Posted by RobertDavid on June 10, 2006, at 13:51:43
In reply to Re: Having luck with Rational Recovery, posted by AuntieMel on June 10, 2006, at 10:50:04
10 days out now and sober (and happy). Feeling no urge to drink. At the exact moment any feelings or thoughts creep into my head about drinking in any manner what so ever (which there have hardly been any) I know how to deal with it/what to think.
Strange, the desire has vanished. RR talks about 2 parts of your brain, one the mid brain (animal part - the part that seeks any kind of pleasure including eating, water, breathing including the pleasure of alcohol) which they call "it" and the "beast" and the cortex/top part of the brain that has reason and the only part that can actually take action to do anything. They call it "I". The "I" is who you are and is the ultimate dicision maker of what you do.
Anyway, the beast can send messages they call Addictive Voice that "I" can just ignore and recognize it for what it is. What's worked for me is referring to my beast as a dog that "barks" on occation. I just recognize is for what it is and move on. It's barking less and less.
Now all that probably doesn't make much sense to someone that doesn't know about Rational Recovery, but it's working for me. In fact I'm so optimistic about my full recovery that my name on their discussion board is "Idontdrink". I never would have made such a statement before and I'll be damned if I'm going to drink again.
I do think there is parts that is over the top about AA there and will use whatever tools I want from where ever I see fit. And for those that have success with AA I think that's great. This is just really working for me and wanted to share it, just another option for anyone that hasn't had luck with other treatments. Appearantly from their board it is working for many long term. It' certainly not for everyone.
I've just started reading one of the books they offer a chapter a night. The info, besides the AA bashing, is hitting home for me. I think it will be important for me to re-visit the material and interenet course they offer from time to time to keep me focused. Anyway, it's my plan to post a year from now celebrating my sobriety. It's been a long time since I got past 5 days without a drink.......
poster:RobertDavid
thread:654720
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20060512/msgs/655265.html