dealing with stress
What is it that makes your stress level build and build until you feel you will just bust? I remember past failures and getting to this point where I couldn't figure out how to relieve the pressure.
first of all, you have to accept that craves are a normal part of recovery, and that, if you're ever going to recover, you're going to have them.
what makes the stress level build like that is resistance; the more you fight the craves, the more they'll fight back. if you don't resist them, they can't use that energy against you.
But how do I not resist them?
first of all, you have to accept that craves are a normal part of recovery, and that, if you're ever going to recover, you're going to have them.
then, when you feel a crave, acknowledge it: say to yourself, "oh. having a crave." no big deal: say it as if you'd just looked in the mirror and realized that the person looking back at you is you.
next, realize that you're free to feed this crave any time you want; all it takes is a quick trip to the convenience store.
now, remind yourself that this crave, like all the others, will go away — all by itself — whether you feed it or not.
finally, make your choice:
either
choose not to feed the crave, accepting that you may have to put up with a little momentary discomfort in order to get a whole list of long-term benefits (it really helps to have a list of benefits to read at this point; if you don't have one, it's a great time to start one),
~ or ~
choose to feed the crave, knowing that you'll only be getting a momentary reprieve from that discomfort for the next half-hour or so (until you need another fix), and that by doing so, you're inviting a whole list of long-term problems into your life.
either way, whatever choice you make, act on it and get on with your life. there's no need to stress at this point; you've made your choice, for better or worse. it's in the past; you can't change it.
of course, once you've made your choice, you have to live with it.
that's why i suggest you choose life.
