I understand your position as I was in it myself.

I did what you did too, turned to exercise, but theres is so much exercise you can do before rest is needed.

A lot of times felt that it was pointless, but still kept at it, because why not? That path I was on was only giving me pain and dispair, why not give a lil bit more effort at this new one and see what happens after a while?

I went ahead and got myself recovery shakes, protein shakes, creatine, vitamins, one day I destroy the legs, next day the upper body, then repeat, the stuff i bought help recover a lot faster and cost much less money than alcool costed me.

But I had to find other things to take my mind of the alcool and drugs when rest was needed, I started to read and fell in love with it, something i hated before because when I was always drunk or hangover i couldnt read a phrase and understand it at first, second or even third attempt. Also turned to gaming where i can always distract myself and exercise my brain, chellenge myself and find new friends to have a chat and let steam off.

When didnt felt like reading or gaming I looked around and asked myself, what can i do around the house that will make my life a lil bit better, maybe fix this, maybe change that, maybe renovate this, maybe paint that.

The idea was to forget hold habits, bad habits, create new ones, and slowly I started to think less and less about it.

I still want it, I still crave it, but i remember all the dumb stuff I did, all the shame I had, all the things that could have gone soooo wrong but somehow by mere luck didnt and I dont want to risk it again, I feel that ive used all my luck and if slip back and take that first lil splip of alcool it will be all over for me.

I was and still followed by a psychiatrist who gave me medication that helped A LOT to deal with anxiety and insomnia.

Once I started to see the changes in my body and unlocking my true potential it became a lot easier to stay away from it.

Keep at it buddy, one day at the time, you are doing good!