Don't Drink, I Know What You're Thinking
AFF Newsletter on Substack #44
Welcome to the AFF Newsletter on Substack.
You’ve probably heard it a million times; just don’t drink. As if it were that simple! When I suggested to my friends that I needed to stop drinking I heard the same. It was usually followed by; when you’re ready you can drink again.
Although people mean well, most don’t understand what it’s like to be locked in a battle with booze. It’s brutal! For most people who fight this war, it’s not a simple case of ‘just not drinking’. It’s about staying stopped.
As I’ve written about before, I was able to go periods without alcohol before relapsing back into the same destructive relationship with booze. For me, it wasn’t the stopping that was hard, it was going back that was too easy.
Once you go back to drinking, you risk it being worse than before. You go back to boozing with extra energy because of the detox period. You don’t plan it that way, it just happens. You try to slowly reintroduce it because you know how bad it was before and you might succeed at first, but your old drinking habits catch up with you eventually.
This is why it is tough for people to return to the habit they’ve been trying desperately to quit. I’ve known people to do it with some success. I’ve also known people to do it with great success. But for the majority of people who go back to the habit, it normally gets considerably worse.
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Sadly, you might know of someone this has happened to. You might have heard of someone who kicked the booze but ended up drinking again - sometimes fatally. It’s heartbreaking. This is why getting sober and working on your recovery is so important.
You never realise it at the time. You’re just desperate to put down the bottle, but picking up booze again can lead you to a worse place than where you left it. It’s not a gamble I would recommend to anyone. Although, I understand it’s not that simple.
Below, I will take a look at some techniques to use to give you the best chance of avoiding relapse in recovery. I’d love for you to join me, so if you haven’t already, please consider becoming a premium subscriber.
I know what you’re thinking
Yes, I did decide the path of this article after giving the No Doubt song different lyrics! But that doesn’t take away from the message. If you’re a heavy drinker and alcohol has become a significant problem in your life, then going back isn’t an option.
So here are some tips, techniques and guidance to keep your recovery on track and give you the best chance of avoiding relapse:
Forge a robust support network, drawing strength from friends, family and groups like Alcoholics Anonymous. Community is important in recovery but not isolating yourself is probably more key.
Begin, and continue, working on yourself. This can be done by embracing therapy to delve into underlying issues and develop a relapse prevention plan that will equip you with strategies to counter triggers.
This can also be achieved by utilising powerful tools such as practices mindfulness and meditation - these offer a sanctuary of calm amidst a possible avalanche of cravings.
Start looking after yourself
Build and prioritise a lifestyle that champions physical and mental well-being. You can achieve this by establishing realistic goals, celebrating your victories and cultivating resilience in the face of setbacks.
If you’re looking for a good workout plan to build up your physical and mental strength in sobriety then please check this one out:
Avoid precarious situations and environments, staying attuned to potential triggers. Cut out toxic relationships. Don’t put yourself in harm’s way. Make sure you have an exit plan for times when you need it. Protect yourself from temptations.
Education becomes a shield, fortifying your commitment with an understanding of this addiction's intricacies. Understand your triggers. Get to know yourself during sobriety and reinforce the importance of your recovery.
Create a structured routine, anchoring your days with purpose and minimising idle moments. Boredom and purposelessness can be triggers for some men. This doesn't mean you have to adopt the glorified ‘hustle and grind’ culture but be aware that addiction can manifest in a missionless man.
Embrace life
Embrace the positive transformations that accompany sobriety. Reconnect with passions and hobbies, and populate your recovery will fulfilling pursuits. You’ve regained control of your life, don’t give it away to alcohol again.
You must stay vigilant and honest. Recognise that seeking support is a strength, not a weakness. Be aware that recovery unfolds as a dynamic journey, where adaptation and persistence are key.
In this ongoing process, each step forward is a testament to your resilience and inner strength. Remain committed to the life you’ve liberated from the shackles of alcohol and celebrate each day in sobriety because you know how bad it used to be.
You can do this.
Thank you for reading “Don't Drink, I Know What You're Thinking”. If anything in this newsletter resonated with you, then I’d love to hear from you:
Check out the last free post “Breaking the Habit of Using Alcohol as a Crutch”.
Take care of yourself and your family,
Roscoe | @AFFathers
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