. As an alcohol counsellor, more often I tend to look at the “cognitive” component… i.e. change your thought patterns; realise that the dark feelings can and DO pass… and of course eventually that drink CAN kill you if you don’t take charge of yourself rather than letting the drink take charge of you and your life (see above).
There are some extremely sad life stories around; I see more men in for drink counselling than women and I wonder why – is there more of a social stigma for women to seek help for drink problems than men? Those who get help are lucky; some have lost wives, children, jobs and homes as a result of alcohol dependence.
A nutritionist suggested that to decrease alcohol cravings, make sure you eat complex carbohydrates, vegetables, corn, leafy green vegetables. Eat less fat, salt and animal protein. I don’t know how well this works but if it works for anyone out there, then I am pleased to pass this information on.
This is great information for any kind of addiction.
Especially a drug or alcohol addiction because you will experience cravings as your brain and body adjust to normal ways of functioning.
It is so good to know that they will pass, and you don’t have to give in to them.
I understand and feel every one who has a problem with drinking. Alcohol has taken everything in my life that god has blessed me with.my wife,my jobs,my children,my life and any and everything else you can imagine.its even started affecting my health.I have been to the hospital more times than I care to remember,in and out of detox and rehabs.my withdrawls from drinking is like death with out dying! Today I am sober and only by thae grace of god but just as sure as I write this it seems that my desire to go and get a drink is as strong as I ever felt it! I refuse to die addicted to alcohol! Please pray for me cause it helps! Thanks for letting me share!
I am only 3 days from my last drink and desperate for a better life. I also refuse to die this way. 31 years of drinking, starting over childhood issues, I can’t take it anymore. But I refuse to give up and kc I have sent a prayer out for you cause we are all stronger than we think. We are not powerless, we are tough and these cravings will pass….kc when you ride out a craving you get stronger, even if just a bit, and I will remind myself of this too. I am far more than this ‘affliction’; I am going to make it, and kc you can make it too. Keep your eyes forward and believe….and I say that in spirit to all who’ve battled this…use your immense strength to get through the cravings and hang on to the brighter day. Blessings kc.
I will pray for you and myself as I have stopped and started so many times !! My marriage broke down and now if I dont stop I will lose my daughter and grandchildren.
Take care KC
Carol
I’m only 2 days from my last drink. I’m 41 and have been drinking since I was 16. In fact as I’m writing this message I’m in bed because of a breakdown I experienced the morning after my last binge on Sunday afternoon. Needless to say, I haven’t been to work and as a result, I’ve had to make up a story to say I’m not feeling well to my boss. This disease is destroying my life and it’s like I’m a bystander waiting for bad things to happen in my life. This is my first attempt at trying to address my situation / alcoholism. I feel bad about myself and bad and embarrassing things seem to happen every time I touch a drink of late. I’m worried that I could be suicidal eventually because I’m almost always depressed about scandals and thoughts of having to give up alcohol. I’ve sent out a prayer for all of you guys and I hope you can keep me in your prayers too.
I quit smoking pot about a month ago, now it is time to stop drinking. This is the first night I have been sober in probably ten years. Damn I want a beer, but after reading some of the comments here I know I can do better for myself. Just sitting here being able to type with out making a lot of errors cause I am so hammered is great. I need to change this and I am going to make it. I refuse to be known any longer as the guy who can drink 12 to 15 beers and walk away. They don’t see me puke or wake up and call in to work “sick”. Funny thing is my wife never says a word, just puts up with it. Maybe that is because she comes from a home of alcoholics, and just doesn’t know anything else. The last time I tried to quit I stayed sober for a week. That was over ten years ago… That’s it for me I’m done with beer or any substance for that matter. No more lost time, no more I can’t do it. I will beat this crap if it is the last thing I do.
