I know the feeling.

Right now I am writing in my journal more. And that seems to help because I can release all these negative thoughts on paper and then try to fill my head with positive affirmations and readings.

I hope you have a great SMART meeting.

We're very good at beating ourselves up, yet find it hard to look at our positive qualities, on your journey I hope your able to find some self-compassion to be kind to yourself a little more..

I do agree, maybe writing down or talking through your concerns or worries will help, otherwise they'll be racing and rattling around your brain

be a little kinder to yourself, ;)

What you are trying to deal with now can be helped with a tried and tested programme of recovery. The one that was most effective for me was the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous but I hear SMART meetings are gaining popularity and I will soon be sampling one myself because one has started within reasonable travelling distance for me. I hope you will come back and tell us what you think.

I try to familiarise myself with all treatments methods, medications and read the latest research in the field of alcoholism (just because it interests me, being a recovered alcoholic).

The bottom line, I believe, for any additional help is it will only work if you are truly committed. From my own experience I would say do all that is suggested before judging whether it works for you or not and never give up your enthusiasm and quest for the best mental and physical health you can achieve.

Thanks so much for comments and support... I will get by with the help of many.....

I know the feeling too. I've heard it referred to as "the committee" or "the itty bitty shitty committee." A friend of mine once described it as having a mind like a washing machine, where you keep putting stuff in, but nothing ever comes out.

The two pieces of advice I took that worked were:
1. Say, "thank you for sharing, now please take your seats."
2. (and this worked best) Say, "One at a time, please. I can't hear you when you're all talking at once." Then listen and focus.

I know it sounds crazy to be sort of talking to yourself, like you're Sybil, or All About Eve, but the chatter won't go away until you deal with it. At least it didn't for me. And writing it all down did help, too!

Good Luck!

I can totally relate - I am SO hard on myself. I recently purchased a CD from the Women For Sobriety website all about overcoming feelings of guilt and shame. I have been listening to it in the car and when I go for walks. It has been really helping me. Maybe something like that could help as well. wfs.org

namaste!

Breathe.
Simple, and not easy to just focus and breathe.
That alone though wasnt enough for me. I needed AA. I've learend tools in the program that I rely heaviliy on. They help me stay connected to the solution --- prayer, meditation, talking to other alcoholics, sponsoring, being sponsored, being of service. Journaling, going to meetings. All of it helps and adds up to happy for this alcoholic. So that monkey mind has lessened to the point that most days, and weeks I'm consciously connected to the people around me, to life. I'm happy. I didnt know what that felt like before AA.

amd, this is not an AA site. Most people here are in recovery through the 12 Steps or another program but seems AA has yielded the most in terms of recovery from alcoholism.

Once I sobered up, I needed help in addressing the "ism" of alcoholism. That noise that goes on between my ears. Sort of like what's going on with you. The steps I took plus some outside professional help began relieving me of the guilt & shame associated with my behavior while drinking.

It took time and perseverance for me to get to a place of peace. It took much less time compared to how long I drank.In the meantme, when you get those running thoughts, change the thought to a more positive one, such as being on the beach, favortie childhood memories, positive self affirmations, etc. The mind is very powerful. Just hang in there. It's so worth it!

When thought inter my head, I simple see a BIG RED stop sign and I refuse to think of it. I think of something very pleasant instead, a beautiful place of nature. I just keep kicking those thoughts out and that has helped me. Good luck it's a tough one to forget all the crappy things we have done. I am forgiven by God and refuse to let the devil take anymore of my peace. He had enough of that.

Try Insite Meditation.

Are you the same person that your were when you were six years old? Your body is different. You think different. You cant' go back to the past and be the same as a six year old. Are you the same person that you were when you drank? You are different both in body and mind. You cannot go back. Stay in the present. Enjoy what you are today. The past cannot be undone so why worry? I am a different person today and tomorrow I will be a different person from today. Today I am happy.

I like laura's comments about talking back to the voices, and love meblondes idea of the big red mental STOP sign.

Most of the time my internal chatter is about how could I do or say something so stupid and so and so must think I am an idiot. I try to put it in perspective, sometimes just by saying to myself -- "Hey, they aren't even thinking about you . You aren't that important that what you did is the center of their universe. LET IT GO"

Hope your SMART meeting tonight was useful. I really like the tools they provide on their website and have heard good things about their meetings.

Feeling hopeful today! going to my 1st Smart meeting tonight. I really can relate to their approach . Go online to the web site, maybe you will agree. Thanks for all your supportive comments, " stay in peace not pieces " That's my mantra for today. :)