Been sober for 35 days... Now what?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Edmonton Alberta
Posts: 23
Been sober for 35 days... Now what?
So the good news is I am still sober after leaving treatment, I have a job. But I havent really done anything to fill in all that free time. Besides my job, I just come home and wonder, what do I do now? I am an alcoholic, before I went to detox then treatment. I was drinking from when I woke up, to when I went to bed. Often blacking out every day. I litterally had to have a bottle of something around 24 7, cause the withdrawals were severe.
Im am so releived to have a clear head, but what do I do with it? I stoped eating prossessed foods for a little more commitment. So it takes a bit longer to cook and stuff. But other then that I dont know what to do.
What do I do with all this free time after work?
Im am so releived to have a clear head, but what do I do with it? I stoped eating prossessed foods for a little more commitment. So it takes a bit longer to cook and stuff. But other then that I dont know what to do.
What do I do with all this free time after work?
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,372
Welcome EternalWinter 
I had that problem too - I had no idea how to live sober or fill my time...
Volunteering really helped me...it filled my time, helped me feel useful and helped others too
is that a possibility for you?
D
I had that problem too - I had no idea how to live sober or fill my time...
Volunteering really helped me...it filled my time, helped me feel useful and helped others too
is that a possibility for you?
D
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Edmonton Alberta
Posts: 23
They tought me a lot of things. But not much about keeping busy.
They did mention AA and I certanily am planning to go. easeir said then done... But I have been sober for over a week out of treatment with out AA. So im telling my self I dont need it.
They also tought me about irrational thinking and I know im being irrational. Im so confused as to why I know im being irrational. But still think the same way
They did mention AA and I certanily am planning to go. easeir said then done... But I have been sober for over a week out of treatment with out AA. So im telling my self I dont need it.
They also tought me about irrational thinking and I know im being irrational. Im so confused as to why I know im being irrational. But still think the same way
Re-Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Posts: 7,583
You remind me of how far down it took me too. I had to relearn how to think outside of when I could have the first or next drink. You can take the money you spent before and start saving it for a realky great first year sober gift to self. In the meantime you can learn a new language, jump out of airplanes, volunteer at the local foid kitchen or VA, drive the sick and elderly to church, learn to ski, dive, hang glide, take up flying with an airplane this time, hike, bike, swim, run, see a play, act in a play, read a great book, go back to school, teach, be a student, build some furniture, sculpt, paint, learn to play an instrument, learn to cook, learn programming, write, help out at an animal shelter, adopt a pet in need, redecorate your place, paint it, restore an antique, go to a movie, take a second job, build models, turn wood, learn to weld, take up pottery, astronomy, collecting, singing, grow a garden in pots, ride a horse, do a river float trip, camp, get an RV, get a four wheeler and go four wheeling, race dirt track cars, go to the beach, learn to surf.
I could go on but those should keep you busy for a week or two. The problem isn't that there is too little to do, but that there are so many choices it is hard to choose. You see, you are free now. Don't let it intimidate, just go for it, one at a time.
I could go on but those should keep you busy for a week or two. The problem isn't that there is too little to do, but that there are so many choices it is hard to choose. You see, you are free now. Don't let it intimidate, just go for it, one at a time.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 889
Now it's time to help others. The goal should be to do for others what has been done for you. Your payment will be a sense of pride, helpfullness, and no desire to drink.
We are at our best when we are of service.
We are at our best when we are of service.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Canada. About as far south as you can get
Posts: 4,768
Originally Posted by EternalWinter 
They tought me a lot of things. But not much about keeping busy.
They did mention AA and I certanily am planning to go. easeir said then done... But I have been sober for over a week out of treatment with out AA. So im telling my self I dont need it.
They also tought me about irrational thinking and I know im being irrational. Im so confused as to why I know im being irrational. But still think the same way
They did mention AA and I certanily am planning to go. easeir said then done... But I have been sober for over a week out of treatment with out AA. So im telling my self I dont need it.
They also tought me about irrational thinking and I know im being irrational. Im so confused as to why I know im being irrational. But still think the same way
All the best.
Bob
SR Fan
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 7,910
Welcome EternalWinter!
Congratulations on your time sober! I think we all feel a bit lost and bored at first and coming from all the activity in treatment, it probably feels like even more of a contrast.
Evenings were the hardest for me, too, so I spent a lot of time here in the first weeks. I added things over time as I felt like doing more and picked up things I'd enjoyed in the past. I also think it's great just to try some new things. It's definitely a learning process, though, so hang in there because it really does get better!
Congratulations on your time sober! I think we all feel a bit lost and bored at first and coming from all the activity in treatment, it probably feels like even more of a contrast.
Evenings were the hardest for me, too, so I spent a lot of time here in the first weeks. I added things over time as I felt like doing more and picked up things I'd enjoyed in the past. I also think it's great just to try some new things. It's definitely a learning process, though, so hang in there because it really does get better!
Powerless over Alcohol
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Trudging the Road to Happy Destiny!
Posts: 4,018
Well congrats on the beginning of a great journey.
I went a whole week many times without my AA program. And that always ended in utter failure. That is just me , but dont think cause you have been sober for 7 days fresh out of rehab that you cured. We are easy forgeters .
But anyway man oh man , what to do with all that time . Whatever you want and lots of things you have never done. Volunter somewhere, get active in a program whatever it may be. AA fills this alcoholic daily desire to do something . I dont have enough time in the day to do everything I could. And thats just fine now.
You can stay free, routing for you.
I went a whole week many times without my AA program. And that always ended in utter failure. That is just me , but dont think cause you have been sober for 7 days fresh out of rehab that you cured. We are easy forgeters .
But anyway man oh man , what to do with all that time . Whatever you want and lots of things you have never done. Volunter somewhere, get active in a program whatever it may be. AA fills this alcoholic daily desire to do something . I dont have enough time in the day to do everything I could. And thats just fine now.
You can stay free, routing for you.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Midwest
Posts: 553
Remind yourself of what you used to do when you were young, without the alcohol, and used to enjoy. Good place to start! Could be sports, the beach, really anything. Once you identify those things, try a couple and see what happens.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 57
For me it was about rediscovering who I am. While active in my addiction I lost all sense of who I was and what made me feel good, genuinely. I've been abstinent for nearly six months and feel like sometimes, damn, ok need to have more fun! And I will keep trying new things until I find what works. I was so identified with my defects of character that I didn't know who I was without them. They defined me.
I have also heard it said to spend as much time on recovery as you did in your disease. Needless to say I go to a lot of meetings
I have also heard it said to spend as much time on recovery as you did in your disease. Needless to say I go to a lot of meetings
Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Southeast US
Posts: 332
Itchy, I'm adding a few of those to my bucket list.
For now, I'm continuing some of the self-affirming activities started while I was still drinking: remaining active with local arts and singing in my church choir. These activities, plus a demanding job, keep me quite occupied.
For now, I'm continuing some of the self-affirming activities started while I was still drinking: remaining active with local arts and singing in my church choir. These activities, plus a demanding job, keep me quite occupied.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,180
I second exercise-gym,walking or a class.I've just started yoga-good for mind and body.
Volunteer,join a class,take up a hobby. If you prefer to stay home,read,cook, bake a cake,bread,decorate,spring clean,make something,do the garden. start small.
Volunteer,join a class,take up a hobby. If you prefer to stay home,read,cook, bake a cake,bread,decorate,spring clean,make something,do the garden. start small.
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