I have to give up drinking as my health is suffering. My husband buys wine every night and I try to not have a glass but I always do. One glass goes to one bottle and one bottle ends up being two. Feel so sick the next day but I still end up doing it. Ended up getting my 18 year old to go and buy another bottle the other night as I had finished the first one. How bad is that! Fell down and broke my leg as I was drunk last year. Still haven’t learnt my lesson. So, I am hoping to turn over a new leaf.
keep trying. You lose nothing by trying even if it’s over and over.
Went on a two day binge on thursday. had supposed “friends” take advantage of me and steal money from me when i was intoxicated. Made a close friend cry because she told me I had a problem and was never around anymore because she doesnt drink and i called her crazy. every month have to buy a new cell phone, new camera, and replace my things because i break them while intoxicated. drank two whole bottles of alcohol and still survived. on the verge of losing my job now because i have called in sick several times. has had one dui already and should have had two more but by the grace of God police waited for me to sober up and let me go. have been an alcoholic for six years now (25 years old) and have used alcohol to cope with social anxiety and problems stemming from childhood. turned my phone off tonight because everybody is halloween parties and keep posting about it and asking me to go and instead i am home alone lonely and wishing i could be there and drink normallly like everyone else but i know i cant. made a fool out of myself in front of so many people. legs are all bruised up from falling when intoxicated and part of my bone is sticking out. started going to rehab and seeing a counselor and praying i can get through this and live a normal happy life.
Please read this carefully. I drank a half bottle at least of vodka every day for 10 years. I have been sober 3 months and I feel amazing now- no rehab or AA needed in my case (everyone is different).The truth is I drank every night because if I didn’t I would not be able to sleep- I would be in a weird haze and wide awake all night with crazy sugar cravings. After I quit drinking 2 days I had terrifying nightmares and the wettest night sweats you can imagine for 3 nights- I honestly just thought I had the flu at the time since no dt’s. This is very very important – I stopped eating sweets/sugar/white flour/bread/pasta/potatoes cold turkey. It was hard the first week, only eating beef, turkey, chicken, veggies, eggs etc but after 2 weeks my alcohol cravings (sugar cravings- I know, right?) Went away! I have never felt better! Please read this it will change your life. I quit drinking 10 years ago for 1 month but I ate doughnuts and candy and chocolate milk but the cravings came back. Cut out sugar for awhile, this will save your life. Alcohol addiction is linked to sugar addiction.
Well I have gone six days with out any alcohol. The first few nights were really hard. No sleep for two days. Some how I made it this far and I will make it. Strange how something seems so huge that you can’t get around it, then after years finally it’s behind and you wonder what took so long. Thanks God for helping me be strong to make it this far.
Were do i start
the last time i had a prober drink was on Wedensday i simply drank till i count stand any thing that was in my reach i had to have. it was my only uncles funeral the next day and i cudnt handle it had never been to 1 in my life and i am 17. I cudnt handle it so i got totally out of it and stayed at a mates the next morning i walked past the cemetary in where he was getting cremated and seen all of my family making there way in. I stood there at the gates and sobbed. I went home and what did i do reach for the bottle again with me still feeling a bit drunk all the drink kicked in from the night before. i tryed to relax having a soak in the bath and it diddnt work all i wanted was a bottle my mam n sister who is 34 come home and they wen mad which i dont blame them i tried to say why i didnt go explaining that i was the last person to see im alive n i seen im twice wen he passed away and i cudnt say goodbye again. but they wernt having it. i have been drinking since i was 11 as i found out something that i didnt want to belive n that was that my dad wasnt my biological father ad that it was my mams sisters husbands brother who was i coundnt belive it. i hit the bottle from then on drinking constantly goin to school out of it and getting locked up all the time for fighting. causeing arguments with my family and pushing every1 away from me. my mam has said that she has had enuff and that she wants me to get out cause she cant handle it so it looks like i will be goin with my real father which i dont want. really i just need sum 1 to talk to cause it seems i am drinking constantly to block things out and i cant do it any more this drinking has to STOP!!!!!!
