Hiiiiii! New here :)

Struggling Help
#1

Hi everyone! I am new here, happy to see a sober community! I have been trying to stop drinking for a while. Unfortunately drinking cost me jobs, friendships, and my mental and physical health :frowning: I realize that I drink when i feel anxious or when I feel lonely. I need to relieve the pain right away, and that’s why it’s so hard to stop. What are your tricks when you feel overwhelmed with the need to drink?

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#2

Welcome.
I found that I could never regulate the amount I drank. I drank for all the same reasons as you and more. The trouble was that when I started to say have a drink to relax, it turned into more than one. Every time.
If I controlled the amount I didn’t enjoy it. If I enjoyed it I wasn’t controlling it.

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#3

One thing that helps is realizing that alcohol doesn't actually relieve those feelings, even if we've trained our mind to think it does (or been brainwashed by society in that way).

Focusing on our breathing, just by paying attention to how it feels, and letting a warm relaxation feeling work up from our toes up to our shoulders, down our arms into our fingers, being totally relaxed.. that helps.

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#4

Same! It relieved my anxiety for a bit, but then if i don’t have another drink my anxiety worsens so i juste have more and more to compensate.

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#5

Exactly, we train our mind to think alcohol is the cure, it’s so hard to detach from that. I’m having a hard time just sitting with my anxiety, i become impulsive and will just buy a bottle of wine :sob:

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#6

Welcome Katrina! I try to keep myself busy when I feel tempted. I like to journal, go for a walk, guided meditation... you can find AA meetings in your area or even online. There is an app called meeting guide you can download to find either. Therapy is another thing that has helped me tremendously. Be kind to yourself and remember why you want to quit drinking.

#7

Welcome aboard!!!! Try to keep busy during the witching hours. Reading, walking, being with sober friends. Also realizing that the numbness is only temporary. Just take it one day or hour at a time

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#8

Glad you found this site. It helps to let your emotions out in here. You will find good advice most of the time and ppl will share their own experiences which might relate to yours. Just be strong and love yourself. Believe in yourself and apply your best choices when making decisions. Is your life and you are the only one that can make decisions on it. I just completed one year sober. So it is possible. I find that working out helps me and meditation also. It takes a little bit of practice to get the meditation going. There’s free websites and books to guide you thru that process if you choose to. Always love yourself. Good luck and here to help.

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#9

Busy will help. But after getting busy the urge will become higher. If you can sleep immediately it will work.

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#10

Thanks Luis!!! I will definitely be exercising and meditation more

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#11

Thanks Edward! I don’t have many sober friends, but this community seems great to feel less alone and talk freely about it :slight_smile:

#12

Thanks, will definitely be doing that

#13

Meetings always help. Walks or something sweet. And the best one is to not drink or drug no matter what!!

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#14

Welcome Katrina! I felt that way too. Until the vicious cycle was too much to bear. I finally got serious about my sobriety and went to AA meetings twice a day for well over a year. Got a sponsor and did the steps thoroughly. It worked extremely well. Believe me, it’s much easier than being a struggling alcoholic.
I’m here if you want to talk

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#15

Thanks Danny! Glad to hear that! I unfortunately cant go to meetings because i work in a field were many of my clients go to AA. But therapy definitely helps