I went through outpatient treatment and was taught coping skills but learning them and putting them into practice are two different things.

The 12 steps are the key to help you cope. My AA sponsor had a similar path as I did. We both worked construction jobs and we were both drug addicts as well as alcoholics He guided me through the 12 steps which helped me deal with some issues that had been bothering me for a long time. I told him things that I would never tell my closest family and friends and he was able to identify with each and every one of my issues.

Here is an explanation of the 12 steps from someone who has written books about them:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIq87qCZppM&t=149s

God Bless

I like doing little things. Cleaning a closet, fixing a broken chair, washing my truck (or my wife’s), organizing a bookshelf. Reminds me that it’s all about gentle steps. And these grow into bigger things. Last month I started on our bedroom closets while my wife was away and ended up painting the whole room and changed the energy. That lead to feeling better about pretty much everything. When we do things that flow instead of resist we are creating. That’s healing.

I discovered meditation about two weeks after my last drink, It helps me refocus on small positive efforts that eventually start adding up. I am not a very good writer to I hope that made sense.

I like running, yoga, guided meditation videos on YouTube ( because I cannot meditate on my own). Lol

I also read the big book and some daily devotional books as well.

For me I have found fitness to be a huge part of my program. I train 4-5 a day (on top of work, kids,etc). It’s a healthy release. I’ve lost about 45-50 pounds since I got sober almost 4 years ago, and it’s worked wonders for me.

As you know I go days without drinking and then I drink and waste a couple of days(I drank most days last year). Life goes by fast and I wasted 10 years drinking. I will not get those years back. I am between jobs and having a hard time getting a job, but on most days I go to a shelter and walk dogs. That keeps me sober, exercise is my biggest winner. I almost have woken up since I joined this group. It helps knowing we are not alone and everyone is so helpful and ALWAYS there.

Working out.

My Garden is going to help me move forward.... and good on ya' NoMo for helping yourself by making doggies' days! Creature power is an amazing therapy, for both human and critter. There's a magic for me in helping plants grow and thrive: many plants will struggle and die w/o the TLC... I know I'm not properly in my skin if I am not tending to them.

Thank you all so much for sharing! I’ve been really trying to readjust my life in a better direction. I’ve been considering a lot of those ideas. It’s nice to hear they work for people. I’m actually going to start doing puzzles again. Small change but I forgot how much I love them. It’s easy when you’re wasted to forget those things about yourself. But I’m staying positive and replace the bad habits with good. But in baby steps lol