Booze Beast Lie #3 - I Can't!

[Doggygirl]

The Booze Beast likes to convince us of many things we can't do without Booze.

Examples?

"I can't socialize effectively (be funny, interesting, etc.) without a few drinks."

"I can't handle stress without a few drinks."

"I can't be around other people who are drinking and choose not to drink."

......and the biggest lie of all in the "Can't" department......

"I can't stop drinking!"

Nobody said it would be easy, and there are plenty of long term success stories here at MWO that testify to that. For most of us the road to sobriety is challenging. BUT... WE CAN DO IT!!!! The first step is believing we CAN stop, and we CAN life normal lives through good and bad times without Booze.

So what lies have you fallen for in the "I can't..." department? How can we work to change our stinkin' drinkin' thinkin' to accept the truth - we CAN stop the madness if we get on a good program like MWO, and learn how to choose not to drink?

I want to believe with all my heart, every minute of every day that I CAN stop drinking - FOREVER. It might be difficult at times but it's not impossible unless I choose to quit quitting.

Other examples and thoughts and experiences????

DG
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[Hannah]

Booze Beast Lie #3 - I Can't!

I CAN'T BE HAVING A BUMMER DAY WITHOUT DROWNING MY SORROWS

This one almost bit me in the ass tonight! I have had a low grade headache for two days, and this afternoon it progressed into a humdinger. So I decided that there was no way I could go to the BBQ feeling that way, and made the decision to stay at home. 1. Because I just don't feel social at the moment and 2. I know darn well I would be much too tempted to have a little drinkee.....

And recognizing that, I made the very wise decision to stay home. However, the other side of the coin is that now I was feeling left out and lonely. ANOTHER TRIGGER! The temptation was there to drive to the liquor store.....probably what kept me on the straight and narrow is that I have almost a month AF and I don't want to blow it now! Took the dog for a walk, and the fresh air felt good. Right now I am sitting with a glass of AF wine at my elbow, and feeling good about my choices.

[Hannah]

Booze Beast Lie #3 - I Can't!

Huh, I am shortchanging myself - have 37 days AF, actually. Guess the headache was affecting me more than I thought! Duhhhhhh.....

[Doggygirl]

Booze Beast Lie #3 - I Can't!

Hannah, congrats on 37 Days AF!! We missed making a thread for you last weekend didn't we??? You need to be LOUDER and PROUDER girl!! Here's a little something because you CAN do this and you ARE doing this. :cheering:

DG
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[boozehag]

Booze Beast Lie #3 - I Can't!

Well done Hannah
37 days - that is so great. I am sure you made the right decision - in the long run it was just a BBQ and there will be many more no doubt for you to enjoy AF or mod when you are feeling stronger.
I think we do have to change our social patterns a little to protect ourselves from surprise attacks from AL - certainly in the beginning anyway and to give ourselves as many AF days as possible as then it really does make you think before you drink as you dont want to ruin your progress. I did isolate myself a bit in the beginning as I couldnt risk those triggers dragging me back down into the pit and it might have been a bit lonely at times but it was worth it as now I am so muchy stronger for it.
BH (no more)

[Miss Behaving]

Booze Beast Lie #3 - I Can't!

Hannah;342024 wrote: [SIZE=5][COLOR=DarkOrchid] However, the other side of the coin is that now I was feeling left out and lonely. ANOTHER TRIGGER! The temptation was there to drive to the liquor store.....probably what kept me on the straight and narrow is that I have almost a month AF and I don't want to blow it now! Took the dog for a walk, and the fresh air felt good. Right now I am sitting with a glass of AF wine at my elbow, and feeling good about my choices.

go hannah!

m

[Tiny]

Booze Beast Lie #3 - I Can't!

Aunty Mame -- love the avatar!!!

Hannah -- great news on 37 days!!!

OK -- Yes, we can do EVERYTHING BETTER without booze!!!!! I have learned that EXERCISE releases the same type of "stuff" that makes you feel good! (sorry folks it is early so I can't get too much into detail "stuff" makes sense right? -- but you get the gist - ok, more coffee...)

[retteacher]

Booze Beast Lie #3 - I Can't!

Yes, I've fallen for the "I can't" scenario.
-I can't get through this (whatever) wo/booze.
-I can't get through these chores wo/booze.
-I can't get through this difficulty wo/booze.
-etc.

I'm finding that as I do get through wo/booze, I'm creating new pathways in my brain that teach me I CAN function very effectively wo/drinking.

Mary

[Doggygirl]

Booze Beast Lie #3 - I Can't!

:bump:

[happydog]

Booze Beast Lie #3 - I Can't!

1day af

This one i do find the hardest to answer a reply on this thread.

very good one I CAN'T we all use this one the mosts....

I felt like this last night I CAN'T because i feel angry and piss off fighting against my own body and mind. also when feeling tired I CANT.

Your right doggygirl WE CAN.... feeling really tired right now but i am going to believe in myself i know i can beat this!

Love
Teardrop.x

[ready2change]

Booze Beast Lie #3 - I Can't!

I have tickets to a Rod Stewart Concert for tomorrow nite, but I'm not going, because I know the temptation to drink will be overpowering, and would be going with my drinking hubby, who would tell me it's ok to drink and then we would have to drive over 50 miles late at night to get home.

So I will forgo the $100.00 I paid for the tickets, because I know I "CAN"T go to the concert without drinking. Life will go on.

R2C

[Doggygirl]

Booze Beast Lie #3 - I Can't!

Teardrop;371307 wrote: This one i do find the hardest to answer a reply on this thread.

very good one I CAN'T we all use this one the mosts....

I felt like this last night I CAN'T because i feel angry and piss off fighting against my own body and mind. also when feeling tired I CANT.

Your right doggygirl WE CAN.... feeling really tired right now but i am going to believe in myself i know i can beat this!

Love
Teardrop.x

:colorwelcome: back Teardrop!!!!!! WE CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!

Love,
DG

[Doggygirl]

Booze Beast Lie #3 - I Can't!

ready2change;371372 wrote: I have tickets to a Rod Stewart Concert for tomorrow nite, but I'm not going, because I know the temptation to drink will be overpowering, and would be going with my drinking hubby, who would tell me it's ok to drink and then we would have to drive over 50 miles late at night to get home.

So I will forgo the $100.00 I paid for the tickets, because I know I "CAN"T go to the concert without drinking. Life will go on.

R2C

Oops - almost missed your post R2C...

YOU GO GIRL!!!! WAY TO PUT YOUR SOBRIETY FIRST!! I'm not suggesting that we all need to stop going to social things and concerts. BUT...if you are not ready to handle it, (and there is LOTS I'm not ready for yet so I hear ya) then best to take a pass.

Rod Stewart concert, $100.00 + Gas + the T-Shirt + Food + Drinks
Missing Rod Stewart concert, $100.00
Keeping your sobriety, PRICELESS!!!!!!

DG

[ready2change]

Booze Beast Lie #3 - I Can't!

Rod Stewart concert, $100.00 + Gas + the T-Shirt + Food + Drinks
Missing Rod Stewart concert, $100.00
Keeping your sobriety, PRICELESS!!!!!!

Right on DG...thanks for putting a smile on my face. I know I can't hide forever, but I can for now.

Hugs to you girlfriend....I'm really proud of you and your success.

R2C (formerly tkeene)

[gyco]

Booze Beast Lie #3 - I Can't!

wow ,way to go folks hang in there and your all rite its not easy but you all can do it all nt long,ps and normally thts the worse time gyco