It was alot easier for me because I had alot of support during those early days of sobriety. I had an AA sponsor who was always just a phone call away and I called him many times in the first few months.. He always talked me out of taking that first drink by relating a similar story of how he learned to handle those kinds of situations. The wisdom I gained from him and from many others in my AA beginner's group laid a perfect foundation for me to build my sobriety upon going forward. It was like having a family where nobody was ever fighting, nobody was ever arguing, nobody was judging.....there was nothing but unconditional love and acceptance everywhere I looked!.

It's now 9 plus years later, I have a great life and I have never been happier.

God Bless

Hello tinydancer02,

You are now at a point in time when great things are almost within your grasp but you need to hold on a little while in order to get there.

When I was where you are now, the one thing that helped greatly was an understanding of alcoholism and an acceptance that I could not drink safely. Sure, I could drink all that I wanted but I knew what the consequences would be. I would urge you to watch the Joe McQuany video on Step 1 which is posted online. Once you know exactly why you cannot drink and accept that reality, the urge to drink should start to diminish.

Another thing that you can do is to run the tape in your head the whole way through to the end. You will see that what starts off as a couple of drinks always ends in more pain and disaster.

If you are serious about sobriety, it would be a good idea to try and get very many AA meetings for the next three months. Don’t just go to meetings but listen out for ladies who have the sort of sobriety that you would like to have and ask one of them if she would become your sponsor.

Maybe it is time to stop fighting and move instead to acceptance.

Great job on two weeks! That is an accomplishment you should feel good about. Living sober gets easier. Sometimes in the beginning you just have to gut it out. Some things that helped me might help you:

Drink lots of water (being thirsty can trigger cravings)
Stay active -- I found going for a long walk during the "cocktail" hour helped
Get involved in activities where people are drinking
Time your bad cravings -- I found that when I timed them, they did not last as long. A bad craving will stop, and you can get through them.

It is hard in the beginning, but if you stay with it, you will find that sobriety is a million times better than drinking.

Two weeks, wow! Congrats! Those are definitely the hardest days. Agree with ExJerseyGirl about drinking plenty of water, and I also found out that I when wanted a drink most when I was hungry. After eating something the thirst for alcohol went away. I'd also get some help and suggest you reconnect with the AA group and share what you're going through. Agree with Bob that if you're ready for it, a sponsor could be a great resource for you now. Regardless of what you do, we're here for you and so happy for your success!

The first couple of weeks are the hardest for withdrawal and cravings BUT you have succeeded and that is a brilliant and brave achievement- well done you!!
Wake each morning with the strength of not drinking that day and soon the days turn into weeks and so on!! Good luck and much love to you xxxx

You need relief, like all of us who are afflicted with alcoholism or just drink hard to numb or wash away the pain.

That is nothing to be ashamed of, I found there is not shame in not having the power to react well or manage difficult people, places, and things.

I had to admit and agree with the spiritual or healing ideas that I as a human being simply do not have the power to solve all my problems. Currently I am dealing with an over-ambitious unrealistic duo that sees me as a liability to an insane inconsiderate and grandiose business plan. They want me out because I am tame in my ambition in this interest, sane, calm, extremely considerate of others, and completely in line with reality when it comes to this specific interest we all contribute towards. I have no power in the decision of these "wrong" people, but I have been given the power to give God the power to create a solution, specifically for me, out of it, and that will relieve the pain of the threat of losing my home, income, and security to the selfishness of a crazy group, which frankly I cannot align myself seriously with anymore.

I say all of that because I did the same with my alcoholism, I just simply couldn't take the demands drinking with a craving and obsession beyond human control requires. The DWI's, the large tabs, the ruined relationships, the dehydration, the fake friends, the meaningless conversations that lead to no where the next day under the excuses of "well, we were drunk and not really serious." All that crap, not to mention the extreme anger when I couldn't get alcohol, the drugs that the alcohol suggested, the fear of getting caught, or driving drunk, the ego that grew not caring for anyone, and thinking life was made just to get drunk over. I used to think life was only here for me to drink over! If you've recovered from alcoholism, that is hilarious, because that is how we think, we are so arrogant that we think the world was only created to give us something to drink over. LOL!

Anyway, there is a common theme that has helped me greatly in both staying sober, and growing on to bigger and better things while abstinent from alcohol. One is conceding to power greater than I, both good and bad, as too great for me to solve, or change. Once I see that I am not of the mind state where I can conquer all, including not drinking, and once I see that it is ok that sometimes I lose, often through others decisions or free will, I can then give my life to a power that loves me, and wants exactly what I want, both to be free and live life with joy and security.

The second step in the 12 steps is so powerful, and it is a constant throughout the process and substance of recovery. This power, one that I have come to believe is a great comforter and sees all, when I pray and desire a real relationship with it, life become do-able, and drinking becomes not an interest.

I have to also admit that I will make mistakes, but that will bring me closer to God.

I have found some easy things to do if you want to naturally grow closer to God and testify to him being a reality in this world. Go to meetings, without any expectations and an open mind. Read the big book like it is a best friend that only wants to see you succeed. Do not seek the counsel of someone who even gives a hint of resentment in your direction. Speak with those who show no interest in receiving anything from you or and also with those who have no desire for controlling an outcome for you either. Get plenty of rest, seek change that makes you a greater solution over being any problem. Most importantly realize you are not a doctor, and you're own human power or "self-will or self-reliance" won't get the job done often. This self will or self-reliance will in return create a false faithless fear that will create spiritual sickness and will make the road ahead much more difficult in contrast to honestly believing there is a higher power out there that not only has the power to solve ALL problems, but wants to do so and will if you get closer to him.

Two weeks is a good start. I tried a million times and failed every time. I would get 3-4 weeks and think... it wasnt that bad or I just will have a couple... and back on the bottle. It took finding a replacement. the healing happened when I found a group to help me.
1is2many

Hey tinydancer - how are you feeling today??

Beyond AA, I'd also highly recommend getting in with a counselor versed in addiction.

Go back to a meeting. The urge will subside.