Having a hard time coping with the emotions and feeling dead inside. All I can find is drinking numbs me. Back to an old vice. I would love some advice, ideas on coping without alcohol.
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A program of recovery
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I know how you feel!!! Just did the same thing a few weeks ago...as much as it hurts once divorce was final...had to take a serious look at myself and my life...we all know where the drunk road leads...I figure I have nothing to lose so why not walk a new/better path? Journaling really helped me!!! Still does...I write my feeling down ...my goals...plans etc. Hang in there...it gets a little better 
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Sorry that ur going through h**l Emily. I empathize with u. I’m not even a week sober so I shouldn’t be giving tips or advice but just wanted to show some love n support cause I know how much it sucks right now. Just keep fightin.
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Thank you so so much same to you 
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I’ve been trying to get into the habit of writing as well. Everyone keeps telling me ‘it will get better’ and I get that but yeah. Definitely trying not go back down the path of using alcohol to numb. Trying to find alternate distractions
Thank you so much for the encouragement
Ty 
I know the pain of a broken heart all too well...no matter how much alcohol I dumped on that pain it wdnt go away. Drunk/sober its there...difficult at times...I'm focusing on myself...what I want in life...going to my 1st local AA meet after work tonight
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That’s exactly when I started seriously drinking. I was 35 and going through a divorce. That was a big mistake on my part. Trying to numb feelings with booze is like trying to put a fire out with gasoline. Trust me…. I know from experience.
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I went through the very same thing. I know that drinking numbs those horrible feelings your going through right now, but it’s a trap. Those feelings are still there, it’s almost as though you’ve just hit a pause button. The trick alcohol plays on you is letting you think they are gone, the trap is the depression that’s sure to come by drinking. A slippery slope. I wish I had advice to help, all I can say is that by no means is alcohol helping. In the end those thoughts and feelings will be there waiting. Keep close with friends and family, if you do meetings I think it helps, stay busy, but remember brutal honesty is the only way we stay sober! Alcohol is not your friend, it can and will make it worse! One day at a time you’ll get through this, and you’ll come out on top! Don’t isolate, lean on any of us to help you deal with those feelings. Take care and let me know if I can help!
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The journey can be hard especially when dealing with a divorce,breakup , etc but you haft to hang in there and stay strong . When my girlfriend of 12 years left me because I was a drunk I was devastated and still am but what I’ve learned is not matter how much I drink beg and cry it’s never going back to the way it was so that helps keep focused but yes it’s extremely hard
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I empathize with you as I'm bracing for battle myself... remember; you are stronger than you know and no amount of toxic elixir will eradicate the pain and loss. We lose things to gain more and sometimes what you lose isnt a loss 
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Thank you so much Rick for taking the time to write that heartfelt message. I’m loving hearing all of your truths in this. Sharing your experience is so helpful.
Is it really working? Is it solving your problems?
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A lot of times I preach the same message on here. I used to be a chronic relapser myself. The reason I preach the same message all the time is because it took me many years to truly understand why I relapsed in the 1st place.
If you haven't heard before, I'll say it again. The reason that we relapse in the 1st place is because we believe the Big Lie; It's the lie that alcohol tells us. That this time, everything will be OK. But it never is, is it?
Alcohol never makes things better. Alcohol is cunning, baffling and powerful. It always makes things worse. And it always tries to convince us that this time everything will be OK.
Life can be very painful sometimes. I'm sorry that you're going through a divorce. I don't know your personal situation and I don't want this to sound like I'm trying to judge you because I'm not.
A long time ago, sometime back in the nineties, I met a girl in AA. Against the advice of many members I decided to hook up with this girl and eventually shack up with her.
They were 6 of the most miserable years of my life.
Before that, I met a woman while I was out there drinking. The 2 of us really hit it off good because the one thing we did good together was drink. That was a relationship that did not end well.
You see, sometimes our problems are of our own making. Like I said I don't know your personal situation.
The other thing that I know for sure is when someone remains sober for a long period of time, they tend to make better decisions in life then they do if they had been living the life of an alcoholic including who we choose to share our lives with.
The only thing I can tell you at this point is if you think alcohol is a solution, come back when you feel enough pain. As far as this app is concerned, people can listen to your stories and try to encourage you but they can't fix your problem.
Only you can do this. The 1st step is putting the cap on the bottle and keeping it on.
Problems can be painful but solving these problems makes us who we are.
AA meeting makers make it!
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Very very well said
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