Avalanche9645

I know there are probably other threads on this but I figured I could ask again anyhow. I have been sober for 7 days now and it's the longest I've been sober for about 5 years now. I'm only 25 and I am so extremely bored its sick. I live with 2 other guys my age and all my friends are all a little on the 'crazy' side. I keep getting crap from them for not going out but I honestly don't remember how to behave around others sober outside the workplace. My roommates drink(theres a 12-pk in the fridge now)all my friends drink and I dont want to hang out(probably at a bar) while im sober. I dont really know what to do. What am I supposed to do. Can I hang out? I don't have any desire to drink anymore really, but it's been so long since i didn't drink i dont really know what else to do. I really don't like the AA scene (no offense) so i dont want to go to anymore meetings. Any other suggestions anyone?

coffeenut

Congrats on your 7 days!

Others will be around shortly to help you with your question. Welcome to SR!

dirtyjerz08

You probably wont like this, but I have found that the only way I can put together any significant time is by going to meetings. The trick is to find a meeting you like. You may have to try a few different ones. It's hard to find recovering people without going to meetings, but maybe some others here know some places. For what it's worth I'm 22, and I've had to abandon my old life to move on to a new one. I know it may not be an option for you to leave your friends, due to your living situation. That's my 2 cents on meeting people, and in the long run staying sober.

As far as finding ways to fill your time, try to think of what you used to love to do before drinking took over. Seek out those activities. For me one of those was writing, which is a great way for me to get out what's in my head and enjoy myself. Exercise is another good one, even just taking a walk on a pleasant night. If you like movies watch them. If you like reading, grab a book. I don't know what you like to do, but surely there is something. That part is up to you. In my experience the longer I have been sober the more of those things that have come back to me.

doorknob

Welcome, Avalanche.

There are plenty of sober people around here who either don't go to meetings or go to meetings sparingly. Here are a couple of threads that may be helpful:

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ing-steps.html

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...-recovery.html

DK

dirtyjerz08

Yep I am not trying to claim that meetings have a monopoly on recovery. Hope that wasn't taken out of context. Just sharing what has worked in my experience. I will always be a supporter of meetings, because they have improved my life tremendously, but I would be naive to say that they are the only thing that works. Whatever you decide to do I wish you the best of luck, and God bless.

doorknob

It's all good, Jerz. I go to some meetings and see they're value. I'd go to a lot more if they were secular, because I really like the social interaction and find that element helpful. But... I'm not spiritual and therefor don't fit very well. You're right, it is hard to hook up with other sober people without going to meetings.

CarolD

Welcome to SR....

