OK so I am working on my plan to quit drinking on the 15th.
Here's what I've done.
1. All alcohol is currently out of the house
2. I've looked up my local AA meetings and wrote down in my planner the 2 I want to attend each week.
3. Worked out the couple of things in my life I want to "fix" first. Usually I try to fix everything at once and that's what defeats me.
4. Writing down a few things to do in the times when I normally drink.
5. got my husband to agree to quit with me for at least the first week -10 days to help me over the hump. 10-12 days is a danger period for me.
6. Husband has promised he will not buy alcohol for me or let me have any he buys no matter how much I beg or plead.
7. I have arranged an activity that I've pre-paid for Friday nights which will keep me out and busy until about 8:30pm - as Friday nights is big drinking day for me.
Has anyone got any ideas for overcoming the cravings which I know will happen? Boredom is a big trigger for me to drink. Any advice from those of you who have been there. I really want to make it this time - I can't take much more of living like this.
Idgie
Hi,
I found not going past my local bottle shops on the way home from work helpled me out,
Stay away from drinkin buddies for a while, for me it was a couple of mths,
Always have soft drink or water avalible for when you feel like a drink, and I also pigged out on chocolate for some unknown reason,
Dunno if this is any help but sure did help me, im 15 mths on the 14th this mth, with no lookin back now!
Ginge
I found not going past my local bottle shops on the way home from work helpled me out,
Stay away from drinkin buddies for a while, for me it was a couple of mths,
Always have soft drink or water avalible for when you feel like a drink, and I also pigged out on chocolate for some unknown reason,
Dunno if this is any help but sure did help me, im 15 mths on the 14th this mth, with no lookin back now!
Ginge
Hi Idgie, sometimes if I exercise for a while I won't want a drink so bad afterward because I feel like it'd negate the good I just did myself... this is something I'm trying to start doing again, get some exercise when I feel like I really want a drink (especially when I'm bored, boredom is probably my biggest trigger too). Yesterday I went for a nice long bike ride because I was bored and wanted a drink and when I came home I felt better like I'd done something good for myself. We'll see if it keeps working for me I guess, maybe it can help you too? Good luck, I admire you for putting a real plan together to help yourself, I'm kind of flying by the seat of my pants myself but I'm trying to work on it.
Thanks for the support and practical suggestions Ginge and Ciaobella. You 2 are great inspirations.
I actually did go to Aldi and buy 4 bottles of lemon mineral water so I'm all stocked up on soft drinks.
Yup exercise is a good one. A bit harder here at the moment cause its dark so early - but I do have a weight bench in garage so I could use that instead of walking or running.
Ciaobella - I am a virgo - I have to have a plan - hehehe.
Idgie.
I actually did go to Aldi and buy 4 bottles of lemon mineral water so I'm all stocked up on soft drinks.
Yup exercise is a good one. A bit harder here at the moment cause its dark so early - but I do have a weight bench in garage so I could use that instead of walking or running.
Ciaobella - I am a virgo - I have to have a plan - hehehe.
Idgie.
Actually, I've never known anyone to create a plan to stop drinking, but I think it's a good idea. However, I had so many plans while I was still out there and they never came to fruition. For me, I had to hit an emotional and spiritual variety that caused me so much pain that I did whatever was suggested to do by my Sponsor. Oh, btw, I'm glad to see meetings on your list. Here's a few AA cliches: One day at a Time, Keep it Simple and It's easier to stay sober than get sober. Good luck to you.
VWGirl I am at that point, I can't live like this anymore - as I said we are about to go on hols the rest of the week back in town afternoon on the 14th.
but me I gotta have a plan - I'm not spontaneous and if I make spontaneous decisions they don't last with me. Like if I decide to diet or exercise I gotta have it all mapped out. How long to exercise, which exercises to do, if diet well gotta have menus prepared, shopping done - or for me it just doesn't happen.
So, if that works in other areas of my life why not try it in this area. Plus it helps take away the little "excuses".
