Yesterday I was thinking about what triggers me to drink, and I realized it wasn't just places. Like certain restaurants trigger me because I used to always order a drink. But really what triggers me most is my emotions. When I want to celebrate I drink, when I'm bored, tired, irritable I drink. Every emotional extreme triggers a desire to drink for me. So I was brainstorming what to do when I have these emotions and I came up with the following:
When I'm bored I will try a new Exotic restaurant.
When I'm tired and irritable I will lay down and close my eyes I. A dark silent room for 15 min or however long it takes for the feeling to pass.
When I'm sad I will let myself cry and do some journaling or go for a walk.
When I want to celebrate I'll try a new activity like going to the indoor pool, going tubing, again trying a new restaurant, bowling, going to watch a movie etc.
I need this lost to remind myself there are other reactions to emotions that I can have that do not involve drinking. When I feel these emotions I will stop and say " I feel tired and irritable" and acknowledging this I will refer to my list and put my action plan in motion.
