Drinking

[oldexpat]

I have now been completely dry for 1 month. This is however because I am in Egypt at the moment and I would have to travel very far to buy alcohol. I usually have a lot o drink every day and if I am with my girlfriend I sometimes hide the fact I drink. I am actually feeling good at the moment and really not thinking about drink at all. However when I change my location and can easily buy alcohol I will probably slip back into my old ways very easily. Could anyone give me any tips on how to stop this from happening at all? My will power is pretty poor to be honest. Also when I drink I alsways smoke. I have been on a steroid inhaler for this and recently have not bothered using it and just occasionally use my ventilin. So obviously I can see the benefits of not drinking in front of me.

I have tried to analyse what it is that actually makes me drink but can't quite put my hands on it. The only reason I could actually honestly tell you is that I just get an urge to change the way I think and this intensifies until I am drunk.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Just any tips on preventing slipping back into my old ways would be good.

Also I still now I think deny to myself its a problem as I can go to work everyday etc no problem. But as soon as that clock strikes finish time I only think about drinking.

[Count-A-Strong]

I suggest you get some professional help expat. Addiction takes 2 forms, physical and mental. Your desctription seems to indicate the latter.

[boxtops]

Well done expat for recognising and acknowledging that you have a problem - that is half the battle. If it's hard to get help in your current environment, have you considered a self-help tape? Hypnotherapy (if you commit to it) can be a great help in changing habits - and it is a habit which has become an addiction, if you think about it so much. Not only bad for your health but bad for your pocket too, particularly if you smoke and you already have respiratory problems. Something like this might be worth a try, to get you thinking http://cgi.ebay.co.uk...U_Non_Fiction_Books_2
Do come back and tell us about your success in beating this - don't forget, small steps can be better than great big statements in the early days! Good luck.

[jackthehat]

I thought you were in Libya.......?

[tamborine]

fill your day till you tire for bed. Find active leisure habits.....work up adrenalin on walking/running machines etc. Have a goal, maybe body-building ?

Every moment has to be occupied to break the addiction. hard, but good luck.