One of the big jobs we have to do when getting sober is to turn around all the hard-wired thoughts we have about alcohol. All those messages we've been fed our entire lives, and have been thinking over and over, about the supposedly positive aspects of drinking. This tip video outlines some steps that will help you with this process.
Start becoming very aware of what your brain is doing and clearly identify when you're thinking positive thoughts about alcohol i.e. that having a drink is the only way you're going to enjoy an upcoming event or the best way to relax right now would be by drinking. Get to know your inner voice that is extremely pro-alcohol so you can squash it.
Every time you notice that you're thinking another positive thought about booze, challenge it and turn it around. Actively do this.
Remind yourself of the truth about where drinking takes you. Don't let the romantic images take hold - bring to mind the messy, sloppy, sad images that are the reason you're wanting to change. Those images are real and they're powerful.
Then, once you've identified the pro-booze thought and challenged it, work on reframing it. There are some helpful posts with oodles of comments that illustrate how do to this here and here. Read these, and communicate with others on sites like this about what you're doing.
Working hard at re-training your thinking and turning thoughts around will lead you to not only clearly see the truth about alcohol, but it will also free up mental space for you to get a better understanding of your emotional needs and what you can do to nourish yourself in place of booze.
That is what sobriety is all about.
Day 11 today I had strong cravings to drink today but, I won’t these cravings last for about 30 min. I wrote about these cravings in my journal, this really helps me get my thoughts down on paper. I’ve distracted my self by watching alcohol podcasts on YouTube some great podcasts on YouTube. I recommend anyone with addiction to watch these podcasts. If you are getting strong cravings I find distraction is the best method to stop these cravings. Keep in mind they only last for 30min.
Does day 1 – tricking myself with 0% wine out of the wine glass count as retraining the brain?
Thanks @mrs-d. It’s interesting that I have used this technique for other habits/automatic behaviours in th past but had kinda forgot to do this with drinking. Lately the thoughts that drinking would be a good idea have snuck back in a bit.
Sobriety feels like a daily job to maintain at the moment.
I agree, it is necessary to get out of the habit of drinking. I have read that it takes at least 21 days to break a habit, and it if you can it that long, you can do it for the next 90 days.
Yes, sometimes it takes a long time to retrain our brains. Getting out of the “habit’ of drinking is a good start.
Thanks @mrs-d. It’s interesting that I have used this technique for other habits/automatic behaviours in th past but had kinda forgot to do this with drinking. Lately the thoughts that drinking would be a good idea have snuck back in a bit.
Sobriety feels like a daily job to maintain at the moment.