hi debbi sorry to hear about your uncle i do feel for you.iv lost my mum 6 months ago hit the bottle big time iv stopped one week ago.your mum is hurting at moment as she.s lost a brother please try and cuddle her and say sorry i wish i had my mum here.as for you stopping its down to you no one can tell you to stop i hated it when my girls try to tell me what to do im 53 years old if you reply to me il do what i can do to encourage you,teke care but its not easy debbi
I have been attending AA now for just over a year now but still have the one day binges on a weekly basis, although I am fully aware that I am an alcoholic I just don’t seem to have the power to kill the cravings.
I have all the books and stuff and throw myself into it then when I feel better it all starts all over again and it has become a nightmare to me, if anyone has any suggestions please let me know.
I too have suffered many years as an Alcoholic. A few years back I was on the right path, attending daily meetings and passing my time learning new things, exercising and hanging out with sober people.
Your life path can change and the way to do it is to get help. Go to AA meetings. they really do work.
I failed and have fallen back to my old ways but I know that life is better without drinking. I just thought that I had beaten this and could have a few…I was so wrong. Once you have a cycle of drinking it will just go back to the same cycle over and over. I know today is the first day of my new life.
Please Danni you are so young. Go to AA no-one will be able to understand what you are going through otherwise. I hope everyone here finds a better quality of life for themselves. Good luck
I have been battling with the booze for 35 years. I am now nearly 50, have a lovely home, husband and a job which I enjoy.. Drink does not always affect me badly but probably one every couple of weeks when I drink at the weekend I get very very drunk. I feel terrible the next day and it is beginning to affect my relationship at home. I am not alcodol dependent and never suffer withdrawal and am quite happy not to drink in the week. Its just when I start I dont seem to able to stop. The thought of never drinking again scares me but I am sick of feeling bad about what I say and do when I drink too much. I feel I will be missing out if I have ti give up. Any suggestions
Hi
Im 27 have been going through the same thing, I binge 1 day a week and have been for years. If i dont have a drink on a friday night then im craving…I stopped smoking properly about a year ago and started to social smoke while drinking as the 2 go well together. I seem to be craving that too, but dont smoke all week. I cannot have one or two and go home, as I onlt drink one night a week, I drink untill im wasted.
I experienced an alcoholic parental suicide 5 years ago and I think thats when the troubles began…hate social events without a drink…dont have many friends left..havent had any counselling or AA but feel I need help as depending on drink. would appreciate any comments or help. sending out hugs to you all.
templestowe06@hotmail.com
Ben x
It’s 1:30 in the morning. I’ve had one glass of wine this evening, the token amount I spared of the two bottles the night before. I wanted some, so I drank it, and now I want it 100x worse. By some mix of composure and circumstances I’ve managed to avoid going to the grocery to buy more.
I’m guilty of all of the classic alcoholic behaviors. I manage appearances so I can drink far more than I appear to. For every bottle I bring home, there’s an extra out in the car or stashed in the bushes. I feel horrible when I wake up and swear off the stuff, only to be back at it by nightfall. I’ve been doing this crap for years.
I hate alcohol, yet the thought of life without it terrifies me.
I think back to my youth, before I started drinking. All those fond memories and fun times and alcohol was never a part of them. I remember them, but I don’t understand them. To someone like me, for whom the fun doesn’t start until the 2nd or 3rd, such memories seem positively alien.
Today, however, something really got to me. My wife asked me point blank how many bottles I bought last night. I don’t know why she asked. Something probably didn’t add up, or maybe she found some evidence.
I looked her straight in the eye, and I lied to her. I lied to the woman I love to protect the devil.
I feel like an ass, but along with that is a feeling I’ve not had in ages: hope. I’m encouraged by the fact that this lie is so bothersome to me.
