My Mind swirls around in these early hours. Can't seem

Recovery
#1

My Mind swirls around in these early hours. Can't seem to ignore it. When working a lot I'm fine and happy. Can't figure it out. Input to shut my brain off

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#2

Cavelyn, you’re definitely not alone. I found that reading the big book of AA, meetings (online or in person), prayer, meditation and journaling really helps occupy my mind with healing.
I had to reprogram my crazy mind. Even after 17 years of sobriety I still do the above to maintain my peace.
I’m here if you want to talk or have any questions

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#3

Im impatient. I get what your saying. Feels like how bad do I want sobriety? It's always going to be hard. Like giving life to God and giving up everything

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#4

It’s actually the easier and softer way. It doesn’t have to be hard at all. Giving up only the things that make life harder.

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#5

Giving up one thing in order to have everything is one i have read....love this.

I suffer from this. I found reading an actual book put me out sometimes. Watching videos on YouTube of silly stuff helps me as well as videos of things to make.

Have you thought about therapy, maybe working through the reasons for using might help? Hugs!

2 Likes
#6

Lots of great shares. Every now and again something someone post will trigger my story so I'd like to share a little.

The racing mind is one of the hardest parts most aren't prepared for. Your nervous system has been regulated by a substance for however long you used, and now it has to figure out how to do that on its own again. The swirling isn’t impatience, it’s your brain recalibrating without the thing it learned to depend on.
I was sober 7 years the first time and transferred everything straight into work. Same compulsion, different outlet. Achieved more than I ever had, never slowed down enough to work on what was underneath it, and burned completely to the ground. When the burnout hit there was nothing left holding me up. Relapsed.
Second time around I got lucky. Found a therapist who didn’t just talk with me, she taught me. Psychotherapy, and then somatic therapy, which is the science of how your body stores what your mind never fully processed. When I started calming my nervous system down, the obsessive thoughts started to lift. My body finally stopped running like something was wrong all the time. That’s when I got lighter and more at peace.
Your brain really is a muscle. The more you give it something tangible whether that's, prayer, reading, the gym, something you love, the stronger those new pathways get. Cravings don’t go away because you fight them, they fade because your brain finds something else worth reaching for. You’re not giving up everything. You’re making room for the parts of your life the addiction was occupying. Thanks for sharing I needed a few reminders

#7

Right there with ya… it’s rough happy to chat

#8

Thank you. Really appreciate that.

1 Like
#9

Thanks so much for that, I needed to hear that. It makes all the sense in the world