• Avoid the things that trigger your urge to drink.
If certain people, places, or activities trigger a craving for alcohol, try to avoid them.
• Practice saying “no” to alcohol in social situations.
Prepare ahead for how you’ll respond, with a firm, yet polite, “no thanks.”
Examples of emotional triggers:
Depression,tiredness,hunger,loneliness,anger,boredom,feelings of exclusion,frustration,excitement.
Managing alcohol cravings
When you’re struggling with alcohol cravings, try these strategies:
• Talk to someone you trust.
• Distract yourself until the urge passes. Go for a walk, listen to music, do some housecleaning, run an errand, or tackle a quick task.
• Remind yourself of your reasons for not drinking.
• Accept the urge and ride it out, instead of trying to fight it. This is known as “urge surfing.” Think of your craving as an ocean wave that will soon break. When you ride out the craving, without trying to battle, judge, or ignore it, you’ll see that it passes more quickly than you’d think.
Get support:
• Lean on close friends and family – Having the support of friends and family members is an invaluable asset in recovery. If you’re reluctant to turn to your loved ones because you’ve let them down before, consider going to couples counselling or family therapy.
• Build a sober social network – If your previous social life revolved around alcohol, you may need to make some new connections.
It’s important to have sober friends who will support your recovery. Try taking a class, joining a church or a civic group, volunteering, or attending events in your community.
Just for today
I will strive to listen with an open mind to what I hear shared.
The AA Estcourt branch hosts meetings every Tuesday at Forderville Primary School from 7pm to 8pm. Contact Desigan on 082 849 3014.
The AA Winterton branch hosts meetings every Thursday at the Springfield Church opposite the police station from 7pm to 8pm. Contact Dolly on 071 688 5330 or Virgilo on 079 688 0432.
