Just when you think you're home free, a huge urge will hit you!

[bif]

I've been sober for almost 3 years. For the most part, I don't think about drinking. Weekends are a bit rougher but they've been getting better. Then, yesterday it really hit me. I really wanted to chug a couple beers and drink wine while cooking and with dinner. I ended up resisting and decided to head up to bed early. I read for a bit, then grabbed a bowl of ice cream and watched some funny stuff on my laptop (RiffTrax).

It's weird how it'll sneak up on you when you least suspect. It's good to have a battle plan, that's for sure!

[Blues Heron]

1. Booze is relentless.

booze will be waiting for you 5, 10 , 15, 20, 25, 50 years from now. I knew someone who was dry for 8 years, went to Italy, had a glass of wine with lunch and within a month was back to drinking around the clock. That's after 8 years.

Don't even give an inch.

[demosincebirth]

2. Glass of wine with a meal is a step to the abyss

[katmondoo]

3. It is the same with cigarettes

Smoke one even after 20 years and you will not be able to stop!!

[Blue Dawn]

5. So true!

It happened to me. I had quit smoking for 16 years and then after working at a catering job one evening, four of us sat down to listen to some piano music and have a glass of wine; all the other women were smoking. I smoked one cigarette. The next morning I bought a pack and smoked an additional 20 years until I quit again. It's been 12 years since I quit the second time, but I really do regret that I ever smoked that one cigarette.

[Alpeduez21]

4. Definitely have a battle plan.

I got up at 6:05am today so I have been sober for about 4 hours today. On the other hand, I haven't had a drink in 29years8months and 8days. I was taught to put off that drink until tomorrow and stay clean and sober today. Wake up do that again

My plan is do the next right thing. Distract myself with fun things, video games, learning to play banjo, staying busy and reaching out to my support group. If I do today what I did yesterday I've got a good shot at remaining clean and sober.

My disease is always only so far away. Used to be it was a heavy weight just crushing me. When I first got clean it was this heavy burden I carried around. Was able to put it on the ground and drag. Then into a shopping cart and push it around. As time and practice being clean went on it became lighter and an easier weight to manage. Now it's just a helium balloon tethered to my wrist. Doesn't slow me down or impede me in any way but it is still right freaking there. When I lose awareness of its proximity that's when it catches me off guard, anymore.

Know you're battle plan, adjust it accordingly and put it to action. Good thoughts. Thanks for sharing and hang in there.

[bif]

6. Thanks!

I am hanging in there! I'm semi-retired and have so much more living to do! This is when it gets fun!

[Chainfire]

7. It gets easier with time.

It has been around 15 years for me and I don't even think about it any more (and I haven't for years). Keep up the good fight, trust your judgement. Keep reminding yourself why you quit. You are winning!

[Rhiannon12866]

8. A long timer with over 30 years spoke to a beginner at a celebration I attended

He said that they both were the same distance from their next drink. All we all have is 24 hours - One Day at a Time. And that's one thing I have learned about myself - as an alcoholic, I can never stop at just one. So as long as I stay away from that first drink, I'll remain sober. It took me awhile to learn that, I entered recovery in November 2008, my sobriety date is April 30, 2009. But I still only need to worry about today.

Kudos for doing the next right thing. And ice cream works for me, too - it was one of my very first "tools."