When I joined AA, I joined a weight class. It was great to have time with other people where my focus was not booze centred and they did not know about my addiction (and still dont). I am 16 lbs lighter :)))

I have learnt how to eat properly and, more importantly, I get to eat chocolate every day :) I also get to cook which helps make good use of my time :)

Welcome Kris!

It's sounds like you are doing great. I understand what you mean about trading addictions. I've gained a little weight since quitting booze. When I drank I ate like a bird. Before I started my drinking career, I worked out and jogged all of the time. I guess you would say I traded my exercise regimen for a lonely polluted life with alcohol. I never dreamed I would become addicted to the drink. I didn't even start drinking until I was 25. It progressed into lack of sanity and control. I'm going to begin working out again starting Jan 1, 09. If that's switching addictions, I welcome it! I meditate a lot. Stay in prayer with my HP, continue to see my pdoc & tdoc.., attend AA . So far, these are the things which help with my impulsive behavior and help me remain sober. Congrats on 10 mos!

Have you worked the steps or at least through step five? Do you have a higher powere that is really working in your life? If not I would say wait on the no smoking thing. I would suggest being well grounded oin the steps will help you with not smoking and if you're not grounded in the steps no smoking may lead to drinking.
When it's time to stop smoking buy a book called "The Easy Way To Stop Smoking" by Alan Carr. Read it slowly and review often as it suggests and don't stop till after you've read it. Good Luck

have you started the steps yet? and if so where at in the steps are you?

I have noticed that the longer I stay sober, those other issues start getting better especially food. You can work the 12 steps on any of those issues and it will work.

There are such things as healthy obessessions and compulsions as substitutes such as:

meditation
prayer
exercise
music
reading
learning a new language
opera junky
cleaning
hobbies such as astronomy, scrap book making, pottery, etc...
lots of clubs to join without alcohol or drugs

I found it very hard to smoke under water and I love water sports, especially swimming. I not only didn't gain an ounze, I have tone. Yep, and I joined the choir and picked up learning the keyboard. You can never learn enough about it, or practice enough. So far no amount of it is harmful to my health. I came to know the Lord giving up cigarettes, not the booze. You can pray like you never thought you could before with those heeby jeeby jimmy gimme shakes from nicotine withdrawal.

First things First: You have acomplished much, It;s true our other addictions hold on with a vengence.It's always been like that.

I think that the very nature of addiction is gluttony, everything to the extreme no matter what it is. It's a matter of teaching yourself a discipline of moderation. I'm not sayin I do that, but....just my thoughts. :)

I know that alcohol is my "thing" that I can never have again because I won't stop. You can also be addicted to working out or eating healthy as well..it's training your mind to use moderation that's the really hard part. I've been reading a lot lately, I don't see how that could cause problems. :)

Congrats on your 10 months and 1 1/2 months too, awesome job. One thing at a time, don't try to stop everything at once, you're doin great! :)

It has been said that one doesn't get over an addiction.
One replaces one behavior with another.
Hopefully, a healthy one(s).

Alcoholics Anonymous (the organisation not it's members) do not make any claim about the 'addictive personality' in any of it's literature.

The addictive personality idea comes from places where they can make money from those of you suckers enough to believe it. Isn't it in their best interests to ensure that you continue to see yourselves as sick rather than healthy?? Think about it!

I think I agree with Serenity on this- don't let the world of pyschobabble convince you that you have an addictive personality.

I guess we do need something to occupy our time though- that something can either be destructive or constructive. Pick a constructive addiction. Easy for me to say! LOL

Stay in today.

Don't worry about what might happen in some tomorrow. You have stopped alcohol and pot. You will be able to handle whatever happens, IF it happens, WHEN it happens.

You will intuitively know how to handle situation which used to baffle you. Trust your Greater Power and continue to clean house.

OK, I need some offers here! I have a small prescription pill addiction plus a major alcoholism thing which I am happy to trade for .... let me see now - ah what the hell - make me an offer my two for your .... any offers??




I'm KIDDING for f**k sake!!

I will be 11 weeks non smoking Thurs 1 Jan 2009. I waited until I was over a year sober, before deciding to quit smoking. I used the same tools that have kept me sober to stop smoking. Also with the help of patches I must not forget to mention the patches. But you much realise that the patches cannot work by their selves you have to put the effort in and be determined. If your mentally ready to stop go for it. If not wait until you are, remember your not in a race. Take small steps and you will get there sober and non smoking.

Welcome to DS.

I am in total agreement with Crusty. What an excellent way to reply to Kristivt question. Projection can create a whirlwind of havoc, staying in just today helps us handle life on life's terms.