im tryin out sobriety, anybody have any suggestions on how to pass time when i would usually be at the bar?

Question

i went to an aa meeting tonight, it was alright, the people in there just kinda scare me

Answer 1

Go to the gym instead of going to the bar. Read a book instead of picking up the drink. Call someone you love instead of buying a bottle. Watch movies that you've never seen. Go out on dates (with your partner or anyone). Anything that gets you out of the house or gets your doing things that you don't usually do will help. Talking to people, spending time with people you love will always help.

Answer 2

Hey Congratulations! What you have now is time on your hands instead of not enough time. Great job! Pick up a hobby at the local community education. Maybe an exercise class, or something of interest. A parenting class, anger management, stress management, healhty diet class, there are so many different types offered and they are free. To attend doesn't mean you need help, but you will learn something. And if the court is invovled in your life ( the certificates you get will be a plus)

Those at the AA meeting are not scary people, they are like you and I, and seeking the support and assistance just as everyone else is. Without that the road is a tough one. Your life and relationships will be so much better and more enriched with this new "trying out sobriety" I'm proud of you, for making this step and this statement. That is the toughest step of all. You'll do well. :) "You'll never recapture time that is past, but your future will be so much better because you now can plan your future better.

Answer 3

Find another hang out spot, or put something else in your hands. Coffee cup with water or tea or maybe coffee in the coffee cup?
If you like the library most libraries one can bring in there lap top and work in there when you usually at the bar.
It takes some work and some time. I grew up with alcoholics and I have seen how hard it is, though I do not use so I can not say I know how it feels. I have seen first hand it is very hard.
Now is the time to look at possible hobbies. What do you like to do? What brings you joy?

I am one who wishes alcohol would be treated as a drug it is one so why not treat it as one? It is a very harmful drug and I feel there is not enough support out there for people trying to kick the habit.
Some people will say go to church, what if church is not a place one likes to be?
When you feel like you need the drink or the socialites at the bar get on the computer and say HELP. Someone out here will step in and hopefully make things better...

Good luck - you went to a AA meeting so you are serious!

Answer 4

At my first AA meeting I hated the people. They didn't have BO like I did, they had smiles on their faces, they weren't bumming cigarettes, and worst of all, they claimed to be alcoholics! I was outraged that so many people would conspire against me. A cruel and unnecessary joke. I kept going. Someone gave a big book. Another cruel joke. Surely those stories in the book could not be true; if they were, those folks would have included their last names.

I kept going and noticing how different from me they were. Several were quite old, others young. It was mostly men. The one womas was in her 70s. No one talked about drugs. No one talked about losing their home or cars or spouses or jobs.

I kept going and one day someone said something that was similiar to me and I started paying attention. Then all of a sudden I noticed a lot of similarites. The old stayed old, the young stayed young, etc. I realized I had been hearing about lost houses and cars but because I'd been listing the differences I didn't have space in my head to listen.

That was 22 years ago. Still going. Still listening. Substituting activities to keep from going to the bar is white-knuckle sobriety and will keep you miserable. Nowadays I have a lot of hobbies and interests, but I had to get emotional sobriety before I could act like a grownup. May the Great Creator shine on your heart...

Answer 5

My friend has 19.5 years sober....seems like for her it's about the AA meetings...but really listen to your meeting leaders advice/rules... Honor your sobriety & take it as if it's a game of life or death.

AA meeting may make you feel awkward but then again it's made everyone in there feel the same way. Also, you might want to check out a couple of meetings at various locations and times...I know that plays a factor for alot of people. Also, the more you seclud yourself the more you'll want to drink. Surround yourself with others that understand where you're coming from...you may even want to check out an Al Anon meeting....

Answer 6

Everybody will scare you, when you are becoming sober.

Go to the meetings.

Otherwise, there is plenty you can do.

One thing I enjoy is exploring rivers by canoe and kayak. I also spelunk.

Monday night Scrabble at the Mickey D's at Overton Square, Memphis is a tradition. Meet new friends in a clean & sober but fun atmosphere!

Sobriety does not have to be always frightening and knuckle-clenching. Give it a chance! Then try again, and again!

Answer 7

AA consists of 2 kinds of people -- those who want to be sober and have been and those who are there because it is a court or probation stipulation (they go outside and drink on breaks).

The best thing to do is go, listen to people, try to talk to the long-timers and get a sponsor. In my area in NJ they actually have "bars" for AA where people meet & dance or play pool and socialize -- just no alcohol.

AA is the best bet, but there are other sources of support -- call a local hot line to get a list of resources.

Good Luck

Answer 8

LMFAO. The people in AA scare you, I know the feeling. You could try playing cards I don't know if that's illegal or not in a bar. You can chew gum, eat lots of peanuts. There's tvs and a dartboard right? What bar doesn't have those?! Check that. What to do with time when you would USUALLY be AT the bar...mmmm...thinking. Get a hobby.

Answer 9

AA was great at getting me sober. After awhile I was doing nothing but AA on weekends to avoid the bars. I met some people I could relate to and stuck it out for as long as it took for me to clear my head (a few months). Eventually, some of those AA nuts got a little too "God" loopy for me, so I explored Nichiren Buddhism to try and understand the true nature of my desire to numb myself. This cured me of alcoholism and AAholism. If one more AA person preempted a sentence with "By the grace of God..." I felt like I was gonna whack them with an olive loaf. Good luck.

Answer 10

My good friend is now 6 months sober. I don't know about you, but he went to a doctor to find that underlying problem that caused the drinking (although, I'm sure there may be none). He was given a prescription to help him through the first bit of time. He also took up running and football. he looks so much healthier in his face, and now has a kick *** body!! Very good luck to you... and hell, if nothing else, keep surfing the web. just stay busy.