Chapter Three: Are you ready to act now?

Under Question Five I talked about the power of the subconscious to overcome your determination. Craving (triggered by subconscious mechanisms) will remain a threat to you always. It will occur less frequently as time passes by, but in a way this makes it even more dangerous for you - you may have lowered your guard by then. When you are craving you will find yourself thinking "Go on - just one drink can't hurt - how could it?" Psychologists talk about 'cues and triggers' that in an instant lead to thoughts like this. There are probably an infinite number of possible triggers for craving, and they range from feelings such as depression and excitement, to thoughts such as the memory of a friend you used to drink with, to situations you find yourself in such as a wedding where there is drink readily available, or just walking past an off-licence or pub.

The things that cause craving in one person will not have the same effect in another. You will learn the common causes of craving for you in time, as you experience them. Each time you stay dry and resist the temptation to drink, you will have the opportunity to see how you managed to do this, and to learn how to either avoid the same situation in the future, or how to deal with it if it occurs. Some forms of counselling for alcohol problems concentrate specifically on strengthening your skills in dealing with the situations, thoughts and feelings that trigger craving. I will tell you how to access such counselling in your area in Part II of this book.

In the meantime it is important to remember that craving may strike you completely unawares, even many years after you last had a drink. There are so many drinkers out there who will tell you their story - the story of how they hadn't had a drink for years and years, and then one day they found themselves in the pub on their sixth pint. They found themselves there because they had let down their guard against the little voice.

Next page .. Chapter Three - Question Eight

How To Enjoy Life Without Alcohol index

The above information is copyright of Dr Bruce Trathen MBBS MRCPsych (2006). ISBN 0-9545164-0-0. The author grants permission for these guidelines to be downloaded, copied and distributed freely, but does not grant permission for their sale.