I've had to completely change my playmates and playground. Started drinking at the age of 13, so EVERYTHING & EVERYONE revolved around drinking.

I wasn't much of a bar gal, preferred to drink at home or at friends so I didn't have to drive (although I did my share of bar hopping and driving!). For me, going OUT for lunch was the excuse for drinking!


Things that help keep me sober:

1) My HP, which I call God
2) AA meetings, AA meetings, AA meetings
3) My sponsor
4) Prayer
5) Meditation
6) Asking for help
7) Listening
8) Sharing
9) Becoming and staying 'teachable'
10) AA's Steps 1-12
11) Keeping the plug in the jug.........

Just to name a few........

When I first stopped drinking, I kept thinking "how am I going to find fun in ANY activity that I do?!"  It just didn't seem possible.  For about 2 months I was bored and restless, but that feeling started to go away shorly after.  Some of the things that I never did sober, finally were becoming pleasurable.  It's such a different feeling.

For me, it was was easier to spend the first weeks of sobriety giving up most of the old things I did, and reflecting.  Then, when I came out with a clear mind, was able to work myself back into the "real world"  : ) and figure out things that are safe and are not safe...which I'm still doing!

Some of the things that people recommend doing such as going to movies, picking up a hobby, etc, seem so boring at first.  But once again, with a clear mind, I started to find the fun in them!  Hope that helps!

Doll wrote:

Things that help keep me sober:

1) My HP, which I call God
2) AA meetings, AA meetings, AA meetings
3) My sponsor
4) Prayer
5) Meditation
6) Asking for help
7) Listening
8) Sharing
9) Becoming and staying 'teachable'
10) AA's Steps 1-12
11) Keeping the plug in the jug.........

Just to name a few........

---

DITTO

Hey all,

This is a week where it all counts for me. I am in Mexico at the moment, on vacation. This is an all-inclusive place, complete with a fully stocked bar in the room, fridge full of beer, all brand name liquors and wines. Hmmmm, last time I did this (last March) I didn't do things right and got @#$%faced!!! So, I'm sure you're wondering, why does this guy subject himself to such torture. Alll I can tell you is that I am having a ball, my wife drinks a small amount per day, we do all kinds of fun stuff and enjoy the sun. This time, I am following my recovery program though. Although there are no meetings, I am using the Internet, Skype to call my peeps and keeping recovery alive in my head, all the time. I listen to Joe and Charlie on my iPod as well. For me, it is all about keeping 100% honest with myself, sticking with a routine that works for me and taking nothing for granted. I was a bit nervous about going south llike this but I wasn't gonna let Dean enjoy the warm weather alone,LOL Not looking forward to returning to the 30 below crap at home but I can handle it as long as I stay sober one day at a time.

scott

For me, going out to lunch was an excuse to carry on drinking right through the day. So, I didn't go out to lunch for almost a year until I felt comfortable with it.

If I didn't have AA in my life then I would drink again. I need the meetings and hearing other people's ES&H. I need my sponsor and to be actively working the steps. I need to involve myself in AA. I need to remind myself on a daily basis that I am an alcoholic and that I can never safely drink again.

I needed to completely change my life and my thinking to get sober and to stay sober. But, it's so worth it. I didn't used to have a life when I was drinking, it was just an existence. Now, I have a good life and it's filled with good people.

Take care,

Carol