Free AI web copilot to create summaries, insights and extended knowledge, download it at here

Abstract

ent — "I've been clean for one week, but that's nothing. I won't be able to keep it up forever."</li><li>Harshly judging small mistakes — "I'm such an idiot. How am I going to stay sober if I can't even remember one therapy appointment?"</li><li>Feeling as though you don't deserve forgiveness — "I deserve to be alone forever because of what I did to my friends and family when I was high."</li><li>Resenting other people — "Staying sober is easier for others because their lives are less stressful than mine."</li><li>Making unfounded assumptions about others — "It's pointless to try to find a new job. Nobody is going to want to hire someone who was fired because of an addiction."</li></ul><h2 id="b467">You could be risking your recovery with your negative thinking</h2>Sure, occasionally feeling down about your attempts at sobriety is normal. This is a big job and not to be taken lightly. Admitting it's difficult is not a bad thing.But, constantly holding onto negative thoughts will impact your chance of attaining and maintaining sobriety. This can also cause depression or anxiety, increasing the urge to medicate with alcohol.You need a support group. Even one or two people who care about you can be a lifeline. Even one day without a drink is something to celebrate.If you continually complain and speak negatively about your failure to quit drinking, your friends and family may begin to back away from you. No one wants to be around someone who always views life and problems from a pessimistic viewpoint.I’m not advising you to fake it when you’re down but find something positive in your attempt to sober up.It has been shown that negative thoughts can cause you to doubt your own ability to quit drinking. Remember the old 'fake it till you make it' idea?How about pretending you are strong and can easily pass up that drink tonight? It may be one way to get through a night without imbibing.<blockquote id="8deb">I chose sober because I wanted a better life. I stay sober because I got one. — Anonymous.</blockquote><h2 id="a152">Self-care ideas for combatting negative thinking:</h2>Remember, negative thoughts aren't always

Options

a reflection of what is happening. Journaling is a helpful way to get your emotions and worries on paper where you can see them. I used this method daily, and it helped immensely. You can also outline your day and how you will navigate temptation. Having a plan is of utmost importance.Waypoint suggests:<blockquote id="a364">Another great strategy is to commit to treating yourself the same way you’d treat a friend. Would you tell a friend who was struggling that changing her situation was hopeless or that she deserved to have bad things happen to her? Of course not! Keep in mind that no matter what has happened in the past, you are worthy of the same love and respect you’d give to a friend in need.</blockquote><figure id="9b09"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*zdbeZNrU8evazF8S"><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@clicker_babu?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral">Clicker Babu</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure><a href="https://readmedium.com/trying-to-quit-drinking-nows-the-time-to-be-kind-and-patient-with-yourself-5824b8d9f1d3">My self-care consisted of treating myself as though my health, sobriety, and life mattered.</a>What did this look like?<ul><li>I made sure that I exercised daily — even if it was only a 30-minute dog walk. Regardless of the weather, I got my butt out the door every morning.</li><li>I began a 10-minute guided meditation routine. First thing in the morning, I put in my AirPods and listened on the Unplug app.</li><li>Fresh fruits and veggies were increased and consumed for snacks along with a bit of protein.</li><li>Sleep became a priority, and as I accumulated sober days, I slept better and deeper.</li><li>Rests during the day were no longer shunned. I indulged in naps if I felt tired. After all, sobering up takes energy.</li></ul>Remember — you are worth having an alcohol-free, healthy, robust, and productive life. Keep the positivity flowing.If you need help quitting drinking, call your local alcohol abuse hotline or SAMSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration) at 1–800–662-HELP (4357).</article></body>

STRATEGIES TO QUIT

Say Goodbye to Your Negative Thoughts and Doubts, Quit Drinking, and Create a New Productive Life

I’m not suggesting you become a Pollyanna — yet a change in attitude could be necessary.

Are you aware that humans have between 60,000 and 80,000 thoughts a day?

Holy cow, that's a lot of thinking. And energy. It takes energy to think, even though many thoughts come in and go out without explanation.

Are you considering quitting drinking? How optimistic are your thoughts when you have this idea?

