What are some easy things you did when you felt like using? I’m taking medication that suppresses the high and curbs all craving. I’m only doing it out of sheer habit/not knowing what else to do instead of it.

I’m have been taking steps toward recovery. However I’m not ready to jump back into daily AA/NA meetings; the thought gives me anxiety. I need realistic actionable things I can do that won’t overwhelm me. Any suggestions? (No strenuous workouts, that’s not realistic for me atp)

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All of the “easy” things I do/did weren’t easy (or comfortable) to start with, and I learned pretty much all of them in AA.

There were some things I tried during my periods of white knuckle abstinence, but they were either too hard to maintain from a discipline perspective or I found a way for them not to work any longer (eg reading books about how to quit drinking or how to stop bad habits, eating, shopping). In a lot of cases, my “easy distraction” became my new addiction.

What I do now:
1) Pray - I ask my Higher Power to keep me sober in that moment.

2) Call a sober friend or my sponsor.

3) Listen to a recovery podcast.

4). Read some AA literature, or other recovery/healing literature.

5) Pause.

6) Journal.

7) Meditate.

8) Get outside and move my body.

9) Eat some sugar.

10) Do something nice for myself.

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I was not able to Find an easier softer way. I relapsed 3 times (each time after a year+ of sobriety) until I gave up and followed the suggestions of AA. Who knows, I might relapse again but I have found more mental peace with AA than I ever had before.

However, I still occasionally become restless, irritable, and discontent. At those times I call other alcoholics or find a way to be of service to someone else, or if all else fails exercise is a temporary solution.

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I think the discomfort with AA and/or exercise is what makes it eventually capable of replacing your addiction. If it were easy to do these things, they wouldn't become good substitutes for your addiction, but because they challenge you in a different direction, they end up being powerful enough to help you overcome. I get that strenuous workouts may not be the first step, but maybe really long walks could be a good way to start. Walking clears the mind and heals the body. It's where I began my sobriety journey

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Don’t announce you’re a newcomer. Listen to comments in a meeting, and then get a number or two from people who give off vibes you like, and take it from there.

Honestly OP for me it was running or going to a meeting if that was an option. I got really into running which has helped me manage my stress and anxiety and is a healthy coping skill. Sometimes if I am really desperate I will have an emergency session with my therapist.

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You need to replace the substance with healthier activities.....period.

There is no easier way to overcome an addiction. Just like there is no easy way to build a happy life.
You have to put work into your relationships, your health, your emotional well-being, and your spirituality.

Oh, ok.

Sorry I was cryptic when i asked for suggestions of healthier activities to replace the substance with.

I appreciate you providing examples of tangible healthy activities.

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