Does it get easier through time?

[rebirth]

Hi everyone. I have not had a drink for 15 days now and was wondering whether it will get any easier in time? I battle with cravings so I have purposely avoided all the places I usually go to at the weekends or avoided people who I use to drink with just to protect my sobriety. I have even told my boyfriend that he is not to hang out with me if he wants to drink. But I cant do this forever..or can I ? Do I have to?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I am feeling a bit lost.

[Doggygirl]

Does it get easier through time?

Hi rebirth. Congratulations on 15 AF days! That is awesome. For me, those early days were certainly the hardest.

This isn't easy. Our problems didn't develop over night and they don't go away over night either. But it DOES get easier with time. Keep faith in that.

You will have lots of choices in front of you about how you want your AF life to be. There is no "right answer" so long as you are able to stay sober, whatever you choose.

For me, I have changed most of my "people places and things" other than my husband, who has always been a "normie" drinker, and who doesn't keep any booze in the house and who doesn't drink when he's with me. I just don't have fun hanging out in bars or places where drinking is the central focus. I've developed lots of new interests and new friendships with sober people. This didn't happen over night - it happened over time. Even after two years, I really just don't have fun going to Drinking Events. It doesn't bother me to be around people drinking so long as the drinking is NOT the main focus.

I don't know if that helps. As long as you make sobriety your #1 priority, you will be able to figure out what does and doesn't work for you in your sober life.

Great job on the AF days!!

DG

[papmom3]

Does it get easier through time?

Hi Rebirth,
Yes, in my experience it does get easier with time, especially if your motivation is a strong one and one you can keep going to. Many people here will tell you that you have to do whatever you can to protect your sobriety and that might include dumping drinking friends (that includes boyfriends) who don't support you and try to sabotage your committment. It also includes finding other ways to relax, socialize, hang out. Many people here have used AA for support and socialization in addition to MWO. It's not for everyone but you wont' know if it is or isn't until you try it.
As far as cravings go there are numerous ways to deal with them. If the cravings are physical the supplements work wonders. If they are psycological, the CDs can be a big help, writing down a plan helps tremendously (you must identify your triggers and what you are going to do to avoid or get through them), exercise is a biggy as is trying to avoid unusal amounts of sugar (alcohol is nothing but sugar so many of us become sugar junkies when we go AF).
Learning to see your new AF self as a new way of life, like eating healthy and exercising daily helps to overcome those feelings of deprivation and loss. Remember, AL was NOT your friend. You may have thought it was helping your through certain times of your life or situations but all it was doing was numbing you and letting you avoid dealing with them in a mature and thoughtful way.

I wish you the best of luck rebirth. This can be done and successfully and the rewards reaped will be too numerous to count. Please beleive me when I say there is no way I would have written these words when I was on my first 15 days. Now I'm past 100 and feeling great and confident!!

:l

[papmom3]

Does it get easier through time?

Cross post DG!! Good morning! Forgot to say :goodjob: on the 15 days AF rebirth!!

[Doggygirl]

Does it get easier through time?

Good morning P3!

[Lavande]

Does it get easier through time?

Hi rebirth,

Congrats on your 15 AF days! Keep going, you won't be sorry

Take a look in the https://www.mywayout.org/community/f1...box-27556.html
for good ideas to keep yourself busy during these early days. I will get easier in time, for now you have to wait it out. Keeping myself very occupied & busy was very helpful. The CDs really helped me as well.

Wishing you continued success on your journey!

Lav

[rebirth]

Does it get easier through time?

Thank you Papmom3 and Doggygirl for the advice..
I guess I shall carry on making my sobriety number one and then see what unfolds from it.Its been a struggle sometimes but even now I can see little changes in me happening already. E.g yesterday was a beautiful afternoon. My normal reaction would have been " Wow, the sun is out. Great weather to drink outdoors". Now its " Wow, the sun is out. Perfect for a riverside walk" That really made me smile.
Got to keep at it...

[rebirth]

Does it get easier through time?

Sorry for this silly question but what CD's are they? Where do I get them?

[greeneyes]

Does it get easier through time?

rebirth;889608 wrote: Now its " Wow, the sun is out. Perfect for a riverside walk" That really made me smile.
Got to keep at it...

THAT really made ME smile!! I'd love to go with you!

[Doggygirl]

Does it get easier through time?

I think she is talking about the hypnosis CD's that are available through the My Way Out health store. If you haven't already done so, I would suggest downloading the My Way Out book and giving it a read. The My Way Out program really helped get me started on my journey to sobriety.

DG

[rebirth]

Does it get easier through time?

I was reading a thread yesterday that began with " you know you are an alcoholic when.." I cant find it now... I feel it will help me with any future cravings as it reminds me of my behaviour when drinking.
Does anyone know where I can find this thread again?

[rebirth]

Does it get easier through time?

Thank you Sheri. They will come in handy. x

[LVT25]

Does it get easier through time?

I just want to say, yes, it does get easier. And better. It is so worth it, keep up the great work.
:goodjob:

[stillbreathin]

Does it get easier through time?

Hi guys,
First night on the post....okay, I have had a serious problem myself (never let it be a problem for my kids) and I have been doing some serious soul searching.....
I don't have any enable-er friends, but everyone expects me to be the life of the party.....if I don't have a drink in my hand, one is found for me. My husband even said he prefers me to drink if we have people over, because i am "more interesting" (I have taken this to mean, I am boring otherwise). He has stated that he married me knowing about my drinking problem because he liked "different" things, sooooo - what does one do??? I am the freak show of the local circus and not sure what to do - my boys (teenagers) don't seem to mind their "eccentric" mother.....help?

[Doggygirl]

Does it get easier through time?

:welcome: still breathin'.

Alcohol addiction gets worse with time. The liklihood is great that if you are addicted to alcohol, you will drink more and more and the consequences will get more severe and less "funny" or "interesting" or "life of the party."

I have heard several Alateen speakers. If you think your children are unaware....well....the kids I have heard speak were aware of a whole lot more than their parents were aware they were aware.

If you believe you need to sober up, then I encourage you to do so. It is your body that you are poisoning. I wouldn't do that for someone else's entertainment - not even my husband's.

Maybe you could talk honestly with your husband about your concerns? Ultimately, you have to decide what is right for you no matter what anyone else thinks. You are the one who will suffer any consequences.

DG