JIreland

Hey everyone

I am having a bit of a problem having so much free time and not knowing what to do, which makes me think about drinking.

What did you do when you stopped drinking, or what do you do now to keep occupied?

I had 3 stages, first I owned my own online business and worked for myself at home and I would drink at the same time, then I was in the fire service and I wasn't drinking at all as I got up at roughly 5.30-6am to travel to another city then home after 8..my drink free time.
Stage 3 was back on drink after an accident and I lost my position, at home, no work, nothing to do at all so I started to drink both from depression and boredom.

I would really like to hear what other people did / do to combat just sitting around and thinking about going for a drink.

I go to AA every now and again, but not regularly.

I want to do normal things in life, these 3 stages have been since before I even left school (I am 25 now) - I used to socialise a lot but I was always drinking at the same time.

duane1

I find exercise to be essential for my sobriety. I also play guitar.

candi7

I go to a meeting EVERYDAY and if I'm having a bad day I go more than one time a day. I'm not working either, (when not looking for a job) it's cleaning house-and if really bored-scrub things that haven't been cleaned in a long time-windows-miniblinds-etc etc, reading/studying the big book, talking to my sponsor and aa friends on a regular basis, exercise, taking care of any tasks that are on my list to do, take care of my daughter's needs, cooking, spending time with my aa friends, enjoying nature... anything to keep me sane/sober and it all teaches me self-discipline..

Uninvited

When I was drinking I wasn't motivated to do anything at all except drink when I got home from work. When I first stopped drinking I started running/walking every single day. I eventually worked myself up to a 10k, and I'm now signed up for a half marathon.

I also went a little crazy and started eating out every single night for about 45 days. I ordered ice tea with dinner. I don't recommend this as I'm still paying off the bills, but it worked for me to keep me busy during a time of the night when I was usually starting to drink.

I decided to get involved in local politics, and I hope to be elected in the fall.

I started to volunteer with a great organization.

I fix some things in my house.

I read.

I started to write a book. Unfortunately, I'm still on the third paragraph. But those first three paragraphs are great!

Then I get the really crazy ideas that never occurred to me before. Like today I decided I should start making cheese and selling it. Not sure where that idea even came from. After a little internet research it appears that it's illegal to sell cheese you make at home, so that's off for now.

stevie88

Gym,Gym,Gym and Gym....If I'm not in the Gym I'm eating.....

mecanix

x-box , reading , playing the guitar , singing in a rock band , doing the housework , painting pictures , having a bath , going to bed early , watching films , doing all those things i was always to tired or drunk to do .

Bestwishes, M

JIreland

Is there a difference in the big book and the small blue book?

I have the small book, but I have never even seen the big book or how to get one, I hear people talking about it a lot...

hahaha that is an unusual idea But you seem like you are working hard at making a new life! Exactly what I want to do.

Gym, gym gym unfortunately costs a lot of money here (Probably everywhere) and I am having huge money problems right now - Debt collector today because I can't afford tax fees plus fine after being in hospital and out of work for a very long time

But exercise is free I have weights, a rowing machine, cross trainer and live beside a large river that I can walk along Unfortunately someone stole a very expensive bike I had for training when I left it locked up outside a shopping centre, they were very nice to leave the lock, which is still around the railings, they somehow opened it and were nice enough to lock it back again...some people

Huey

Walking, Flying RC Helicopters, Fishing, Reading, Cooking, Decorating, Sex, Voluntary work.

Kza

Sex, were you always too tired or too drunk to do it?

2granddaughters

You might try going more regularly .....

I asked my sponsor how often I should attend meetings each week, he replied "How many days did you drink each week?"

I took his advice and it's worked for over 23 yrs so far.

All the best.

Bob R

artsoul

I know the feeling - it's like being in limbo, between the old life where drinking was our entertainment and the new life that isn't quite there yet. I felt bored but unmotivated at the same time - nothing sounded good - so I spent a lot of time here and on the internet reading about alcoholism, watching TV, puttering around the house.

It just takes a while, I think. Now I don't have enough time to do everything I want, so it really does get better.

Dee74

I spent a lot of time doing the things I used to do when drinking - watching TV, computer games - and not really realising why I felt bored and unfulfilled.

Sober me's needs are different to drunk me's.

Think about what you're interested in - what are your hobbies, what would you like to do?

The world's your oyster - I realise none of us are millionaires, but the only real limit is our imagination

D

JIreland

My girlfriend got my 1 last christmas, but the tail hasn't worked...I would like to try it but need to see what is wrong.

Hmmm...My current girlfriend just never wants to for some reason, it is like a chore, so I never want to either because it is like asking her to do a favor....Not exactly what I want to feel.

sorry, just replied to the post about yours before I read this.
No, I never am, same answer as above really (That should be )

I find it very monotonous - It is the same people in the AA here and it is the same stories each time..I don't seem to get much out of it listening to the same thing and I don't see the point in telling the same people the same story of what I am going through and have gone through...

For example yesterday I went and there was just 7 or 8 people...

Right where I am at

Very true, I am nowhere near a millionaire, closer to a million in debt than having a million, but at least when I am off drink steady I will have a little more money to do things

least

What do I do when I'd normally be drinking?



Anything! And better too!

choublak

Honestly? Pick something, anything. Except drinking.

Try something new.

JIreland

Hoping for some general ideas that I can put on a list, something to look at and pick to do anytime I feel like I want to drink

choublak

Learn how to spin a pen in your hand.

Hopscotch

Go for walks in your neighborhood. Leave the house in a different direction each time.

JIreland

What :s

Unfortunately I live in the very city centre, I am surrounded by bars..I know this sounds really stupid but I have so much temptation, my main time of temptation is at night when I have nothing to do, going for a walk is going past a city of clubs and bars and it just makes me think about drinking - It normally ends up in me getting a drink from an off-license (A drink to take home).

I know this sounds so bad and most likely stupid to 99% of people.

I need to get a new bicycle Exercise and get away from the centre.

I am sure other people living in city centres must have experienced the same when trying to stop and having so many bars/pubs/clubs.
I live in a building in the centre and the closest off-license in directly below me 3 doors over.
The closest bar/pub is directly opposite me.

I know I sound very stupid for living here, but I don't want to change where I live because I can't control alcohol, a lot of other people live here and don't have the problem.
I want to beat my problem and just know that I am strong enough to live here.
Moving would be me admitting defeat in my own mind - This is where I want to be, why let alcohol take away my life in more ways than one.

katrinka

I did a lot of reading this summer. I could actually concentrate! I spend more time preparing and cooking healthy food, it's much easier to focus on your health when you're sober. I admit I get a little antsy in the evening sometimes but mostly I can't believe what I accomplish every day. I love the energy I have now!