Hi ginniver,
I have in the past started without a plan. But in order for me to achieve long term sobriety (longer than 9 months; I’m now close to 3 years), I did need a sober plan aside from just keeping busy. I was a high functioning alcoholic and somehow managed training and running a full marathon during heavy drinking years. I continued being successful at a stressful job and I was dealing with a special needs child. I kept justifying that my problem was not that bad because I was so functional. But the problem was progressively getting worse to the point I was making lots of mistakes and starting to experience health consequences.
My plan after my final relapse was to go to regular therapy with a therapist trained in addiction and recovery (he himself had 30 years sober), start yoga and meditation, read a lot of books on recovery and completely change my life and way of handling stress and hardship.
Everyone’s path is different. But I do believe some type of plan and purpose is essential.