This came from SR members....please see if you find something of interest

1. Read a book
2. Take a walk
3. Play a musical instrument
4. Knit
5. Clean your closets
6. Research your genealogy
7. Cook a gourmet dinner
8. Write an article for your local newspaper
9. Go take some pictures
10. Clean the mildew in your bathroom
11. Start writing that book you've been planning
12. Plan a garden
13. Plant a garden
14. Play with a pet
15. Read to a child
16. Visit someone in an old folks' home
17. Watch a news special on TV
18. Set up a family budget
19. Make a web site
20. Take up archery
21. Exercise
22. Go to an online recovery meeting
23. Surf the internet
24. Call your mom
25. Learn a foreign language
26. Write a poem
27. Play golf
28. Take a bubble bath
29. Draw
30. Teach a parakeet to whistle
31. Take a nap
32. Listen to music
33. Paint
34. Clean your desk
35. Start a stamp collection
36. Go window shopping
37. Browse in a book store
38. Go to an art gallery
39. Go for a drive
40. Paint a room
41. Watch the clouds go by
42. Play darts
43. Do target shooting
44. Do home repairs
45. Clean your garage
46. Sort your photographs
47. Make a scrapbook
48. Climb a tree
49. Plant a tree
50. Make marmalade
51. Make a list of things to do
52. Write a letter to the editor
53. Volunteer somewhere
54. Take a hike
55. Take a college class
56. Try yoga
57. Meditate
58. Get a massage
59. Make fruit smoothies
60. Bake cookies
61. Do a crossword puzzle
62. Go to the gym
63. Plant a color bowl
64. Sharpen your pruning tools
65. Change your engine oil
66. Sew
67. Groom your dog
68. Go see a play
69. Write a sonnet
70. Sort your recipes
71. Play solitaire
72. Go bird watching
73. Write a letter to a friend
74. Read a poetry book
75. Repot your houseplants
76. Go to a movie
77. Mow your lawn
78. Put up (or take down) your Christmas lights
79. Make pickles
80. Go jogging
81. Watch sitcoms
82. Plan menus for a diet
83. Do a jigsaw puzzle
84. Play chess
85. Write a country-western song
86. Watch a video
87. Go for a bike ride
88. Plant an herb garden
89. Start an online journal
90. Dye your hair
91. Go to a restaurant
92. Lift weights
93. Bake some bread
94. Learn a martial art
95. Polish the furniture
96. Make a flower arrangement
97. Read the newspaper
98. Start some seeds
99. Sort your magazines
100. Do some laundry.
111. Take a nature walk
112. Play with your kids
113. Volunteer at a homeless shelter
114. Volunteer at a school
115. Pick up garbage in a park
116. Tickle your kids
117. Play basketball
118. Volunteer at an animal shelter
119. Read to a child or pet
120. Sign up for obedience training with your dog
121. Take a walk and pick up litter you see on the way
122. Spend time at the library
123. Sort all your digital photos and make an album to print for holiday gifts to family.
124. Help your kid organize his closet.
125. Figure out the melody and chords to your current favorite tune on the piano.
126. Practice your holiday cookie recipes
127. Make crackers from scratch (that one didn't go so well).
128. Make tortillas from scratch (better).
129. Reread a book you haven't read for years.
130. Tango
131. Learn about someone else’s religion.
132. Reread one of your college textbooks.
133. Key out a wildflower.
134. Do your nails.
135. Do word puzzles.
136. Play a board game.
137. Burn CD’s of some of your favorite music for a friend.
138. Plant a bonsai.
139. Play Mad Libs.
140. Speak only in heroic couplets for an hour.
141. Read poetry online.
142. Ride a stationary bicycle.
143. Set up a domino topple.
144. Play backgammon.
145. Build a house of cards
146. Make an entry in Wikipedia.
147. Read a world almanac.
148. Publish a family newsletter.
149. Throw cards at a hat.
150. Go to bed.
__________________

In early sobriety...I did find a meeting full of other singles
we did all sorts of things together...outside of sitting in a meeting.
It worked great for me.....I wanted new friends who shared my
goals and new lifestyle.

Good to see a new member...
Congratulations on your sober time

pisac

Avalanche9645 you're not stuck dude! You have a great start to your recovery. Putting yourself in the position of being around friends that are drunk and having a good time would not be the smartest thing to do quite yet. I think it is still to early for that. Do you have any sober friends to hang with? It may not be easy but, go out and try something totally out of the ordinary. It's hard man, but everything will be ok. Hang in there and keep posting.

Avalanche9645

Thanks for all the responses. There are lots of things I like, or used to like to do i should say. I've done a lot of artwork in the past, and have done 1 piece since i stopped drinking. I used to skateboard everyday also, but once i quit drinking ive noticed that even though i feel so good in my head about my choice to stop, i really dont have much motivation to do anything but watch tv.
Everything im used to doing-skating,art,reading,writing-im used to doing after ive at least had a few beers. i think its probably normal to feel this way at first, but sometimes i just wanna say screw it and start drinking again. I tell myself that i wasnt always drunk out of my mind, i just need a few to 'get my head right.' But in reality i know that i was drunk as hell most of the time. ive already lost so much to drinking. i lost my fiance a year and a half ago, i nearly died in a car crash that left 2 big scars on my face a few years ago, ive had 2 duis, and have made a total jackass out of myself more times than i could ever remember. i KNOW that i have to stop now, but its really really scary, and a little crazy to think that i will never drink a beer again. i know that im just kinda rambling now but its nice just to get some of those thoughts out of my head. thanks again for the support guys.

doorknob

I'm dealing with that issue as well. Everything I did always started with a couple beers and a few hits of bud.

least

It will take some time to get into a routine or schedule that doesn't include alcohol, but take it slowly, one day at a time, and start new habits to replace the old destructive ones.

You can do this! One of the best things to help you stay sober is to help another drunk! Call someone who's also trying to stay sober and help each other. You can do it!

:ghug3