By Becky McBoom

Today’s lesson comes straight from the MM Toolbox. If you’ve spent some time in the MM community, you may have heard people use it as a tool to help them stop drinking when they have hit their allotted number of drinks for the day. But what if we adapt it and apply it to our abstinence period?

Play The Movie To The End: “What will happen if you drink that drink? How will it change tomorrow? Next week? Next month? Do another reversal and play the movie to the end if you don’t drink that drink.”

When faced with a craving, it’s easy to just think of how difficult things feel in that moment and how much better you would feel right now if you had a drink. You might be focused on how it would help you feel less stressed, sad, or anxious in the short run. You might acknowledge that you wouldn’t feel like you were missing out in a social setting where other people around you are drinking and seem to be having fun. You may even convince yourself that you will have “just one drink” or that this will be the only time you give in to the temptation. 

To apply this tool, take a moment to look into the future. Sometimes it can be easier to do this if you can physically remove yourself from the situation that is contributing to the craving for a few minutes. Think about the following questions.

Will you actually be able to stop at just one drink? If you give in now, what is stopping you from giving in next time? How much better will you feel when you wake up tomorrow? This can include things like being well rested, being better hydrated, not dealing with “hangxiety” (the overwhelming feeling of anxiety that can occur after drinking), and feeling a boost in your self esteem. If you stay committed to abstinence this time, will it give you the confidence to stay abstinent the next time you get a craving? How much money will it save you? Will it help you take a step towards improving any relationships in your life or your performance at work?

You can even take an extra step and journal about your answer to these questions or discuss them with a trusted family member or friend. Shifting your focus from how horrible it feels to work through a craving to how wonderful it will feel to be on the other side of it can make a world of difference. 

Next time you are craving a drink, take a moment to play the movie to the end. It just might give you the extra resolve you need to stay abstinent.