My guilt and shame has always been closely guarded and private, but now it’s leaking out into the open. People are beginning to see how pathetic I’ve become. I have something to answer for.
I want to be a kid again. I want to be free.
Hi
I want to be free too, this is the first time I have ever wrote anything on an internet site, or openly discussed my addiction. After reading your comments Ian, you have made me think. I have tried, just buying one bottle of wine a day, as if there are two in the house then, I will likely open the 2nd one too, I often wonder why I cannt leave ANY in the bottle, even if I’m feeling unwell, drunk, desparatly tired, I still have to finish the bottle. Every morning I say ‘thats it no more alcohol’ and every evening I cannt wait to ‘start’. I didnt start drinking till I was 40 (I’m now 59), I used to have the time of my life on a carton of orange juice. I’m sick of feeling hungover, and feel like I’m killing myself, looking bleary eyed, and cannt remember what I even thought 5 minutes ago. I often think there is many a TV ad urging people to get a ‘patch’ to stop smoking and wish someone would come up with a ‘patch’ to stop drinking. The Devil isn’t happier than when we are drinking. he loves to watch us destroy our lives, and other lives. – I feel that God is saying ” BE STILL and know that I am GOD. I am going to try and be still in his presence and I pray that others can find STRENGTH in him too.
Why do people post pictures of alcohol on a site like this? It is like an advertisement designed to make people drink. Stupid!
It’s not designed to make people drink Mickey, it’s designed to help them learn to deal with alcohol cravings – if you can’t cope with a picture, then you don’t stand a chance with the real thing.
I see what you mean, but I’ve been sober for six months and that picture gives me cravings. Whatever…. I’ll look elsewhere for support.
Admin, you are 110% correct. We will see bottles of alcohol in everyday life around us all the time. We must learn to become comfortable with having the pictures in front of us, because it is always going to be around us.
No admin,
Mickey is 100 percent right. You talk about distraction procedures yet use a highly stylized photo which an ad agency would use to stimulate desire to drink. By making alcohol look attractive you are providing a stimulus, when you should in fact be illustrating alcohol’s negative effects. Of course alcohol is everywhere but learning to live without it doesn’t mean you should go to the pub every day to prove you don’t have to drink.
‘Highly stylized’? it’s a glass with some wine being poured into it. We are not ‘making alcohol look attractive’, as only the viewer can decide what is attractive or not. Those who are likely to be reading this article will be aware of alcohol’s negative effects, so it’s not our responsibility to illustrate it here. We did not suggest that anyone should go to the pub every day to prove anything.
Hi admin,
I don’t want to take this point much further, but if you are unable to see what a first year undergrad psychology student would, then you are not contributing to a positive outcome. The notion that only the ‘viewer’ can decide what is attractive is either very naive or shows a breathtaking lack of understanding of how we are all subjected to images that sway us into making decisions – good or bad – on a daily basis. The creation of desire through imagery is a well known fact. If you believe that this image is an appropriate introduction for an alcohol advice site, I will leave that to your judgement. However, I would respectfully suggest that you reconsider your opinion.
hey wonder if u can give me sme advice i cant stay out the pub i really need sme advice plz can smeone help me
i have been there and done that am now free for almost 7 years.when people talk about the maniacal cravings i understand. i kept an open mind went for aa meetings like a man possessed. see,there are many things i dont like about aa, the people, but the bottomline is if we are serious we wiil definetily achieve sobriety. bcomplex vitamins,light exercise,getting new hobbies and believing in god will surely help you.simple things like getting up early,having food at the right time an the key is and this is the biggest- helping other alcoholics. in short do it slowly and easily.believe me,i never had any job inspite of being educated,no goals ,only drink and and drink .today i have a decent job. so all u there u can do it and live a happy life.mb from a place called india
i am just beginning my road to recover from alchohol, i can’t believe how hard it is. i go to meetings and get some kind of comfort and peace, but the cravings are dreadful, like panic and i honestly don’t know how i’m going to get through this…i’ve lost almost everything, my lover, my good job,
my sanity…drinking has never brought me anything but pain and i still go back it…a moth to the flame…i gave up doing drugs years ago because i knew they would kill me, but drink will kill me too and i am drawn to it irresistably….keep coming back they say and i will. and may you all have a good day….
