It took a while for me to learn that finishing the job right was reward enough. You are doing great. do you go to meetings? Not trying to be a smart ass just asking,, really.
PEACE, MARK

It's breaking the pattern isn't it? At the moment I can't watch telly - just isn't the same without a can/glass in hand for some reason at the moment. So I do other stuff and I am keeping busy. I'm sure it doesn't mean I won't ever watch tv again! Another pattern for me was buying booze late afternoon on way home. I stayed in for a while but this week been out and about and the pattern has been broken.

congrats on 7 days that's brilliant!

For sure what PM2 and Dotty mentioned. I found alternatives to the behavioural patterns that had me drinking. Replaced a lot of that TV time with a variety of activities, and time with others. Did need a guide to lead the way though, and I found that in other alcoholics who had travelled a similar path. Welcome to the group Endo, and good job on your first week.

peaseman2 i am very knew with all this do not know were to turn i am not in any meetings that is why i am here and this is helping me so far

Mark and hte others are right on - we gget to change the way we live. Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are a good way to learn about changing our lives...
Hugs,
Dennis

Oh, I remember exactly what this was like. I used to do all of my outdoor projects with a beer in my hand. Cutting grass, fixing fences, working in the barn. I'd even find excuses for "extra work" because it allowed me to drink for a longer period of time without being bothered by anyone.

After drinking for a long enough period of time that I could barely walk across the room (sober) I was shown what it would be like to lose many of my physical abilities. With the help of some others, I learned exercises to relax and quiet my mind, and simply enjoy what was in front of me at the moment. Now I'm back to the outdoor work that has to be done, but no longer drinking....and enjoying it.

It's early in the game endo and it takes a little time. As others said, break your patterns and do what it takes to get through these first few weeks. And welcome to DS

I am guessing that drinking is not much of a reward as if it was working out well for you then you probably wouldn't want to stop. Strange that we reward ourselves with something that is actually causing us pain - I used to do that - now I see that it doesn't make sense.

Maybe you can think about alternatives that would really be a reward at the end of the day. Something you enjoy that doesn't cause you harm.

I use to read books alol b4 I started drinking. Now I can't finish a book or anything. Sometimes I just sit for hours being totally lazy even though it is not in my nature. I think we have to learn how to be the real us again.

Hey endo, welcome mate. This is a good place for people with booze problems. Filling in the time when we would normally be drinking is a classic problem for we booze hounds. For me the best thing has been AA meetings - you can just go a check it out if you want -as an observer - no committment to stay or anything. But it has helped me stay sober for 11 years, so I thought I'd mention it. Regardless of what you decide, please keep posting here.

Ah, yes. The first 30 days. All I remember is that I had total brain fog. Then I spent every weekend at my sponsor's house crying. I hadn't cried for many years before that. Now I'm working on a couple of decades of sobriety. Congratulations. We all only have a daily reprieve. Can't add much to what has been said, except that this site is no substitute for treatment. Good people for the most part, though. Hugs, sara