I've noticed a lot of posts about alcohol cravings among newbies this past week. Since I'm a newbie myself and am just starting to gain confidence in my ability to resist alcohol urges, I decided to share the following light-hearted dialogue below, in the hope that it helps emphasize how illusory our alcohol cravings can be.
Principal Characters:
My Addicted Brain
My Better Judgment
Scene 1, Friday at 9pm
Addicted Brain: I'm bored. I think knocking back a few whiskeys is in order.
Better Judgment: You've been doing so well, why would you want to throw away all your progress for a night of drinking?
Addicted Brain: Who cares! I WANT a drink! I NEED a drink! Drinking brings me pleasure and I deserve to feel pleasure whenever I want, regardless of the circumstances.
Better Judgment: In the past, think of all the times you've gone a few weeks without alcohol and then given into your cravings. Can you honestly think of a single occasion where you didn't regret your decision?
Addicted Brain: So what. That only proves my point, that life without alcohol makes for a boring life! Clearly if life were enjoyable without alcohol, I would've refrained from giving in those times.
Better Judgment: How can you say that? For the past 13 years you have associated enjoying life and experiencing pleasure with alcohol. In fact, over the past 5 years you have essentially EXCLUSIVELY associated pleasure with alcohol, at the expense of more productive endeavours.
Addicted Brain: That's bullshit. I've enjoyed other things.
Better Judgment: Name some of these things. What productive things have you done in your spare time over the past 5 years? Be honest.
Addicted Brain: [ silence ]
Better Judgment: That's what I thought. Moreover, have you really given the sober life a try? How can you sit there and claim that a life without alcohol means a life without pleasure when you've only quit drinking for 13 days. It took you years to develop your drinking habits, which is why it's plain dubious to expect a life without alcohol to magically appear better at the outset. It takes time. You need to develop new habits and really give this sober thing a chance.
Addicted Brain: Well, perhaps I'll do that next week or so, but tonight I WANT to drink! I NEED to drink!
Better Judgment: You've said this many times in the past, and as history has proven, postponing the decision to commit to an alcohol-free existence is no easier if you put it on the shelf for a while. The best time to quit is now.
Addicted Brain: I admit, this makes sense, but I still WANT TO DRINK!!! I need it!!
Better Judgment: I'll tell you what. If you can honestly give me one credible reason why you should drink tonight, amidst the myriad problems alcohol has caused for you over the past 5 years, I'll personally pour you the first drink. Please, go ahead.
Addicted Brain: [ silence ]
Better Judgment: I'm waiting.
Addicted Brain: [ silence ]
Better Judgment: That's what I thought. You have no solid reason to drink. Rather, like a spoiled child used to getting his or her way, you're whining about not getting to drink DESPITE the full knowledge of what it has done to you.
Addicted Brain: Fine. [ walks away sulking ]
Scene 2, Saturday at noon
Addicted Brain: Wow, I feel great today. Maybe there is something to this sobriety thing. I'm glad you convinced me not to drink last night.
Better Judgment: You're welcome [ smiling ]
Principal Characters:
My Addicted Brain
My Better Judgment
Scene 1, Friday at 9pm
Addicted Brain: I'm bored. I think knocking back a few whiskeys is in order.
Better Judgment: You've been doing so well, why would you want to throw away all your progress for a night of drinking?
Addicted Brain: Who cares! I WANT a drink! I NEED a drink! Drinking brings me pleasure and I deserve to feel pleasure whenever I want, regardless of the circumstances.
Better Judgment: In the past, think of all the times you've gone a few weeks without alcohol and then given into your cravings. Can you honestly think of a single occasion where you didn't regret your decision?
Addicted Brain: So what. That only proves my point, that life without alcohol makes for a boring life! Clearly if life were enjoyable without alcohol, I would've refrained from giving in those times.
Better Judgment: How can you say that? For the past 13 years you have associated enjoying life and experiencing pleasure with alcohol. In fact, over the past 5 years you have essentially EXCLUSIVELY associated pleasure with alcohol, at the expense of more productive endeavours.
Addicted Brain: That's bullshit. I've enjoyed other things.
Better Judgment: Name some of these things. What productive things have you done in your spare time over the past 5 years? Be honest.
Addicted Brain: [ silence ]
Better Judgment: That's what I thought. Moreover, have you really given the sober life a try? How can you sit there and claim that a life without alcohol means a life without pleasure when you've only quit drinking for 13 days. It took you years to develop your drinking habits, which is why it's plain dubious to expect a life without alcohol to magically appear better at the outset. It takes time. You need to develop new habits and really give this sober thing a chance.
Addicted Brain: Well, perhaps I'll do that next week or so, but tonight I WANT to drink! I NEED to drink!
Better Judgment: You've said this many times in the past, and as history has proven, postponing the decision to commit to an alcohol-free existence is no easier if you put it on the shelf for a while. The best time to quit is now.
Addicted Brain: I admit, this makes sense, but I still WANT TO DRINK!!! I need it!!
Better Judgment: I'll tell you what. If you can honestly give me one credible reason why you should drink tonight, amidst the myriad problems alcohol has caused for you over the past 5 years, I'll personally pour you the first drink. Please, go ahead.
Addicted Brain: [ silence ]
Better Judgment: I'm waiting.
Addicted Brain: [ silence ]
Better Judgment: That's what I thought. You have no solid reason to drink. Rather, like a spoiled child used to getting his or her way, you're whining about not getting to drink DESPITE the full knowledge of what it has done to you.
Addicted Brain: Fine. [ walks away sulking ]
Scene 2, Saturday at noon
Addicted Brain: Wow, I feel great today. Maybe there is something to this sobriety thing. I'm glad you convinced me not to drink last night.
Better Judgment: You're welcome [ smiling ]
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