I have the night and tomorrow off. Really struggling with thoughts of going out and having drinks. It’s odd though, because a part of me despises the thought of alcohol. The other part of me gets excited and is like, just drink! I’m going to take my anxiety medications and workout, maybe get some cleaning done, and some reading. Maybe attend an online meeting? What do you all do to cope when the cravings are strong? For me, I have to start new habits. Old habits really do die hard.
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Completely normal to have these thoughts and feelings…it wold be odd if you didn’t. Being mindful and aware of how your feeling is so important! It’s the pause button, or the flashing re warning signal that we typically just ignore. Now that you are aware, think the drink thru. My first thoughts are typically romanticizing how wonderful that first drink is going to be. I may even admit to wanting to get hammered, but I’m not thinking of the consequences. The pause you are experiencing now allows you to think this thru. Play the whole tape of what happens to you when you drink, and why you want to be sober.
Aside from your plans today to keep you on track, maybe you can plan something for later tonight when you would ordinarily getting ready to go out. Maybe another meeting, calling a sober friend, or watching something on Netflix that you’ve been wanting to see. Treat yourself to a good dinner, and maybe a favorite snack too. You got this 
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I find something to do with someone sober if possible, or work on something I've been meaning to get to, hobby- wise. I also keep my schedule filled with people who expect me to be sober- the way my brain works, the craving stopped when I made it impossible to "get away with it".
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Realize that you don't need to be like everyone else and "go out for drinks". That's a big part of the batter right there, for a lot of people. The need to fit in and be like everyone else, all while proclaiming how unique they are.
Stay sober, for you. You'll save money, your health will be better and you will be happier. What's not to love? These are the things I keep in mind when I'm driving home and pass by bars FULL of people.
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Girl when I first got sober I ate a sh*t ton of candy to curb the cravings lol . That and yes trying to form new habits..I would go to the beach a lot ..sometimes I just had to get out of my house. Go to a meeting ..call a friend …call your sponsor ..sometimes I would just drive..for hours ..and listen to music (granted gas is way too expensive to do that now lol) . Anything to not drink..anything is better than taking a drink . Mainly I would eat all the candy and attend all the meeting that first test of sobriety! The Aa inter group website has thousands of meetings to choose from daily if u need an online meeting !! Stay strong girl u got this
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Keep your mind occupied! The gym is a great idea
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Very good comments.
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Stay connected
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Well I’m gonna be honest, I went and had a 16oz beer at the Mexican place. But I left after that came home and made dinner. The old me wouldn’t have been able to do that. I know I drank. But at least I stopped? Ugh. Thank you all for the advice. The rest of my evening is going to be spent reading and relaxing. Idk how people resist the urges. I just don’t.
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When you have the urge to drink remember all the problems, pain and suffering you went through and have left behind. All it takes is "just one drink" and all that can open the door for all of that to return.
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Def do that meeting
Raise ur hand
It’ll feel good to voice everything you’re internalizing
Keep us apprised
We’re rooting for you !
We care about you !
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In the 20 years of my addictions… I’ve never ever been to any kind of meeting.
Just log on. Send me the link. I’ll go w you
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Keep reaching out here for help. A meeting online is great even if you leave the mic and camera off. Binge watch something new that is a great time consumer. Make a snack and relax. Hope for the best for you
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Thanks girl! I actually stumbled across that app and downloaded it. There are a ton of meetings! One of these days soon I’ll get the courage to go to one.. I think I still want to be in denial
Stop fcking around and go to a meeting. You have the courage to tempt fate and possibly fck your life up by drinking again, but not the courage to get to a meeting? Come on now, if you want this, you can do it.
I've never ate/ craved so much chocolate in my life!
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Sugar! I crave so much sugar.
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Sugar and caffeine! But the next time cravings or boredom sets in, try to get busy! Move a muscle, change a thought 
call another alcoholic, or take a nap, that works too. Lol
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Well..if ur “in denial” then your probably looking for answers to the question..am I an alcoholic or am I not ?! Which, there is no better place to answer that question than to attend an Alcoholic’s Anonymous meeting..”where the only requirement is a desire to stop drinking” . You don’t need to be an admitted alcoholic to attend a meeting .. you just need to have a desire to put down the drink, which it seems like u do l, or your at least questioning it. Attending a meeting and listening to other alcoholics experiences can def confirm or deny your question. It couldn’t hurt either way right ?
I went to my first meeting for shts and giggles ..and I got hooked (not all meetings hook u but keep trying diff ones till you find the one that clicks for u) and then I kept coming back and the more I heard diff ppl share, the more I could relate to and all of a sudden I remember saying to myself “holy sht I think I’m an alcoholic…and I think that means I can literally never drink again” and then bam.. My life changed and I’ve never looked back . Lol I know of a good amount of online meetings ..lemme know if u want any recommendations!!
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