Help on staying sober?

Question

i just finished recovery...but it was an outpatient program and i drank all the way through because i was forced to be there. however, now that i am done, i am finally serious about getting better. for some reason i feel like i am missing out on things because i am not drinking and partying anymore. i know i could never control myself when i drank, so i should be happy to quit. but someone i'm not. how can i learn to love a new sober lifestyle and not feel like i am missing out on all the fun?

Answer 1

Yuck.  What a difficult, complex question.  You don't want to here what I have to say, but since you've just been to "recovery" you can get a taste of it.  You need to go to AA.  Just try it out.  the difference of you going on your own versus being forced to go will make all the difference.

I drink, and am the child of 2 alcoholics and the grandchild of at least 2 alcoholcs.  My father has been in AA for 15 years and it saved his life... I am more and more proud of him every day.  

Look, drinking is fun and i LOVE it, but it's not ofr everyone.  I promise you will find people in your life that will insure you will not "miss out" on the good times.  You have already admited you yourself you have a problem, please don't "hit bottom" before you do something about it and ruin your life.

One meeting... that's all I ask.

Good luck and e-mail me if you want to.

Answer 2

I had the same problem. and still do.

go to parties, but only ones that nobody is going force you to drink.

and if you have the urge to drink, leave and go see a movie.

and you could always suggest to your friends to go out to dinner for fun instead, at dinner you don't have to drink.

Don't worry about having fun. because then you won't have it, just go with the flow without drinking.

:]  

Answer 3

You can still go out and have fun with your friends, but not partake in binge drinking.  If you don't want to have ANY drinks, stick with water or club soda, or a soft drink.  If you want to maybe have one or two drinks for the evening rotate drinks with glasses of water.  You can still go out and have a good time, without getting wasted.  I used to go out all the time with my friends and be the DD--they were grateful for the safe ride home and were supportive of me choosing water over alcohol.  Remember, people who care about you and are good friends will respect your decision, and support you in trying to reach your goals.  Good luck!

Answer 4

utilize whatever was taught in your program, for example the 12 steps and find a local AA meeting in your area-having a sponsor and people to rely on really help. also make sure that you surround yourself with positive people who help you and who do not drink/do drugs. they will be your rocks to lean on when you want to drink, even tho you know you shouldn't. good luck, it's great that you want to change!

Answer 5

first, get a new sponser, second try to work the steps. also you really need to change  the way you think, quit associating with the people you used to drink with, this can be the hardest but if you are serious about sobriety then you need to do this.  Also look for different AA meetings to attend there are some that are especially for younger people.

Answer 6

If you attend AA meetings you'll not only learn how, but have support in making and living up to changes you make.

Recovery isn't a one-time event, it's an ongoing process.

Best wishes.

Answer 7

Well, why do you want to stay sober? I mean really -- Why? Give it some thought. Write down these reasons. Physically write them down on a piece of paper. When you're tempted to go out and drink, have a look at this piece of paper. If your reasons are good enough, it should help you make the right decision every time.

If you're having trouble coming up with good reasons, then maybe you aren't convinced you should stop. I can't give you the reasons, though. Only you can know that and have to come up with them for yourself.

Best of luck.

Answer 8

I believe that AA has social opportunities as well.  They would at least be able to give you ideas on social things to do that don't involve alcohol.

When a friend of mine gave up drinking he realized that most of friends were only friends becasue he drank with them, other then that they had nothing in common.

You may realize the same thing in shich case you need to work on building relationships based on something other then mutual love of alcohol