Why does the drive home from work lead me to the store for beer, almost every single night. When I skip it, I feel empty most of the time. I feel bored or that I am missing out. I have so much dependency on the drink that I “think” gets me through the chaos of the single mom life. I need better and more productive ways to relax and be able to enjoy life sober. How does everyone else get through their nights?
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I stay in the gym! I’ve made a list of my WHYs. And I’ve made another list of the things I didn’t like about drinking and using. The good list always wins! I also have my sponsor to reach out to!
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I keep seeing people post about a sponsor, how do I go about getting one?
I’m going through the detachment of alcohol right now. Drinking NA beers has helped to start but I’ve made a list of thing that I’ve been wanting to do for years and haven’t. This includes baking something in particular (rather learning), playing piano, gym, painting… etc. instead of going for that drink, I do one of these and plan for it. For me, if it’s not planned, it’s easier for me to grab that beer and start drinking. when I need a little motivation I watch YouTube videos on how to love myself, it’s helped. I recently watched Stutz on Netflix and I was able to relate a lot to it, it was nice.
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Yes I’ve made lists of items I’d like to pick back up doing. Baking is actually one of mine as well! I’ll have to check that out on Netflix tonight. I appreciate you sharing! 
I cant speak on anyone else’s experience, but at my home group the people offering to sponsor raise their hand and you go from there. The first meetings w my sponsor were just to feel each other out and get to know each other to see if we were a good fit 
I am thinking about attending a virtual meeting… Trying to find a good fit.
You can’t beat an in person meeting… the energy is different and it’s easier to approach someone after. They have women only meetings if that will make you more comfortable…. I know it’s not easy but once you get a couple of meetings under your belt you should be more at ease
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Gonna sound really
corny.....but...
Take a different route home tonight.
Do something different after dinner. Take the kids for a
walk. Anywhere. Just chat. Don't stare
at the phone.
No re runs on TV! Its boring and you know it. Watch a Nat Geo documentary and just enjoy the cinematography and music.
Flip the F-ing phone over and let
it charge overnight in a different room bu 730pm. You can still hear it ring if you need.
Bet this jump starts you to better evening!
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I recommend an in-person meeting. Any reason why you’re currently more inclined to do virtual meetings over showing up in person?
I am a single mom with two young children: and don’t get home from work until later in the evening.
Yeah I get it, that’s tough. Try to make it there whenever you can to let it be known that you’re looking for a sponsor
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I feel the same way! Just with opiates not alcohol
The burb I live in is known for the amount of bars and I have been to all of them many many times. Luckily there are almost as many AA meetings here. So I spend much of my free time at meetings.
I've cut back on my meetings but I hang with sober people now, even started a new band with sober friends. I'm not staying sober so I can hang out in smelly church basements the rest of my life. I need to live life. Camping, surfing trips, etc.
Hang in there. Live life, sober.
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I totally changed my evening routine. Mocktails with dinner and fruit for dessert. Also started rewatching old series I watched drunk. Now I actually know what the show is actually about!!
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Meetings definitely do help …. I’ve been in that situation many times when I’m driving and I feel like something pulls me to the store and even as I get in the store I try and walk past the beer and go get a soda , I feel that tug pulling me backwards and there I end up getting a case of beer …just stay positive, u got this!!
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You are an alcoholic and your brain does not any longer function properly…find and embed yourself in a Robert program and do what they suggest…and you too can be awesome!!!! Keith Kayle
After work I meditate, go to yoga, go to meetings, text with friends, work on school assignments, and occasionally go out for coffee/food. When all that is done I'm often still left feeling depressed and lonely. There seems to be a hole in my heart. I try to read and listen to music until I'm exhausted, then I drift off to sleep. Try to explore new hobbies like the ones I mentioned. Also this app helps me a little. The dating portion so far has been worthless for me but that's probably because there aren't many people in my area.
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Get a sitter and find a meeting - and put it out there you are looking for a sponsor- Put it out to the universe and draw one to you - It gets easier one day at a time.
For me it's socializing and making good friends that are like minded, my neighbors, people at church or the gym. And my number one thing is looking at my beautiful daughter and realizing she needs the best version of me.