Day 21

Heroin
1
I need some advice. I've been here before, and it's typically not that overwhelming feeling of hopelessness or depression that can drive me to use. It's the boredom. I can sit here and tell myself "just one more time, you can do this. No one's gonna know...." We all know how that story ends though, don't we? I've told myself that lie too damned many times.

I'm bored right now.

So here's my question: I know everyone has had to find new hobbies and whatnot to help keep them clean. What were some of them? I'm not interested in the most obvious ones, i.e., working out. I smoke two packs a day and there's more coffee in my veins than blood. Push ups are a one way ticket to the ER for me, and I'd rather have to tell people that I blew my heart out doing something awesome than, you know, trying to push myself off the floor. :P

Meetings, I know, are another obvious answer to the question. The one I'm going to tonight is another four hours away, my wife and kid are at work and school respectively, and damn it, I'm bored.

Someone talk to me! haha... okay. I'm done now.
And even with all this babbling, I still don't want to get high. I'm not going to--sincerely, no worries about that today.
2
Hey first off congratulations on 21 days!!!!!! It definitely gets easier day by day week by week. I have 9 months and 4 days clean myself. Meetings are a great tool, if you go to NA.ORG there is a meeting list and hopefully there are more meetings closer to your area. Getting a sponsor someone you can talk to is a great help but that's a personal choice don't rush it. But definitely get some numbers build a sober support network. These people will almost always answer if for nothing else just to talk to kill sometime. I personally enjoy working out even if it's just going for a walk or something simple it releases endorphin's and will help you feel better overall. I know a lot of other recovering addicts that got into writing in a journal, they say it helps to put your thought out on paper. I went out and bought a few remote control cars this helps me but it may not be for everyone. Video games and things like that worked in the beginning to take my mind off things but make sure they have nothing to do with you old life style. But try to get connected in NA it saved my life, the take suggestions and do a little bit of work. Don't look back 21 days is great! Good Luck!!
3
I started doing zigsaw puzzles.
4
hey Chris,

GOOD question, I tell people in recovery all the time, Stay BUSY. NA is a great suggestion as are jigsaw puzzles from Girl. HEY GIRL!! How's it going?

Volunteering... go feed the homeless over the holidays (and even after) it makes you feel extremely lucky to have what you have even if it isn't much. Some folks have next to nothing.

Reading, go to the library, collect "gently worn" clothes to donate. Find someplace that collects blankets, gloves, coats etc to give the homeless during the winter months.

Congrats by the way...keep it up you can succeed!!

granny
5
I'm at the point now where, when i have some free time, I ask "Will I feed my recovery or my ego (disease)?"

I read recovery literature, meditate, pick up an extra meeting, thank God I'm sober. etc (post here)

Ask yourself why you are bored .. your answer may surprise you, or scare you.

All the best.

Bob
6
Thanks guys. :)

It's been a few more days and I've been trying to find new ways to keep busy, and honestly, reconnecting with some things that I used to love to do before dope came into my life and robbed me of my enjoyment of those things.

I'm doing better now, especially with Christmas coming up and having a family to provide for. I'm fortunate.

I hope everyone else is doing well.