I’ve been sober for about 6 months, and this is the longest I’ve went without using. Normally I make it to maybe 3 or 4 months and then I just can’t do it anymore. I started SIing at 12 and the following year I tried running away from my problems through the use of narcotics, which of course worsened things. However, I realized this after I knew I was addicted. I am now 4 months away form being 17 and I am scared for my life. I decided to stop using in January as a New Year’s resolution and I haven’t used since. This is the hardest thing I think I’ve ever encountered and not having much support isn’t helping the recovery process. Since I’ve been sober I’ve had a lot of time on my hands because I’ve been staying away from the party scene and I no longer talk to any of my former “friends”. I haven’t picked up any hobbies, and watching television isn’t really for me meaning that I’ve had a lot of time to myself to think which has been leading me closer and closer to SIing or using again. It’s as if I’m being engulfed by my own mind and there’s no escape. I’ve tried reading, writing, listening to music but eventually I end up laying on my bed for hours staring at the ceiling, just thinking. I don’t know anything else I can do to distract myself and I’m afraid that if I go back to my old ways I am not going to make it to see my 17th birthday. If anyone has any advice please comment I need all the help I can get.
if ur in school try making more friends b/c wat ive learned is that no one can actually MAKE u stop but ur self. try looking for a fun job like an ice cream store or something that u actually like in life, when u have the motivation u WILL stop and HAPPY early birthday 🙂
Try an artistic hobby, like drawing, painting, photography, choreography, music making, etc. And learn to express your feelings through art. Take out all the pain your feeling on the camera or canvas or instrument. It doesn’t work for me, but it might work for you.
in keeping with what the other two individuals above me have said, I would agree that finding friends, a hobby, and a way to outwardly express your innner emotions/pain is very helpful. One way to do this might be by joining some form of club, hobby group, of class within your school or community related to an area of interest. It is killing two birds with one stone, so to speak, and can help you meet people whom you relate to that will not be triggering for your sobriety or injuring. Congratulations on 6 months! You should be very proud of your achievment.
Also, I have found that when my thoughts keep my occupied and I simply cannot stop thinking that it helps to write them down. Journaling and blogging have helped me a lot with that. Just the physical task of writing down what i think, even if it is uneditied or in an imperfect form, seems to help me get past thinking about stuff and helps me move on to expressing my emotions through poetry, music, or dancing. Playing with my cat also helps me self-sooth when I can’t be motivated to create and/or express myself. I hope you find something helpful within one of our responces!