I tried to quit many times throughout my drinking years. When that failed, I tried to moderate my drinking.

I was excited about the prospect of being alcohol-free or at least cutting back, but my thoughts didn't support me. I didn't believe I could stop drinking. It was a deep-seated feeling that stayed with me for many years.

Our thoughts must be aligned with our goal to be AF, or we don't have a chance of attaining success.

Here are some examples of negative thoughts according to Waypoint Recovery Center:

Thinking there is something "wrong" with you as a person — "I can't get sober because I have no willpower.” (This was a huge one for me.)
Reducing complicated problems to back and white scenarios — "Therapy didn't work for my uncle when he wanted to stop drinking, so it's not going to work for me.”
Pessimism about the future — "Recovery is too hard. I relapsed once, so I am doomed to fail."
Bitterness about the past — "It's my ex-wife's fault I drink. I wouldn't be an addict if she hadn't filed for divorce." (I didn't blame my father directly, though I often said one of my reasons for drinking was to numb a painful childhood—an excuse but it didn't work.)
Minimizing your own accomplishment — "I've been clean for one week, but that's nothing. I won't be able to keep it up forever."
Harshly judging small mistakes — "I'm such an idiot. How am I going to stay sober if I can't even remember one therapy appointment?"
Feeling as though you don't deserve forgiveness — "I deserve to be alone forever because of what I did to my friends and family when I was high."
Resenting other people — "Staying sober is easier for others because their lives are less stressful than mine."
Making unfounded assumptions about others — "It's pointless to try to find a new job. Nobody is going to want to hire someone who was fired because of an addiction."

You could be risking your recovery with your negative thinking

Sure, occasionally feeling down about your attempts at sobriety is normal. This is a big job and not to be taken lightly. Admitting it's difficult is not a bad thing.

But, constantly holding onto negative thoughts will impact your chance of attaining and maintaining sobriety. This can also cause depression or anxiety, increasing the urge to medicate with alcohol.

You need a support group. Even one or two people who care about you can be a lifeline. Even one day without a drink is something to celebrate.

If you continually complain and speak negatively about your failure to quit drinking, your friends and family may begin to back away from you. No one wants to be around someone who always views life and problems from a pessimistic viewpoint.

I’m not advising you to fake it when you’re down but find something positive in your attempt to sober up.

It has been shown that negative thoughts can cause you to doubt your own ability to quit drinking. Remember the old 'fake it till you make it' idea?

How about pretending you are strong and can easily pass up that drink tonight? It may be one way to get through a night without imbibing.

I chose sober because I wanted a better life. I stay sober because I got one. — Anonymous.

Self-care ideas for combatting negative thinking:

Remember, negative thoughts aren't always a reflection of what is happening. Journaling is a helpful way to get your emotions and worries on paper where you can see them. I used this method daily, and it helped immensely. You can also outline your day and how you will navigate temptation. Having a plan is of utmost importance.

Waypoint suggests:

Another great strategy is to commit to treating yourself the same way you’d treat a friend. Would you tell a friend who was struggling that changing her situation was hopeless or that she deserved to have bad things happen to her? Of course not! Keep in mind that no matter what has happened in the past, you are worthy of the same love and respect you’d give to a friend in need.

My self-care consisted of treating myself as though my health, sobriety, and life mattered.

What did this look like?

I made sure that I exercised daily — even if it was only a 30-minute dog walk. Regardless of the weather, I got my butt out the door every morning.
I began a 10-minute guided meditation routine. First thing in the morning, I put in my AirPods and listened on the Unplug app.
Fresh fruits and veggies were increased and consumed for snacks along with a bit of protein.
Sleep became a priority, and as I accumulated sober days, I slept better and deeper.
Rests during the day were no longer shunned. I indulged in naps if I felt tired. After all, sobering up takes energy.

Remember — you are worth having an alcohol-free, healthy, robust, and productive life. Keep the positivity flowing.

If you need help quitting drinking, call your local alcohol abuse hotline or SAMSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration) at 1–800–662-HELP (4357).