I actualy didn't drink last night went to Yoga - even left a half-empty bottle of wine in the fridge from the night before.
but me I gotta have a plan - I'm not spontaneous and if I make spontaneous decisions they don't last with me. Like if I decide to diet or exercise I gotta have it all mapped out. How long to exercise, which exercises to do, if diet well gotta have menus prepared, shopping done - or for me it just doesn't happen.
So, if that works in other areas of my life why not try it in this area. Plus it helps take away the little "excuses".
I actualy didn't drink last night went to Yoga - even left a half-empty bottle of wine in the fridge from the night before.
Idgie, like I said I think the plan thing is a good one...you might find spontaneity in recovery though, lol! That's what I'm finding, although I didn't plan to stop drinking when I did, I still was very organized in other areas of my life...and had "to do" lists for everything! BTW, what I meant in my post above is that I hit a bottom of a spiritual and emotional variety...sometimes I don't proof read...kinda tired last night too! So let me know how you are doing ~ six more days to go right? You may want to get a copy of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous...like I mentioned before you seem like you are 12 steppin' already....have you ever read it? This keeps coming to mind for me as I type this to you: "Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path...."; all the other times I tried to get sober I tried to do it my way, now I am working the Program as suggested and it is working for me, imagine that!
Idgie, Great idea, I think having a plan is such a great thing. I wish you all the best. I think I will do the same, I've been doing pretty good, only had two glasses of wine last night with dinner, but I know that sometimes I can do that and other times I can't. Let me know how you are doing. if you want to email me my address is emc1850@telus.net We can chat some more and be each others cheering team!
Have a great day!
Lovedove
Have a great day!
Lovedove
Haha Idgie, some of my best friends have been Virgos, and yep, they do like to have plans in place! I'm terrible at planning myself... I do it all the time but find it very hard to stick with most times. I myself had 2 beers with dinner last night but was pretty good afterward. My boyfriend was there and of course I wanted to keep up appearances, so I stopped after 2 just like he did. Tonight could be interesting for me, have a friend coming over who enjoys a good glass of wine, so we'll see if he brings some, and if I can resist, or maybe just stick to one, or what. Hopefully if he brings it it will be a small bottle so I can't have too much...
VWGirl I have been to 1-2 AA meetings about a year ago, not read the BB right through though I have read bits of it here and there.
but mostly I've done a lot of reading over the years of "self help" type stuff plus I have an online friend that we study passages together and spiritual ideas. And I think a lot of that probably crosses over to AA philosophy.
thanks for the replies everyone.
Lovedove I know you are doing it tough right now I hope you can let go the drinking again - you were doing so great. And I really related to what you wrote about sometimes you are OK with 2 glasses of wine. I can do that some days too but its only a matter of time before the bottom falls out.
but mostly I've done a lot of reading over the years of "self help" type stuff plus I have an online friend that we study passages together and spiritual ideas. And I think a lot of that probably crosses over to AA philosophy.
thanks for the replies everyone.
Lovedove I know you are doing it tough right now I hope you can let go the drinking again - you were doing so great. And I really related to what you wrote about sometimes you are OK with 2 glasses of wine. I can do that some days too but its only a matter of time before the bottom falls out.
Hi Idgie, Yep very true, it seems some nights 2 glasses will be okay, then another time, for no reason a big bottle isn't enough! I like who I am so much better when I don't drink, I'm just praying for sobriety and I pray that one day I will never want to touch another drop again. One day at a time.
Big Hugs and God Bless
lovedove
Big Hugs and God Bless
lovedove
You gals may want to pick up a copy of the BIg Book of AA...if you do might I suggest you read the first 164 pages and see if you identify with any of it. It is so helpful to me!
Hello Idgie, hope you're doing good! I think your plan is fantastic! It's great that you've prepared yourself and know what you need to do to stay sober. Best of luck to you on your journey! : )
Hows things Idgie
How about 90 meetings in 90 days fairly good plan keeps you busy and you would have no time to be bored.
Hooroo Zac
How about 90 meetings in 90 days fairly good plan keeps you busy and you would have no time to be bored.
Hooroo Zac
