put the plug in the jug.....

I would suggest reading a book by AA called "Living Sober"

Does that book suggest pattern breakers?

I needed to have the option to drink taken away from me so I went to in-patient treatment for 33 days. I've been a member of AA in the years since and by the grace of God the obsession to drink has been removed and replaced with a desire to improve my spiritual fitness. Why not AA? The rooms are full of "experts" aka folks who were sick like me and have found a solution. Seems like a no-brainer if you haven't been able to quit. My life is not perfect, but I no longer worry about patterns or triggers. Because of the steps, I can go anywhere and do anything without desiring alcohol.

I won't rule out AA at all. All options on the table

Great response Flash! H.O.W................you've covered the "O" by being open-minded. I would suggest working on the "W" now which is willingness to take action and get to a meeting where you'll have a chance to get started on the "H" honesty. Keep us updated daily if possible. If I can stop drinking........you can stop drinking but all of us need to work together.

Moderation did not work for me. When I make the choice to change my life almost 17 months ago the only way was to tell myself that not a drop of alcohol would pass my lips again. Ever!! Forming that concept was vital for me. I never looked back after I embraced that. Now I still work on changing patterns in my mind to healthier ones. That’s an on going process. I am thankful each day that drinking isn’t one of them anymore. Want to change. Only you can make it really happen. Bests

Alcohol is a drug. I was addicted. When I quit I would use any excuse to start again. This time I found that going to aa meetings and meeting new friends made staying quit possible. I had my last drink June 9, 2012. Over 6 years ago. It’s a very addictive drug that made me forget about life. I forget about a lot of other things and made bad decisions. But it had me fooled into thinking I needed it. F that it was rotting my body from the inside out.

Find some new ways to cope. And yes the boredom and stress are good excuses. I suggest that you try to do some good, like maybe volunteer at a charity , by doing esteemable acts you get self esteem and that makes life better

1-2

I follow AA as well and I am like you I think of alcohol as a poison for me. I am like finally awake I made a promise to myself and to the group of AA I was in and to my husband that I was done and accepted that not one drink will ever pass my lips again. As for triggers you need to find things that you like. I think it is individual like each person. I myself have read a ton about addiction and stories about addiction to learn all I can. I meditate with YouTube videos they have a ton of self hypnosis things that help me relax when things are really bad. Each time I think about drinking I try to think beyond that first drink. I know that these are not necessarily what they are for, but I have held my 30 day, 1 year and now 3 year coins in my hand and thought about a relapse and how much it would suck to start all over from the beginning.

I have a long lost of things that I 'used to do' and enjoyed. I have been adding them back into my life and it has been a lot of fun to rediscover activities I haven't done in a long time. I am also exploring some new things that I find interesting and want to learn more about. I have actually had to not add things to my list as it is too full of ideas and I want to honor my time and spend it well. I started with simple things around my house like keeping the kitchen super clean at all times and not falling behind on housework. Then I added reading and shopping. When I shop I don't usually buy anything, I just like looking at what is for sale and walking from shop to shop. I have also been writing a lot. I made a list of topics that I am interesting in exploring deeper in my recovery and it has been very helpful in doing some self exploration of my feelings and I also remembered that I like to write. Just simple thoughts that weren't directly related to a specific event. I have been doing some sewing, which I have always enjoyed but have never done enough to be an excellent sewer. I love herbal tea and I am learning more about the healing properties of the different herbs and intend to start blending my own teas.

All this to say, what is it that you like or like to do and how can you make it into an activity that you enjoy doing as a hobby?

Unfortunately until you get done and make sobriety your top priority not much is going to change. What's your experience with the "AA model" to make that statement?

Welcome back Flash!

I went through outpatient treatment. If you live in the USA, every major hospital has one. Ours was called the "Serene Program" and it taught us coping skills so we wouldn't feel the need to use alcohol as a crutch when we got stressed, and I thought it helped me alot. After the IOP, I continued with AA meetings and got alot of support there.

This is what worked for me and now I have a great life.

Good luck finding something that will work for you. Keep us posted. The path you take on your road to recovery, might help someone else. Many people read these but never respond for some reason.

God Bless

I never went to AA so no experience but I went to life ring a few times which is quite similar.
Can people give me suggestions about pattern interrupters ? Things to do when the urge is strong?
I shall go back to life ring meetings

I wrote these awhile ago and I think they might be what you are looking for so I dug them up.

https://www.dailystrength.org/group/alcoholism/discussion/factors-associated-with-relapse

https://www.dailystrength.org/group/alcoholism/discussion/recognizing-dangerous-situations

Do things to be gentle with yourself things you enjoy. I would take a walk, take a bath, read, or my secret guilty pleasure is to just get out of the house and go to my local thrift store. Even if I spend I can usually hang out for about 2 hours and spend $20.

I have meditated in thought about pattern interruption as this deeply concerns me too. What I have learned over the last year is that everything in me, that is me, is interconnected. Emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being I like to just combine and call it my health. I have self esteem issues that trip me up. My sobriety is healing that slowly. The way I have been changing patterns (or thought loops which I like better) is to be aware of them and practice calming them. It’s a patience thing. The mind can be strengthened by using it and not letting it get away from us. My success (good days) comes when I am open and accepting. Instead of having a negative thought and trying to get it out, it’s healthier for me to let it guide me to it’s source. Often I learn something about myself that I didn’t want to face. When I learn the lesson that was trying to get through then a positive thought will take its place. And I’m one step closer to free. Every aha moment I have shows me how I have denied myself peace by giving into living in fear (anxiety for me). So when I feel myself starting to repeat an unhealthy behavior I ask myself, ‘what can I do right now that will make me a better man. It is often as simple a thing as going for a walk or making a nice meal for my wife and I. Or doing a project that I have avoided. Practice living. Like the Buddhist monks say ; just stop. Stop the runaway train of your mind and slowly bring it under control. Meditation is important. Concentration on what is ethical for you is also. The most important thing I have learned is embrace change. It’s not the big scary thing I have lived in avoidance with for so long. It’s actually our friend. Meet your friend with open arms.