albob

hi im an ex heroin user and alcoholic iv been clean quite a while now after years of you normal trouble with family friend police health etc but still find it very hard to find my path, i get people all the time saying how well iv done but i need to start getting out socialising the only problem with this is everything seems to lead to the pub, i have a great hobby in exotic pets but still dont get out to see new people and to socialise, i am not unhappy quite the oposit for the firs time in a lot of years im not in trouble drunk and high and i have just finished hcv treatment which was very sucsessfull, sorry to ramble on my question is basicaly what have other people found to pass time and get back out without running into areas of temptation ( which i know will always be there but id rather steer clear if poss).

Lollipop

Hi Albob,
Welcome to SR and congrats on your sober time!!!!

Exotic Animals huh???? I LOVE ALL animals......what do you have???? I used to have a mini zoo LOL.....would love to hear about it.

Have you checked into some different forums along the animal lines? Maybe you could find some people near you with the same interests, or maybe check into different groups, schools, etc. that would be interested in having you come in and educate the kids on the animals.....and there is always volunteering at places to help care for them too......

Liss

leviathon

HI and welcome to SR.

In terms of what I've done, i"ve found hobbies that I enjoy. I have really been amazed how much I have always wanted to try various activities (i.e. snow boarding, travel, cooking, music, etc.) but had not done so because of my depression and addiction. NOw I am trying them.

Peace, Levi

albob

i have only just settled enough to collect the critters but have 6 asian black spined toads ( 1 g,rosea 1 vietnam black 1 seemani all tarantulas ) some emperor scorpions on the way and the usual dogs fish rodents

as for groups and schools unfortunately i have been in so much trouble in the past most wont let me anywhere near them prety small place im in at the mo i have looked into it though, in a way im realy happy doing what im doing but i am becomeing quite a lonner and i have always been the oposit, not easy to go out anywhere special easy as im banned from driving for a few more years yet and being a fair small town transport is rubbish, i also find people have been great to me and encouraging but feel like they are all waiting for me to lose it all again which i cant realy blame them, and also as people found out i had hep c it spread like wild fire and few of them know it has a treatment now so do get some funny looks i dont mean to sound depressed because im so happy im not living in the streets out my face i just wonder whats next as iv been an addict since nearly 13 i seem to not know what "normal is",
thanks for the support some people seem to asume because im not useing and drunk its all fun and games

Anna

What worked for me was volunteer work. I got involved with something just as I stopped drinking and it has been great. I started off thinking that I had something to offer and soon realized that I was getting far more than I was giving. Look around your city and see what you can offer.