Advice on how to combat loneliness, yes work, hobbies and family do help but at the end of the day.. is when it hits hard… any advice is appreciated.
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You ever see the movie City Slickers? Hopefully, because this analogy will make a lot more sense.
Mitch is having somewhat of a crisis in life, and when he’s on the cattle drive, Curly tells him the secret to life is “one thing.” But never tells him what that one thing is. Long story short, Mitch discovers that the “one thing” is different for everyone and he finds it.
You have to find what you need to be happy and drive you forward. It’s different for all of us. For me, it was getting out of a growingly toxic marriage, and starting my life over at 42. Coupled with that was dealing with long avoided emotional issues, a touch of PTSD, and learning to be generally happy with myself again. It was a painful process but I have come out a changed man and I can honestly say today I am happy.
Loneliness is a crushing feeling. I know. But it has different root causes for everyone. When you can identify those, you can begin to work at them. Stay with it! We’re here for you.
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Solid movie reference lol
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Trust in the process of what may be will be. So just let it be and eventually, you won't feel the loneliness 
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Nothing for me beats loneliness like time spent with another recovering alcoholic. I have a host of friends that understand me, when I say I’m lonely they know exactly what it means and what to do to help. It’s been one of the many miracles I’ve experienced in recovery.
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Yes that is a sweet little gem of a picture
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Make yourself busy and you don’t just sit idle to think, that gets you in trouble for sure. I read a lot so I pick up the big book and read it from beginning to end.
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Hey Steve: Addiction and isolation go hand in hand. When we put the substances down a "spiritual hole" is left, and we search for something else to fill it. Here in NYC, I'm close with my local Narcotics Anonymous fellowship. I had the BEST time over Thanksgiving. Do you ever make meetings? Thanks.
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Connect always
I really like hanging out with recovering addicts...it makes me feel more comfortable than being other places
Look man combating loneliness is no easy fix. For a long time I was lonely when surrounded by people. If you ever need someone to talk to just hit me up or any number of people on here will chop it up with you. Good luck 
silence in isolation. My anxiety also is debilitating . Any advice? , I tried hippie vitamins ashgwanda etc , how can you
re condition your mind after a life of "your unwanted til needed " what if no body does want me around regardless of what I contribute?
God will send u someone when it’s time..
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Yes Steve, the isolation is one of the hardest things to deal with in recovery. The best thing you can do is surround yourself with family and friends and fellow addicts who are willing to learn about you and your addiction and support you unconditionally support you and to keep yourself busy with work, hobbies and interests, and self-care. Beyond that, what has really helped me is to look at recovery as an opportunity to heal and become a better me, rather than as a sentence of isolation and loneliness. Still, you will have bouts of loneliness, depression,, anxiety, but try to understand that it is part of the process of healing and recovery and only temporary and that the best you is about to come.
Isolation isn't as big of a deal for us true introverts, especially if social anxiety was why we started drinking in the first place, but I know what you mean, I lost someone very dear to me recently due to my addiction, and the loss really hits hard in the evenings.
Reading has really helped me, now that I'm sober enough to enjoy it again, and it's a solitary activity anyway.
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I tend to be a bit of a hermit with a few really good, close friends. I’ve found some wonderful online communities of sober seekers and made some great connections there, especially in the This Naked Mind community.
I’ve also found that doing volunteer activities from time to time really helps on multiple levels, especially if you’re prone to depression. I’m retired and have health issues, so have limited energy, but find that spending time with other folks helping in some way not only relieves the loneliness but is very stimulating and energizing, too.
Hit a meeting. Love you.
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Go to meetings and be of service. That helped me tremendously. Anytime I felt lonely I went to a meeting. Often folks will go out for breakfast, lunch, coffee, or ice cream afterwards.
For me it was finding my Tribe. My sober circle is global. That way I have people to connect with pretty much any hour of the day. 
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Good advice