Replacing "bad" addictions with "good" addictions

[Tippy]

2blessed mentioned replacing addiction in another thread. She suggested God, an excellent replacement!
I am using excersize and Bible reading. I am not yet ready to return to the church. The exercise helps with energy, which is why I got addicted in the first place...using pills for energy.
What do you use to avoid the dragon?

[Stephanie]

Well, when I first got into recovery I used men, food, shopping
anything that I thought would make me feel better. It didn't work because I was doing exactly what you just asked. I was continueing to AVOID my problems. The key is to admit it's there, admit that's it has beaten you and start to face it............

Until one day, you wake up, and it isn't there anymore. Then you can live your life like so many others who only think of a dragon as part of a fairy tale they heard as a child.

[Hanker]

I also have found exercise to be a great aid in recovery. I started with jogging and then I did a marathon. I progressed to triathlons and last year I completed an Ironman. It may seem impressive but anyone can do it. It's just a matter of setting the goal, making a plan, and then executing it. If you have any doubt, be a spectator at any race, 10k marathon, triathlon, etc. and you will see that the majority of the people are regular desk jockeys just like me.

[Tippy]

Hot damn!
Hank, do you know what hashers are? Hash House Harriers?
That's how I got started binge drinking. We'd do a run, then get wasted on a keg. I graduated to pillpopping. Now I can barely get through a Billy Blanks TaeBo workout.
Please, would you tell me your regimen? What did you start out with? How long from dos to doing a seven minute mile? How long have you been clean?
My body feels so poisoned. It took me 15 minutes to walk a mile today.
How old are you? I'm 39, and starting to feel like it!

Until one day, you wake up, and it isn't there anymore. Then you can live your life like so many others who only think of a dragon as part of a fairy tale they heard as a child.

Oh, Lord, searching, I will dance nekkid in the street when that day comes!

[Stephanie]

i never thought the compulsion to use would go away, but it did. As I got better and worked the steps of the recovery program I attend, I found tools to help me in life so I did not need drugs. It's a process and it takes what it takes but it is so worth it when you experience freedom.

In the beginning people always told me to ask god for help for the compulsion to be lifted. I have been following your posts and I notice you are asking a lot of questions about god. I didn't know the answers then and I don't know them now, but I do know I was desperate and willing to try anything. I did pray everyday for god to take away the cravings and I just continued to go to meetings and not pick up. All I know is I have not had the desire to use for many years. Now when I have a problem the first thing I think of is calling a sober friend from AA to talk about it. Like I said, it's freedom.