JustCallMeLiz

I have posted a few times and nothing has eventuated in regards to me changing my ways. I have been trying to establish whether alcohol or marijuana is my problem. I now think both go hand in hand and I need to be a grip on both. I saw my psychiatrist yesterday and he said I need to find a hobby to take place. I spend my evenings from 9pm having a smoke or two (more on weekends) and drink my beloved bourban. I can drink a 1 litre bottle in two days which seems a little much IMO. This is how my evenings are spent. I want to change but t need to try and find something to take its place. I have started doing going to the gym 3-4 days per week although have only done this 5 times in the last 10 days but I am trying to create a new habit. Does anyone know what I could replace these vices with?

grayghost1965

Not knowing you, I can only answer with what are you interested in ? Take that and run with it. The gym is a good start, as working out can be a great natural high.

Mizzuno

Do you like to paint? Draw? Sculpt? Take pictures? Knit? Write? Roller Derby?
Garden? Volunteer at an animal shelter? Swim? Kayak? Dirt Bike riding? Hike? Act? Karate? Choir? ....... Cooking Classes? .......Music? Hoola Hoop? Run? Dance? Scrap Book? Chess? Surf? ......

Thats all I got.

MarkTwain

I wish you well, but I've never known the "replace drinking with a good habit" approach to work. It's simply another way of attempting to control alcohol, and it doesn't really get at the real issue, which is: alcohol cannot be controlled.

To put it another way, using distractions to control drinking feeds into the losing battle of fighting alcohol.

Dee74

I think 'doing stuff' can help - but it generally needs to be more than that - it certainly was with me.

I needed to look at the ways I was addicted and what I was using alcohol and drugs for.

I needed to make changes to my life - to the way I relaxed, solved problems and to the ways I had fun and socialised.

I needed to build a strong support system that I used regularly, but especially when I wanted to get wasted.

It may sound like a lot of work but IMO it's no more time consuming than active addiction.

D

SnazzyDresser

Jigsaw puzzles have been a new thing I've taken up as I've quit drinking. I think it helps with patience and perseverance. Also it's fun seeing the picture come together. Once I get involved, any outside thoughts go right out the window. I'm doing a 1000-piece of a San Francisco cable car scene at night currently.

I also find reading books and walking help, but I did that before.

Lava256

You need to stop because you need to stop. Half a litre of bourbon every night (starting at 9pm) is much, tbh. I don't know anything about the marijuana, though. The 2 times i've smoked weed, I had an extreme reaction to it (thought I was having a heart attack and got really delusional) so I have never developed a taste for it. It seems these are both adversely affecting your life. Other than finding different past times, (because, tbh, what else would you do with your time after 9pm apart from sleep?), you need to decide to stop and have a more concrete plan. There are several resources on here that Dee constantly refers us to. Check them out. How old are you, may I ask?

Nonsensical

What did you do before you were getting drunk and stoned every night? I looked back at my younger days and the things that gave me joy then. Many of them still give me joy today.

2ndhandrose

In early recovery, I spent a lot of time on these boards. There is a gold mine of information available here.

I love this place and can't imagine where I would be without it.

Alan6154

As a fellow gym enthusiast here is my recommendation. Come up with a workout plan that fits you. There are tons of these online. 3, 4, and 5 day splits. Combo cardio / weight training (And NO, girls do not get bulky like guys. Getting bulky takes testosterone and women only have about 1/20th of the T that men have. Women just get stronger and toned. Girls getting bulky is an old wives tale.) or whatever works for Your goals.

Build a spreadsheet and keep a log. You've probably noticed others in the gym doing it with their little spiral notebooks.

"Plan the work then work the plan", If something isn't working tweak the plan. But seeing results on paper and tracking progress is mentally gratifying.

I believe that physical fitness / health is a huge part of recovery. BODY, MIND, SPIRIT right!!!