To drink or not to drink?

Question

I recently quit drinking (exactly 8 days ago, but who's counting?) I'm only 26, but felt that my drinking was occuring a little too frequent, but now I don't know what to do. I don't know what to replace drinking with. So I guess what I'm asking is does anyone have any sugestions on what to do for fun. (without alcohol or drugs)

Wow everyone has been so helpful, it's hard to pick a best answer.

Answer 1

Congratulations on realizing you may have a problem. Fun is created by the person not the alcohol. All the alcohol does is loosens the person up to relax and have fun. You can do it without the alcohol.

You may want to attend a few meetings of AA to find good ways to learn those social skills without the alcohol.

Fun things to do ........ popcorn and watching movie at home or in the theatre, minature golf, dancing lessons, bowling league...........etc.

I learned this trick from my Mother years ago when she had to stop social drinking due to an ulcer. If you go somewhere there is alcohol served, drink water with a green olive in it (like martini) or a coke with a cherry.

Answer 2

Try taking up a fun sport that will help lead your life down more positive paths. Try kyaking or hiking or rock climbing. You may find yourself having so much fun that you forget about wanting to drink and after the fun you'll be tired and ontent to just relax. Maybe find some friends who don't drink so the temptation wont be there. I'll bet they will have plenty of things to do that don't involve drinking that are fun. Good for you for taking care of yourself.

Answer 3

Why stop drinking completely? It is a fact that moderate drinking is actually good for the body and the blood. It's excess of ANYTHING that's harmful... even excess water does disaster's in the body.
Don't replace it, just control your urges, drink less, enjoy each drink more.

But, if you really wanna go that way, then physical activities are usually best, they keep your mind busy and keep you very healthy. And best of all, you get to meet and interact with new and more people. That's my opinion.

Answer 4

Ohmigod. I am going through the same thing. I noticed I was drinking like 6 days a week. I have the most addictive personality ever so I realized right away that this is a problem. I think I am going to start going back to things l like to do before like dancing...or maybe even some retail therapy. I am just as clueless as you are. Its so hard though because I dont want to change my whole lifestyle but it looks like thats what we're going to have to do. it sux

Answer 5

Congratulations...you are to be commended for "listening to your body, mind and spirit". Alcohol is bad for you. It's very destructive in many ways. I've never done drugs...(x breast cancer pt at age 38 oh, yeah I'm still in remission 16/17 yrs later) when you've done chemo you wouldn't dream of touching drugs as "entertainment" believe me. It doesn't make sense to me.
How about taking up a new sport? Starting a study of something new on a topic your curious about. Oh, I know how about looking into naturopathic rememdies for your health.
If you've given up alcohol...you may be interested to know you just did something major to protect your bones.."alcohol pulls calcium from your bones". alcohol can seriously damage the body. Alcohol can also make you allergic to other grains that can be healthy for you when concumed in their natural state.
You might consider doing a study of how poisonious sugar is to us in the American diet.
I'll get you started with giving you the name and author of a book I just quoted.
Get ready to be shocked and if you make even some changes, ready to feel better than you have EVER!!!!

Answer 6

Amber, I salute you...without a drink!

Drinking is wonderful if done in moderation, and with others who are decent, wise and kind.

Alcohol is a toxin (poison) if ingested in amounts our livers can't filter completely.

I suggest you not drink, except as a delightful touch to a romantic meal, or as a sacrament with a loved one.

To replace alcohol, I love fresh squeezed juices. They cost about the same, and are so filled with great life-giving nutrients.

If you're going to ever have children, please, don't drink at all, as the brains of fetal victims of mothers who drink, even a little, haven't nearly the folds so necessary to intellectual prowess and swift cognition.

Amber, bless you...you give me faith in womanity.

Answer 7

good for you for laying off the the alcohol, your liver thanks you. What to do for fun, go out just drink sodas instead of alcohol, there are movies, books, games, friends, long drives. Have no clue as to what is near you to go see. Just try not to replace it with cigarettes or drugs. These are equally as bad for you.

Answer 8

My ex gf had a problem drinking, not she moved back home with her parents at age 26. Do it for yourself, I'd say read books on your subject, do not hang out with people that can't respect you not drinking. that's the first key

Answer 9

Read, take hikes, go on a scavenger hunt with other non-drinkers, answer lots of questions on Y!A. Things will get easier as time goes by, you won't be thinking about alcohol as much.

Answer 10

You can invite your friends over and cook for them, you can go out and watch movies, plays, sporting events, etc...you can take up a physical activity like running, soccer, working out, you can clean your house, write poetry or try painting, or taking classes (going back to school) Good luck