June free from AL
This seems to me like a really important part of it -- we can get to the point where intellectually and logically we are done with drinking. Forever. But that doesn't mean that we will never have a thought, urge, longing, craving, or whatever for our favorite drink. They seem to become less frequent and maybe in time they go away. Until then, we just have to be able to deal with them whether they come every afternoon at 4 pm, like they did for me at the beginning, or they appear unexpectedly just when you thought you were free.
I try to look at those responses for what they are - just feelings. Neurons firing. Feelings do not have to lead to actions. The part of the brain that generates those feelings is the part that dominated my life for too long and I'm not going to let it be in charge again. This is one area of my life where I'm not going to try to tame my control-freak personality. I want my rational self to take the drive to drink, evaluate it, play the situation forward, and make the decision not to drink. After you do it enough times and successfully navigate enough "firsts without drinking", that process goes from taking several minutes to being almost instantaneous --- almost like the thought was not even there.
Miley;1523125 wrote: I have to say last night was an awful struggle. I managed tovget through it but it was tough. I honestly didn't want to drink but was having a craning.....very confusing.
Miley
jenniech;1523297 wrote: Miley
That is EXACTLY the problem I keep having. Not wanting to drink but having a craving.....So, I chalk it up to my body not quite adjusted yet to AF life. I mean, I DID drink HEAVILY for many many years so I don't blame my body for being confused.
The important thing is, my mind says NO because I think it through...I visualize the results of what would happen if I did pick up. Definitely not worth it.
Good job in not listening to those cravings!!!
Miley
jenniech;1523297 wrote: Miley
That is EXACTLY the problem I keep having. Not wanting to drink but having a craving.....So, I chalk it up to my body not quite adjusted yet to AF life. I mean, I DID drink HEAVILY for many many years so I don't blame my body for being confused.
The important thing is, my mind says NO because I think it through...I visualize the results of what would happen if I did pick up. Definitely not worth it.
Good job in not listening to those cravings!!!
I try to look at those responses for what they are - just feelings. Neurons firing. Feelings do not have to lead to actions. The part of the brain that generates those feelings is the part that dominated my life for too long and I'm not going to let it be in charge again. This is one area of my life where I'm not going to try to tame my control-freak personality. I want my rational self to take the drive to drink, evaluate it, play the situation forward, and make the decision not to drink. After you do it enough times and successfully navigate enough "firsts without drinking", that process goes from taking several minutes to being almost instantaneous --- almost like the thought was not even there.
!
Comment