Activities to do instead of drinking or using

[Lady Bug]

Hi [mention]Red dog[/mention]

I notice you are new to the forums, so I would like to give you a big warm welcome
Congrats on stopping drinking a week ago! Netflix sounds like a great idea to keep busy, there are so many things to watch.
In terms of medication, that might be a question to ask your GP. Generally there are a few that can help suppress the pleasurable sensations of alcohol, but they differ for everybody.

Lady Bug

[tacocat]

Hi [mention]Red dog[/mention]

We haven't heard from you in a while, so I thought I would post a message to see how you're going?
I'll second the previous post about keeping busy with things like Netflix. I've been doing odd jobs around the house lately to keep my mind off things, which helps me feel like I did something useful with my day.

Hope you're well...

[Carnelian]

Hi [mention]Tat[/mention]

I enjoy reading comments too, and how you said at the beginning it is hard to add your own.
So thank you for sharing and breaking the ice.
I hope to hear more from you and from others about new activities to do!

[HelpfulBee]

Hi [mention]Carnelian[/mention] !

You're right, it's so hard at the beginning to come up with your own strategies and it's so nice to have a read of other peoples to get some ideas!

Are there any activities that you've found helpful as a way to distract yourself and avoid drinking? Or any that you'd like to try?

[Poetic_V]

I have a list of "positive coping strategies." They don't always work, especially if I don't consciously think of them. But, when I do think of them, here is what I do:

• Heat packs
  Warm/Hot Showers
  Have a nap
  Send an SMS to someone I care about, and who cares about me
  Listen to a podcast (I can highly recommend My Favourite Murder)
  Listen to music (upbeat/motivational/inspiration playlist - not Nirvana **whom I love, but I need to be uplifted in these times** )
  Watch a completely absorbing TV series (I love True Crime, Fantasy, Period Dramas etc)
  Bullet Journal - best creative and organisation activity ever!
  Pat my dogs
  Colouring/drawing
  Write poetry/fiction
  Research an interesting topic on the internet/fall down a wormhole on Reddit
  Read a book
  Have an iced long black whilst sitting in the park/outside (I am housebound so it's just outside atm)
  Forest Bathing (look that up, it's awesome - and I can't do it currently, but I love nature in general)
  Swimming (not currently, but I love it)
  The Beach (even if it is just to look)

Hope that helps someone else

V

[HelpfulBee]

I love this [mention]Poetic_V[/mention] !

Thanks so much for sharing such an extensive list! I might have to give some of these a go!

When do you use these strategies?

Do you schedule these activities to maintain a healthy headspace, or do you use these as strategies for when things are getting tricky?

I'd love to hear your insight on this!