Thursday Check-in - How to stay sober on the weekend

[Bamboo [facilitator]]

Hi everyone,

It's Thursday and we are already almost at the end of the week. We've created this new topic to focus on how we can prepare ourselves for the weekend.

Some tips on staying sober and not be lured into temptation include the following -

Plan your Friday night. Organise going to the gym, have a family dinner, play some board games or watch a movie. Find a distraction or an alternative hobby that you enjoy.

Choose your friends wisely. Our environment and the people we hang around play a huge part and more often than not can influence our decisions. Spend time with people who support your journey through recovery.

Focus on your why. Remember the reasons why you made the decision to sober up. It could be due to financial, relationship or health reasons. Maybe you are tired of waking up hungover and feeling stressed that the weekend has been wasted. Perhaps you're tired of fighting with your partner or you want to be a better role model for your kids. Whatever it is, remember why you got started and take it one day at a time.

We would love to hear your story on how you prepare yourself for staying sober on the weekend. Let us know what works for you and how you are going

[Lucylouie]

This is my first weekend sober coming up, I could do with the support, I chosen to work Friday night, Saturday im going to an art show and shouting myself lunch,Sunday I'm taking my dog on a new walking track to take photos. I don't know how I'll go but those are my plans.

[Bamboo [facilitator]]

Hey [mention]Lucylouie[/mention] welcome to the forum and thank you for sharing with us

Congratulations on taking that first step in planning to go sober for the weekend. We are absolutely here to support you.

It sounds like you've got some things in place already to keep busy which is great. An art show, lunch and taking your dog for a walk sounds perfect.

You may also find hands-on activities will help in terms of staying focused or distracted, in particular cooking, doing some art, exercise, building something or watching some favourite movies.

What are some of your hobbies?

[Bamboo [facilitator]]

Hi everyone just doing our weekly Thursday check-in

How are you going? Have you been effected by the new six week lock down?

It's definitely thrown a spanner in the works for many people as we all had started to slowly go back to venturing outside our homes.

Will this help or hinder staying sober on the weekend?

Would love to hear from you and find out what strategies you are using to get through your journey of recovery.

[Rachestelle]

I NEED HELP N I DONT NO WHAT TO.DO

[SnowGlobe88]

Hi Rachestelle,

Welcome to the forum. I'm one of the moderators SnowGlobe88.

Please let us know if their is any specific help you need. It sounds like you're having a hard time at the moment and we want you to get the right assistance.

I encourage you to have a look around the forum because their is great content and friendly people supporting each other.

Take care
Moderator
SnowGlobe88

[Bamboo [facilitator]]

Hi everyone Thursday has come around fast, hope you are going well.

How has your week been and what have you been up to?

Would love to hear how you're preparing for the lead up to the weekend and what your plans are for staying sober.

Let us know what tips you have

[Bamboo [facilitator]]

Hi [mention]Rachestelle[/mention] welcome to the community and thanks for reaching out to us. Just checking to see how you are going?

[Bamboo [facilitator]]

Hi everyone Thursday has come around real quick again

How has your week been? What have you got planned for the weekend?

Here are some ideas for things to do on the weekend to keep track with staying sober:

- Plan out your weekend with some fun hobbies and activities
- Spend time with your pets and walk your dog
- Cook up one of your favourite dishes
- Have a movie marathon
- Pass the time with a book you've been wanting to read
- Do some gardening or build something, get hands on
- Create some music or do some art
- Do some journaling, blogging or podcasting
- Check in with family members and friends that are supporting you on your recovery

What are some fun things you'll be doing?

[Bamboo [facilitator]]

Hi there it's our weekly Thursday check-in.

With the current world events it's easy to feel overwhelmed, frustrated, angry, sad, a range of mixed emotions.

With this in mind, today our focus is on Gratitude. Gratitude allows us to appreciate the things we do have, rather than the things that we don't. It can help us to re-centre and ground ourselves perhaps when our thoughts and emotions are all over the place.

I'm grateful for this beautiful country that we live in, having a roof over my head, my loved ones and pets, music and good food.

What are some things you a grateful for today?

[Bamboo [facilitator]]

Hi everyone it's Thursday and the weekend is just around the corner.

Checking in with you to see what plans you have in place to keep busy over the weekend?

Has it been a challenging time for you to stay sober? What's helping you get through it?

Let us know what's been working for you and share your strategies with our community

[Bamboo [facilitator]]

Hi everyone another week almost over, time goes by too quickly!

A warm welcome to our new members, this is where we check-in every Thursday and discuss what our plans or strategies are to help us get through the weekend and stay sober.

Let us know where things are at for you and how you've been tracking. Are you happy with your progress? What's working for you or what could you do differently?

If perhaps you may have recently struggled from a relapse, you may find the information in this blog helpful and steps to move forward. See here.

Hope to hear from you.

[Katr]

Hello Bamboo!
I’m not sure if I can reply here..

I just joined your community for the first time yesterday, and so far, I’m learning so many things regards alcohol & drug use (and how to plan the future).
I’ve been struggling with other mental illness for a long time, and with the substance dependency, I feel so difficult coping with them! I’m still not confident about if I can cut down the use, but I hope I can get sober one day.

I’m looking forward to learn more from this community. Thanks

[Bamboo [facilitator]]

Hi [mention]Katr[/mention] welcome to the forum

Thanks so much for sharing your story.

Our forum is a great way to connect with others to discuss your journey of recovery and for sharing strategies.

I'm sorry to hear that you've been struggling for quite some time, it's great that you're reaching out it takes a lot of courage.

I'm wondering if you currently have any supports in place? How have you been looking after yourself?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

[Katr]

Thanks for your reply, Bamboo.
I'm currently managing my habit of substance use by cutting down the amount. Since I joined this community, I became more mindful about substance use. Especially, the "self-help modules" helped me understand more about myself. I'm also trying to find some positive skills to combat my triggers on substance use.

I'm considering seeking supports from my GP or a social worker etc. but I'm still not confident enough to tell about my story Telling someone about my personal problem requires a lot of courage... but I'm still thinking whether I should see them or not.