Oct 24, 2006

Sober but Bored!

So, it’s Friday night. (Well, not as I write this, but it will be soon enough – and let’s face it – any time can feel like we’re missing out) You’re sure the rest of the world is getting ready for the party of a lifetime.

Just left rehab 4 days ago, and all the counselors said the same thing: get away from the same old people, places and things. “Don’t go out to the bar thinking you’ll just sit and have a soda!” Right. So, I’ll call Joe, we’ll rent a movie. Oh wait, Joe always had a bag of weed on him. Well I’ll just tell him I’m straight now. (Can you hear your counselor’s input on that one?) Yup, probably not such a hot idea. Brick walls seem to pop up at each idea, and taking a fizzy bubble bath just doesn’t seem like a great idea at the moment.
This may just be the time to pick up the phone and call someone different – maybe someone clean and sober that you met at treatment, or someone from your support group like AA or NA. Hey – if you’re reading this, you’ve found one thing to do that’s better than drinking or drugging – and there are plenty of other places online to read and post about all the feelings and other stuff that goes along with getting sober.
Here’s just a few things that you can do to distract yourself if it gets to be too much:
  • Call a SOBER friend
  • Eat something sweet (seriously – alcohol is a sugar – this will help calm cravings!)
  • Get online and post your frustrations in a sober forum or chat room
  • Clean the bathroom ‘till it shines
  • Go to an AA or NA meeting & go out for coffee or ice cream after
  • Write yourself a list of 3 reasons you want to be sober
  • Make a list of things you always wanted to do but never had time
  • Find somewhere you would like to volunteer your time (use Yellow Pages for ideas)
  • Read if it relaxes you