After reading so many stories. I am feeling motivated. I lost my job, wife, mother, and family due to my drinking problems. My freinds do not pick my call due to my alcoholism.This is my 2nd day, I am sober. I decided firmly that anyhow I would not touch this bitch again. It destroyed all of my life. Money is gone like anything. Wish me good luck. Cravings around 7pm are horrible. I just can’t handle it. But this time I will succeed.
have just found this website.I have hep.c and am 55 yrs old and i cant stop regularly drinking in the evenings.have quit other addictions….smoking and narcotics (15 years)….but now i have this alcohol thing hanging on. searching for an insight into myself as to what the hell is going on…or is this as good as it gets..
I am 26, and have drank at least 10 pints or more of guiness a day for the last 8 years, the idea of being sober is a dream for me at the moment. I only feel content when I am in a pub environment, everything else just seems to bore me. I feel at comfort most when I have had a drink, I am not a bad drunk, most people think there is something wrong with me when I haven’t had a drink. I don’t drink at home, my sleeping pattern revolves around that of the pubs opening times. Changing ones behaviors is easier said than done when one is in a vicious cycle with no formidable way out. I wish one day I will find something that can help me conquer this terrible affliction. Until then, mines a pint.
hello.
all of out there.like i said earlier.bcomplex,vitamin,exercise,any hobby and meetings-aa-100% important. you will be alcoholfree.see meetings gives us motivation and the 12 steps gives us behaviour change .even 1 year meeting is enough once sobriety habit is formed then its easy. so please all of you dont despair and think negative. live life and do everything that u wanted without drinks.i can confidently say that out of 100 people who drink 90 get addicted because the nature of alcohol is addictive. so dont blame yourself it happens you are not drinking tea,coffee or lemon juice. get started. life is waiting for you. all the best and my prayers for all of you
all the best and love
I am sitting here crying , I can relate to so many people here..
I am on day 4 of being sober, I have been to 2 AA Meetings and am struggling whether it is for me.
In 1 hour we are going to a party , I am trying to convinve myself it is ok to have a couple beers , I trying to convince myself I am not a Alcoholic ….
Im 40 , married to a lovely man, 3 children… he said in the week he will leave me if things don’t chnge … he says its the wine that does it, not when I drink beer. I feel sad i am losing out on not drinking , but i dont want to do I?
A mess i feel i am in , and where do I go from here???? Do i give in a have a beer, or not??? Messed up is my mind !!
Kiks .. That could have been me , writing your post … hugs
A friend just rang and said come over for a wine !! How do I tell people I am no longer drinking ??
Hi Louise- it is really up to you. Some people openly say i am an alcoholic or i’m in recovery. You could always say you are on a health detox or on a diet. Some even say they are allergic. It is probably the best for you to say that you are on a health detox and giving your liver a cleanse. That way nobody will pressurise you into having a few drinks with them and so on. Best of luck xx
Louise
Great you had the courage to reach out to the folks on the blog
I have only just discovered this facility and I keen to understand how you are doing?
Have you managed another day without a drink?
I am having a really hard time controlling my drinking… I starting drinking in college and would have fun… since then, with my stressful job and family. I used to drink to relax and unwind, now it feels more like an attempt to escape from my life, my unhappiness, sadness, and dissatisfaction with everything and everyone – most of all myself.
I don’t want to keep feeling this way or doing this to my body… but I am having a really hard time stopping or even controlling it. Any thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions?
Hi vanessa I know how you feel. This disease is terrible! I find myself struggling. Do you go to meetings? Feel free to write me maybe we can help each other.