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Relapse prevention plan! Aka what to do when BORED

GirlInterrupted

GirlInterrupted

Bluelighter
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Messages
110
Location
Rehab & Hospitals
So the title sounds like some worksheet you get at rehabs....well it is haha
But lots of people are struggling to find ways to spend their time when they are bored especially after they have given up a habit.
So I wanted to create this thread so that we can help one another come up with ideas on what to do with our time when we are bored so that we don't end up relapsing.

1. Look up conspiracies online. (my fav is illuminatis and subliminal messages)
2. NA meetings
3. When im having extreme cravings I go to walmart. Works every time. There's so much to look at!
4. Watch documentaries
5. Go to library or local community center, they always have stuff going on there.

Any other ideas? :)
 
I go to mall when I get craving. Even if I'm not going to buying anything I just go and try on different outfit combos and see what's new at the store.

Listening to music for while.

Sex.

Oh the best one, working out. Got weight set right in the room so I can get down on bench whenever I'm bored. Maybe hookup ipod and go jogging or biking.
 
A different research topic that is endless like conspiracy theories are endless is personality theory. MBTI and Enneagram are two modalities that could keep you busy for years.

Volunteering> Red Cross. Retirement Center. Hospital. Food bank/soup kitchen. Library. Schools. etc

Not advised: put random strangers under surveillance taking notes and pictures. Could get interesting but might not turn out well.
 
Enki you've got the best ideas. Personality theory sounds interesting. I don't really have a relapse prevention plan since I'm not ready to recover. I just have to think that if I get high I am likely to go to jail and suffer many other undesirable consequences.

I like to play video games. Bluelight it up. Read anything on the internet. Watch some situational comedies or House. Sex is nice too.

I want to start finding friends who don't use but have been too lazy. I want to do some yoga and hopefully find a group with people my age. I'd like to try volunteering. It's good to keep in shape too. I like to play sports. I just need to get the motivation to actually do these things.
 
i'm currently in a sober house, and the days go fast. some days i'll chill out all day, make two meetings and before you know it it's nighttime (1, 2 am ha) and i pass out. this weekend i'm visiting my father, and just spending time with his kids is enjoyable, playing video games with them, etc (their 3 and 5) and it's mad cute. when i have a desire, i let my temp. sponsor know and he talks me through it. making food is a good way to pass time.

and of course just watching random shit online. i was doing it high, but it's enjoyable sober too because i can actually pay attention. i should really get into reading some books..
 
lol I knew you were from nyc mymindisgoo when you said "mad cute" xD


I'm two weeks off of dope after a year of iv use, here are my counter measures against use:


Exercise - Hitting up the gym gets the blood pumping and gives you a natural high, and you look good to boot.

Eating good meals - As you should always, stay away from sugary beverages and fried foods, as well as simple carbs. Good meals = nutrients = more likely to be in a good mood. Best coupled with exercise.

socializing - I feel great when I socialize but I have been pretty reclusive..i feel as if though I must play "catch up" for the years I've missed out on socializing while in addict mode, so I'm working out and getting fit mentally/physically moreso than making bonds with people, because my mood has been haywire. Waiting until it stablizes.

Do NOT hang out with people who use, do not socialize with them, do not answer their calls. Defriend them from Facebook. YOU are number one and until you are no longer a victim of moral frailty then you must separate yourself from these types completely or your recovery will be hindered greatly.

Keep a journal - express your feelings and the pain you feel, but also write about how great things will be later and how all the things you'll be able to do after will outweigh the negatives of using drugs. Write poetry, raps, song lyrics

Pick up an instrument - If you aren't that good a writer you may be have better luck expressing yourself with the universal language - music.

Magic: The Gathering! - I love this card game, it's extremely entertaining and can be very competative. Check out a local comic shop and see if they host Friday Night Magic tournaments, engross yourself in the lore that is similar to D&D and WoW. It may be escapism, but temporary escapism is useful in coping for a bit, it gives you time to strategize and get used to sobriety a little.

When you have a breakdown emotionally, try to not resort to using. If you survive the breakdown (which you will) then after it is over you will feel great. I forgot the feeling of feeling sad and not resorting to using, and everytime it happens to me I feel I am one step closer to happiness.

Pain is weakness leaving the body.


:]


- Sean
 
OMG! I loooove documentaries and conspiracy theories too! The best are documentaries ABOUT conspiracies! :)

I usually eat or sleep when I'm bored, though I'm sure there are healthier ways to manage boredom. Before I did drugs, music was my escape. And video games. And writing. Now it's music, video games, writing and drugs.

I work at home and am alone a lot of the time, which gets ungodly boring sometimes. Surrounding yourself with friends and loved ones is probably a good distraction, provided there's not lots of drama. And they're not druggies.

I think my biggest downfall is doing something fun and thinking, "This would be even MORE amazing on drugs!" Boredom is bad, but the urge to get high can strike at any time...even when everything is going right.
 
For me (food is my addiction) I try to:

- Work out while watching series on my laptop
- Read a book or magazine
- Drink herbal teas (in many exciting new flavours, woop!)
- Study/Work
- Make sure there is absolutely no food around me to tempt me
- Save my money in a piggy bank that is hard to open (and therefore I won't open it and go buy a ton of food)
- Drink water all the time
- Do a manicure or pedicure on myself
- Give my boyfriend a back massage (while watching movies - this is a time of weakness)
- Smoke a ton of weed and try to just fall asleep (munchies can kill my resolve, though)

...these things also helped me to quit smoking cigarettes.
 
i read about the illuminati on my first night of withdrawal before suboxone haha
 
exercise, meditate, get some fresh air.


If that doesn't work go do something girly like getting your hair or nails done.
 
I remember reading in Junky about the centres where people would kick heroin and would do intensive manual kind of labour like helping on farms while being rehabilitated.

So i think maybe doing some weeding in your garden or mowing the lawn can be a good exercise (depending upon the person)
 
Yeah, do something constructive/productive, like exercising, cleaning, re-organizing, sending letters to family.

Play a musical instrument?
 
yeah learning something like an instrument is a good idea. but if that doesnt directly appeal, focus on learning a new hobby thats quite difficult and challenging. that way, when you have idle hands, youll always be pressured to attend to this new hobby. figure drawing, dance, tailoring (ever seen www.etsy.com?), tai chi, yoga, horticulture (esp indoor horticulture), etc. a friend of mine actually learned to train a dog to be a seeing eye dog for vision impaired people for similar reasons, with no prior experience, and believe me, that was constant work but its not bad playing around with a dutch shepherd all the time.
 
i find the thing i have the biggest problem with is actually mustering the energy to actually do anything. i'm a great planner, just not a great executer.

the few things i do try and spend my time doing are things that seem kinda interesting like photography, yoga, horseback riding (which i used to do when i was younger), i recently started volunteering at petsmart to help the kitties there - since my cat is back home and i miss her terribly.
 
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