Here we are at the beginning of month two of 2008, already! This is a difficult month for those of us who made New Year’s resolutions… the excitement is over and the WORK of the resolution has begun. If stopping or decreasing your drinking (of beverage alcohol) is your resolution, here are some tips to help.
- TRIGGERS: What triggers your urge to drink? If certain people or places make you drink even when you don’t want to, or didn’t plan to, try to avoid them. If certain activities, times of day, or feelings trigger the urge, plan what you’ll do instead of drinking. If drinking at home is a problem, purge your home of alcohol. Don’t keep it ‘just for company’ – serve them soda instead.
- PLANNING: When an urge to drink hits, consider these options: remind yourself of your reasons for changing. Or talk it through with someone you trust, and who understands your goal to stay sober. Or get involved with a healthy, distracting activity. Or ‘urge surf” by accepting the feeling and riding it out – it will crest like a wave and pass, in time.
- KNOW YOUR NO: You are likely to be offered a drink at times when you don’t want one. Have a polite, convincing, “no thanks” ready. Practice it at home, or on the way to a social event. The faster you can say no to these offers, the less likely you are to give in. In time, your friends and family will realize you are committed to your goal and stop offering you drinks.
Sobriety is not easy, but it is worth it! Take it easy, take it one day at a time (or one hour at a time), and by this time next year, your life may be very different.
There are many peer support groups available for those interested in getting or staying sober. Days and times are listed in the Dispatch regularly, and can be found by calling the resource numbers in your local phone book.
