Craving for alcohol can be explained in simple words as an uncontrollable obsessive desire to consume more, and more… and still more, until a person loses control of his senses and logical thinking. It is not simple to contain, and sometimes leads to unexplainable acts. As a result, the brain loses track of the normal activities performed in daily life. In short, life becomes haywire; there is no routine and the mind runs riot. In order to control this alcohol craving, one needs change in life to arrive at a complete transformation. For this, a number of steps need to be taken.
Honesty to oneself. If this is being practiced, honesty to others will follow (an alcohol-soaked mind will go to any lengths to procure money or the drink). A clean, honest, open and willing mind helps aid in what is termed as the process of acceptance.
Change of lifestyle. This can be done in a number of ways:
AA meetings. A meeting a day keeps the disease at bay. Do not repress yourself at AA meetings. Share your feelings.
Keep in touch with your therapist on a regular basis, and your sponsor on a daily basis. Talk to your sponsor at least once a day.
Keep a list of numbers of senior AA members to call up in troubling situations when your sponsor is not available.
Do not, at any cost, keep liquor at home.
Say a firm “NO” to that lethal first drink.
Keep the AA booklet “Meeting in Your Pocket” containing the steps, traditions, preamble and the promises in our pocket or wallet at all times. Read the booklet whenever the craving begins creeping up.
Make all efforts aimed the parents/family members/guardians happy. This will go a long way in distracting your mind.
Resign yourself to the fact the process of recovery is lifelong, and that no matter what, you cannot have a drink in this lifetime.
Contributed by RG Narayan –recovering alcoholic
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