UGH, tough staying AF tonight!

[jade555]

I went 5 days AF for the first time in 3 years, then I "screwed up" on my birthday ("screwed up" post on July 24th) and since my birthday (Friday, July 23rd) I haven't had anything. But tonight that demon is back and I am so feeling that chilled glass of wine...UGH!!! I don't want to do this! I hate it. I can just taste it! Please remind me of how horrible it is - how I will feel giving in. Please remind me that it is NOT a reward, but rather poison to me.... tough tonight.

[techie]

UGH, tough staying AF tonight!

Jade you know it's poison to us. Drink plenty of water. ANYTHING but alcohol. I have 74 days AF and I still get the taste every so often. It is horrible. The next morning we feel like hell...HELL!!! Be good to yourself. Stay sober and connected to this site. You'll get through this!

[mollyka]

UGH, tough staying AF tonight!

Jade, is it night time where you are? Just go to bed if it is - you'll be mighty in the morning. Project onto the 4th glass and feelin dopey and feel that head you'll have in the morning - not pretty. AND back to Day 1 again NOOOOOOOO not worth it!
Molly

[greeneyes]

UGH, tough staying AF tonight!

uch::yuk::argh::bangull

hows that for starters?

[Doggygirl]

UGH, tough staying AF tonight!

Jade, somewhere here there is an old thread with an article called Don't Stare at the Marshmallow. I'm on the run otherwise I would find it for you, but you can probably search for it. It will help you know what I mean when I suggest..... "don't stare at the marshmallow."

Distraction was my best tool, and that's what I will do if urges beseige me again. ACTIVE things (walking, go to the gym, bike, bake cookies, etc.) always worked better for me than PASSIVE things (read a book, watch TV, etc.). But in a pinch, any distraction will do.

These urges pass. This isn't easy. I had to be absolutely 100% committed in order to get through the difficult times, of which there have been many and I'm sure there will be many more. But we're all just regular people with an addiction. Have HOPE from seeing all the people who are successful AF. YOU CAN DO IT TOO.

DG

[greeneyes]

UGH, tough staying AF tonight!

https://www.mywayout.org/community/f9...est-40030.html

[Ringing Cedars]

UGH, tough staying AF tonight!

Well Jade I'm with you on the no drink since July 23. Although I'm not craving I'm sitting here thinking what I would/will do if I was craving. I think the first thing I would do is go back to my journal to the last time I drank and how awful I felt the next TWO DAYS and I don't want to do go there again. I would also think about what I have to do tomorrow and if I didn't have anything(highly unlikely)I would make arrangements to have something that required my full presence. If I could trust myself to just have two or three drinks--yay--but it's a crap shoot these days and I'm not a gambler. Of course Doggygirl has given some great suggestions. Find something that appeals to you more than alcohol for this night and the cravings will pass. I'm with ya in any event!! Hanging IN, Hanging ON, Hanging OUT

[Ringing Cedars]

UGH, tough staying AF tonight!

HI HO & HO (a gf's saying)

[paguy]

UGH, tough staying AF tonight!

The Marshmellow Test was a very interesting read - thanks for sharing DG and GE. It gives me a lot to think about as I reflect on how I have managed (or not managed) my self-control over the years.

I am practicing a technique that I picked up from the How to Stop Drinking - The Recovery Self Help Project program.

Basically, you respond to your urges/triggers by associating sounds that distract you and make you take action to avoid the temptation. Specifically, when you are faced with an urge, imagine the sound of a whistle blowing, immediately followed by the sound of footsteps that are walking at a fast pace. The whistle blowing is the signal to get your attention and distract you from the urge. The fast paced footsteps represent you taking control and getting away from the situation.

So far, I have found this technique to be fairly simple and effective.

Today is Day 14 AF for me and I am happy to be part of this community!

[jade555]

UGH, tough staying AF tonight!

Thank you all. I got through the night without caving in and I'm headed for bed.

I like the whistle and footsteps visualization. I will try it!

One day at a time is so true, and tonight it was every 5 minutes at a time...

[Ringing Cedars]

UGH, tough staying AF tonight!

Good for you Jade! You will be even more pleased with yourself in the morning! )