Lol@ bored being sober. I hadn’t thought about this in a while but I do remember feeling that. Tbh when I quit I didn’t have a plan or any idea about what recovering from an addiction meant. I did the just wing it approach assuming that all I had to do was not drink.
I soon learned that was just abstinence and sobriety means a whole lot more. In fact I see the not drinking part as minor compared to the building mental and emotional health. This, to me, is the sober journey and it can be the best ‘hobby’ you’ve ever had. ie, no more boredom.
It has been all about finding a rhythm to a healthier lifestyle. Spending more time walking and gardening. I quit in November 2017 so through the winter I did more creative cooking and changed to reading more. I started meditating and that’s really boring lol. But it shifts the mind to enjoying a slow down in the rapid thoughts.
After you’ve gotten a few months behind you and the dust starts to settle finding some volunteer work will help keep you busy and increase social interaction.
WALK every time you feel bored. If possible. Or some exercise/stretching. Take a gentle yoga class.
I haven’t watched tv since I quit and it’s given me more time to enjoy life
Stay in touch

Reading this, I think you remind us all that no matter how long our sobriety is, once we pick up that first drink - it quickly spirals out of control, and we are back to where we started.
Drinking led to some of the best nights of my life (as sad as that is), I could be wild, life of the party, partake in crazy adventures, but when I look back now, they were all short-lived - that invincible feeling, impulsiveness & false confidence doesn't last forever.
Having an addictive personality, I constantly needed the feeling of excitement & the constant highs.
Being sober has taught me to get on an even keel, find peace and get off that crazy train.
Now, I find joy and happiness in the simplest of things, and have learnt to take it one day at a time.
Thankyou for the reminder - you slipped, and are now back to being sober, good on you for trying again, and not giving up.

And I started volunteering at an Animal Sanctuary and that fills me up like nothing else, definitely have a look at what you're passionate about, and look at volunteering options, it gives you an amazing feeling helping others

I agree with finallyawakenow. I'm abstaining now mostly so I can get my license back. I have a 2015 DUI that just popped up and hit me now at the worst possible time and my license has been revoked. I have not had a hearing yet but the two informal hearing officers I went to speak to in person were just so cruel. I can't imagine that I'd ever be approved for a restricted permit by saying I've been in Smart Recovery for one year. Although, I do think it's possible to drink responsibly, I've done it in the past before abusing alcohol and I've had many sober years here and there over my life time too but I have found that there IS a difference between abstaining and being sober and/or living a healthy, balanced life. My current problem is that I'm fleeing an abusive 4-year marriage and I don't have insurance for counseling, no friends or family and I've asked humbly in a couple online groups for anyone willing to be a sponsor and got zero replies so I'm going it alone for now and I really don't feel like I have that mental balance I need to make this last. And I also know it probably won't be for just one year that I won't have a license, it will probably be two. I'm trying to hang on until I get to a reduced rate of counseling in three weeks but I've suffered from depression and chronic anxiety all of my life and I've tried every anti-depressant and anti-anxiety drug there is and none helped. I believe in mental illness because I have it. Alcohol at times gave me a healthy balance, but yes, most of the time though I used it excessively. I have not told anyone about what's been going on these last four years and it's eating me up. Flashbacks and sleepless are weighing me down and I know I can only hold it in for so long. Sorry, I did not intend to write this much. My thoughts are scattered all over the place but I really just wanted to say: I agree that abstinence and sobriety are definitely two different things. I read here occasionally and don't post much but I'm hanging in there for the moment, yes one day at a time.

Welcome orchid. Glad you were able to reach out and talk about what’s going on in your life.
I really feel for you:)

Hi FinallyAwakeNow, thanks for the kind words.

I tried to respond to you the other night and got side tracked (funny you mention TV) Since working from home for the last year and a half been watching a lot of YouTube videos.

Still going strong, no urges to drink so far and I really hope that this continues.
Staying positive and taking one step at a time. Will stay in touch for sure.
Thanks again.

Hello Shiney.
Good to know that you have/had similar thoughts/Feelings & experiences. I think anyone that doesn't say or feel this way is kidding them self. I would be lying if I said there were times I didn't enjoy it all after all, this has been going on since I was 15 years old. I just turned 65 last month, that's 50 years of this crap and quite honestly, I'm over it.
When the sickness, ill feelings and lack of interest in everything consume you I think it's time to stop and evaluate what it is you want for the rest of your life.
One only needs to look around them to see how really good they have it.

If a person has money or means enough to get high or drunk or both whenever they want then they have the means to stop and do something else.
Fortunately, I am still working and that gives me a great way to stay positive.

Stay in touch.....sorry for the rambling....Just feeling good about myself today and doing what I can to keep that ball rolling......Thanks
s

My last drink ,(this time ) was over 9 years ago. I was in a tailspin and dying daily. I found a small aa group and went every day for 5 years. I found out that sober and dry were totally different. I quit many times only to be sad, mad, and angry I couldn’t drink like others. But some shift in fate made me decide that I needed help.

See that’s the watershed moment when the booze hound asks for some help. See I was a self reliant , do it alone, don’t need anybody’s help type. That’s why I boozed so hard because it was my medication. I was a depressed and anxious filled all day long type and once 5 rolled around I was able to make it all go away. ...

If you want to be sober AND happy then things need to change from the inside. I learned that I was fallible. I had faults. I learned my body processes booze differently, I learned I’m an alcoholic and that’s ok.

Today I try to stay ahead of the booze by releasing the pressure before it builds up and booze is inevitable.

If nothing changes, nothing changes

1is2many

If nothing changes, nothing changes

Great Statement 1is2many! You're, right.

Found myself thinking over and over again what the hell am I doing. Made up my mind it's time for a change.
As you can imagine, after working from home for the last 18 months or so I have pounded on quite a bit of weight. Too close to the refrigerator combined with drive-thru liquor stores) has brought me to 255 pounds. So, I am also trying my hand at weight loss and to attempt at some low level walking and exercise.
I'd say that's enough change for now. Feeling good so far, time will tell. Haven't drank since Labor Day and really don't have any desire to do so!

TBH, I have gone as far as to look online for a local AA meeting to attend but haven't picked one yet. How does that work? Do you have any thing you can share? I was just wanting to know what to expect or how to act. Do you meet anyone that you know? What if you do?
Just curious.......Thanks 1is2 many....Stay in touch

Great hearing from you my friend. All you have to do is show up at the AA meeting. You don’t have to talk (share) if you don’t want to. Just listen until you feel ready. No pressure at all. They usually ask for a buck or two donation for the cost of the room where they meet, but no problem if you can’t afford it. Try it my friend, it changed my life. Good people there who have a pretty good idea of what you’re going through. Good luck and stay in touch!

In regard to online AA meetings, you just google AA online meetings and pick one - you can do international meetings all over the world. You can show your face or not, completely up to you, you can just listen, if they ask you to speak, you can just say that you just want to listen. (usually, they will ask the person to speak that is online and showing their face)

You can choose a profile pic to use, and can use whatever name you feel like.

I attend lots of online meetings where I just listen as that is what I feel more comfortable doing.

There is no pressure at all, it is great hearing other people's stories, as you will relate to a lot of them,

I used to worry that I would see someone I know, no issue, the meetings are completely confidential so there would be no acknowledgement unless you sent them a private message in the online chat.

I got sober through online meetings as was during lockdown, so for me, it is my safe space, I have been to face to face meetings as well, and like both of them, but online meetings are more convenient for me - especially as we are in lockdown again :)

(try some online meetings in Australia - there are some great ones that you will really enjoy)