Tips for sobriety that have worked well for you?

Question

I am newly sober from alcohol. 3.5 months in. I want to be sober for the long hall but I know a lot of people fall off the wagon. What have you done in your life to fight cravings? I used to use alcohol as a way to deal with my stress. It nearly took my job away from me and has made my marriage hell because she also struggles with alcohol. Now I am sober and she isn't which makes it even harder. I'd love to hear your tips and ideas.

Staximus · Accepted Answer

Quitting drinking was the best thing a few of my friends ever did for themselves. I also had 2 friends die from drinking last January and September. It takes a real man to admit he has a problem and quit, so you have taken the first and second real step.

I haven't quit myself, but I know a few that have. Support groups helped some. Exercise is good for relieving stress. If you've been sober for 3.5 months then your body has detoxed and going through that is the hardest part for some. Think about what turns you to drinking. When you want to drink, get some exercise. Go for a jog, run, or a walk, go swimming, go to the gym, hit a punching bag, whatever. Do something to sidetracks your mind.

I have a friend who's an alcoholic. He comes over sometimes after being at the bar all afternoon, tries to drink all my beers and gets retarded. I was making quesadillas for my brother, him, and myself. I put my homemade hot sauce on them. It was hot as fuck and got my drunk friend high, and made him forget for a whole hour about drinking all my beers. It totally railroaded his thought process. Make or buy some ghost pepper or Carolina reaper sauce. Eat enough to where you are no longer having a good time and your face feels like it's going to fucking melt off. I guarantee you will not be thinking about drinking or anything else besides water or ice cream. It's a good cure for anxiety, panic, and intrusive thoughts. You want to stop thinking about something? Eat some ghost pepper or Carolina reaper.

Chazmatazz269 · Accepted Answer

‘… long haul…’, not “… long hall…”

Join a support group. I recommend a twelve-step program. You will have a program to work which will help you to actively practice sobriety. In addition you will meet and interact with other people in various stages of sobriety. It’s very motivating to see people who are still suffering the way you once were, and equally so to meet people whose work in the program has helped them to remain joyous, healthy and free for years or even decades. You can have a sponsor and some accountability buddies to whom you can talk about the challenges of addiction and sobriety. Most people, the normies, will never understand. Acceptance is a major key to sobriety and you can’t have acceptance without understanding.
It works if you work it!

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Some people can't be around others who drink my house growing uo was alcohol free and they didn't hang with people who drank because he couldn't handle it so keep that in mind you have to put yourself first and try to avoid your triggers

MemeSupreme · Accepted Answer

being aware of when im reaching my tipping point and what can push me to it sounds simple ik bc some stuff is obvious but there's things you haven't realized yet that is bad for you

Love Doctor Brad · Accepted Answer

Sobriety is a beautiful journey, filled with self-love and rediscovery. Focus on building a strong support system with friends or a community who cheers you on from the sober sidelines. Find a new passion or hobby that gives you the same excitement without the aftermath hangover - maybe like a new workout routine or binging romance novels, perhaps? When those pesky cravings sneak up, remind yourself of all you’re gaining in this sober romance with life. Also, communicating with your partner about mutual support might turn the tide. Keep shining, my soon-to-be-sober superstar! 🌟

Shiprex · Answer

I try to use some kind of mental goal setting to deal with a host of negative behaviours brought about by life sucking events and general stress that once I get it into my head I will avoid doing X then for the next month I will see if I can carry that out and by that stage the new habit is set almost.

As an example my wife and I tried 30 day challenges for a few months and got int a HABIT of doing them. So one month it was consume no animal products for a month. We did it adapted and I've stuck at it for 15 years now and am not wasted away am probably more stable in my weight than I was before AND am now older, am still as active though now. The point is it's the set a challenge to do something for a month and see if you can focus on THAT then build from there.

molonski2 · Answer

Congratulations and I wish you well

I too have struggled with alcohol addiction previously , I'm still addicted , although have greatly decreased intake , still my ideal outcome would be tea total , but I just can't face the thought of that right now

Commendations 100 % .

Blueeyes81 · Answer

Change your people, places and play things as much as possible. I had to cut 90% of the people out if my life in order to stay sober.

To put it another way if you go right back into your old life, but without the drinking, then it's a matter of time before you start drinking again.

Find new hobbies, new friends, basically find as much new as you can. Find new things and people that are away from alcohol as much as possible. Eventually alcohol becomes a non factor in your life.

It took me two attempts to learn this.

dudeinohio · Answer

Its a total restructuring of your lifestyle. If you think will power alone will work, you will fail.

You have to be in 100% in to succeed. Do not go to bars or places that serve alcohol for your first year.

Each person is different. AA helped me.

Now, I'm cured. I could drink without getting readdicted. But I choose not to.

Nikki1989 · Answer

Understand and avoid your triggers.

Anonymous · Answer

You have to want to be clean. It has to be for you. Reach that point you yourself do not want to be there anymore. Only then will it work.

Godihateyou · Answer

A lot of addiction comes from Habit. Once you get off the chemical addiction of Alcohol the hard part is the habit of drinking. You used to drink when watching sports. When listening to music. When with friends. This habit is actually stronger than the chemical addiction. Drink non alcoholic beer instead. My grandfather did shots of peanuts at the bar with his friends
He literally would fill a shot glass with peanuts and shoot them instead of booze when at the bar with his friends

Anonymous · Answer

I never got drunk... I just don't like the taste of alcohol.

TheSpaceGnome · Answer

Just don't drink alcohol, its not that hard. I've never drank alcohol my entire life and you don't see me falling apart over it.

clampfan101 · Answer

For me personally, not starting drinking in the first place.

LiaRaven · Answer

That’s tough one

AviatorTom · Answer

Drink only in moderation.

FunkyMonkee · Answer

Not drinking sems to work incredibly well!!

Anonymous · Answer

drink bitter coffee

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