How do y’all keep yourselves from drinking? I keep lapsing

How do y’all keep yourselves from drinking? I keep lapsing. I’m so depressed rn and just want an escape. What are some strategies you use when you are feeling the urges for days at a time?

What I do is drink energy drinks as a replacement. Probably not the healthiest coping mechanism but it’s worked for me. There’s nothing that will take the urge away, even after years-unfortunately.

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Distract yourself with other things. Take a bubble bath, read a book, exercise, yoga, walk or hike, bike, cook, whatever it takes. Don’t do the same stuff u do when ur drinking. Prayer and meditation are powerful. I couldn’t do it without God’s help. If u haven’t already, find a meeting or a group that works for you. It’s almost impossible to do alone. Remember, alcohol won’t take away ur problems but it will make u even more depressed. It’s an addictive poison that lies to you that u need it. You don’t. Lastly, keep trying. There’s no failure unless u give up. You can do it! :grin:

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I go to meetings

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That’s not true there’s plenty of people who have no urges like chris Scott How I Quit Drinking By Rebalancing My Brain Chemistry - YouTube

I remind myself of how ‘great’ it REALLY is when I pick up. The shame, the pain, the paranoia, the drama. Not being able to stop once I start. The collateral damage afterwards. The sneaking, hiding, and lying. The separation from God and my spiritual program. How fun it’s going to be starting over.
That usually helps me to ward off the desire for another steaming helping of pain & misery from the buffet of addiction.

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Meetings.

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Because I want to stay alive and be well

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Just remember, which I do often, it is much harder to get sober than to stay sober. It keeps me going. Agree with others, connect with God and others. Work a program whatever that maybe for you. Read your Big book. I also drink unsweetened tea. It helps to always have a non alcoholic drink in front of me at all times. Replaces the wine bottle. Just don’t take that first drink. One is too many and a 100 are never enough. Hang in there. It will get easier. God bless!

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Are you working a sobriety program? Many of us can't stay sober by ourselves so we seek out recovery programs to help us.
If you haven't tried one, I suggest you do.

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AA/NA are not faith-based programs, they’re spiritual based programs. The Higher Power or ‘G’ of your understanding can be anything - the Universe, the group, your soul - as long as it is greater than yourself and that it is loving & kind. I think of it as recovery is the light, and addiction is the dark. Many are confused about 12 step programs being religious or faith-based. I been around 12 step programs since 2009, and I can say that I have never met a person of long-term recovery who did not have some belief in a Higher Power to have faith in. One guy with 20+ years believes that the door leading into the Rooms is his Higher Power.

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I’ve done the same. Lots of energy drinks and gym time. Also journaling…. Screaming too. Lol (seriously) sometimes just gotta let it out somehow

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I suppose with me it's the company I keep. I removed a lot of bad influences in my life. People that thought I was weak because I couldn't hold my liquor. But ultimately it was me that made the choice to remove alcohol from my life. If you work stay focused on your work. Take walks long ones. And talk to God daily hourly minute by minute.

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I play the tape forward, read quit lit (this naked mind helped change my perspective), or watch a documentary about alcoholism (Risky Drinking and Rain in my Heart are my favorites and both on YouTube)

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Its very simple,its not Easy to not Drink if this diseases has takin hold,if you have had a hard bottom, a nasty last drinking spree , think about it every time a Drink sounds like a good idea, tge book says if your not sure try controlled drinking, you'll know after that..

15 min is the length of time an obsession will occupy the mind. Meditate, pray run, call someone for those 15min and you Should feel better.

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I make mocktails . I also drink CBD drinks . It does not get you high . I also stay away from anyone who drinks now . I don’t go out anymore . At least until I feel like I have self control.

Also Tuesday night I was going through something that made me really want to drink . So I got on this app and reached out . Just talk to people on here helped me so much . After I decided to make a mocktail and some yummy food instead of drink or smoke .

Exercise like crazy. Stay in the gym so Im too tired to drink. The exercise really helps my mental health.

I drink a lot of tea, or I diffuse oils, clean, do a craft, right now I’m into embroidery, I just try to refocus and think of how I never want to go back. A temporary escape is not worth it in the long run. I know that now. I hope this helps, stay strong! :muscle:t3::black_heart:

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