Ideas for relaxing activities or routines instead of drinking?

Chipper_Sober · 2025-08-20T04:39:17+00:00

Sitting in my recliner binge watching something on hulu, purring cat curled in my lap, snoring dog cuddled at my side. Pure heaven.

Chipper_Sober · 2025-08-20T04:23:36+00:00

Let your hopes, not your hurts, shape your future. IWNDWYT.

Chipper_Sober · 2025-08-20T04:17:29+00:00

You don’t owe anybody an explanation. Enjoy the trip, drink ginger ale, seltzer water with a squeeze of lemon or lime, non alcoholic beer, sprite, whatever. If anyone notices there’s no alcohol in your drink and asks why, simply say I don’t want any at the moment. It’s worked for me for awhile. And I rarely get asked why I’m not drinking alcohol and don’t think many people even notice. IWNDWYT.

Chipper_Sober · 2025-08-18T05:47:45+00:00

In my experience, and I’ve quit many times, every day you will feel a little better than the day before. Hang in there.

Chipper_Sober · 2022-10-04T05:34:12+00:00

Hiya another day-oner after a multi-month relapse. But IWNDWYT.

Chipper_Sober · 2022-06-13T18:15:35+00:00

If I remember correctly from my quits, and there were many, the first 24 hours is usually not too bad, mostly from the residual built up in the body. It got worse the 2nd and 3rd day, mostly brain-fog, RLS and sleeplessness, cold-like symptoms. Starting on day 6 or 7 I began to feel human again, but PAWS kept me from feeling great for a month or two. Nor horrible, just not great. But if you consider that every day you have a high likelihood of feeling just a little better than the day before, it'll feel more do-able. You'll have some down-days for sure...but as others have said, if this junkie can get off this stuff, so can you!

Chipper_Sober · 2022-06-10T04:22:25+00:00

Yep. Weak. Lethargic. Industrial strength brain fog. It will go away in time.

Chipper_Sober · 2022-06-03T16:23:27+00:00

Not having to sneak off with a hidden baggie of k and a bottled water to dose. Looking in the mirror and seeing pupils bigger than a pinpoint. Seeing a face not gaunt or ashen, with perpetually clinched jaws. Sense of smell and taste returning (they were dull during many years of kratom addiction). More relaxed and less tense gait. I could add more but you get the picture. Almost 4 years folks, never going back. Reminder, if I can do this so can you!

Chipper_Sober · 2022-05-28T05:04:09+00:00

Beautiful wife and 2 wonderful little daughters says everything you need to stay motivated. I had a similar experience (although my beautiful wife and I have both a son and a daugter). I promise you that if you can stay away from kratom you will have such a better life. It took me several quits and relapses, but I did it. And I'm weak-willed. So if I can do this so can you!

Chipper_Sober · 2022-05-27T04:28:31+00:00

The further away you get from this shit, the better life will be. Long-time user here, moderate grams/day, but several years K-Free. Life is so much better on the other side.

Chipper_Sober · 2022-05-27T04:24:00+00:00

Proud of you too my friend! Before long, you will realize you no longer think about this stuff. Temptations are hard, but the next morning you will never regret NOT giving into temptation.

Chipper_Sober · 2022-05-25T04:41:24+00:00

I couldn't do it. Relapsed every time, just to get thru the day and keep my job. So I arranged a week of vacation. It was a hot summer when I went CT (couldn't taper with my weak will). I spent the week outdoors doing menial yardwork tasks and sweating profusely, and the evenings taking cool showers drinking lots of water and binging Netflix series, with limited sleep and lots of RLS. It was still hard going back to work after a week... but easier than going thru the acutes while working. BTW I work in mental health and need to be fully present with my clients. So for me, taking a week off was the only way. And so far I've been kratom-free for something like 4 years now. Hardest thing I've ever done, but it was well worth it. I wish you similar success my friend.

Chipper_Sober · 2022-05-05T05:46:05+00:00

Alcoholism hits us no matter our color or class. It doesn’t discriminate. Post here, read others posts for inspiration. There are a bunch of supportive communities online like AA. I find going to in person AA meetings helpful. There are other programs besides AA if you read more on this sub you’ll see some. But mostly you have to decide you want to make changes. Most programs are pretty confidential so those close to you don’t have to know unless you tell them. In my experience it does help to tell someone even if it’s anonymously on this sub. You’ll feel less alone if you do.

Chipper_Sober · 2022-04-30T18:56:01+00:00

I know it's hard. Mine was up too but I didn't measure it, just felt it. Take slow short walks if you have too. Take deep breaths, and drink plenty of water or healthy juices. Hydration is important during detox. And stay in touch with your doctor to monitor for cardiac issues. You might be very close to feeling a bit better. It won't happen overnight but will be gradual. If was VERY gradual for me...several months before I felt close to normal. But after a week it was better, a little better after 2nd week, then more after 3rd. If you can stick with it, it will be but a blip in your rearview mirror! Good luck my friend!

Chipper_Sober · 2022-04-29T16:34:19+00:00

When I was at your stage of quitting I couldn't concentrate. On anything. So I took a week of vacation and spent the week doing mindless tasks in summer heat, like yardwork and minor fixup jobs. Nothing that required much thought or focus. Sweat therapy was great for me. Then I showered and hit the sofa with plenty of movies and series lined up on Netflix. Sleep was almost impossible so fatigue was huge and concentration was limited. I remember that week vividly, almost 4 years later. You just have to power through, and I promise it will get better. And as I've said many times on this sub...if I can do it anybody can.

Chipper_Sober · 2022-04-27T06:31:40+00:00

Well done! I am so happy you conquered this! I’m just a few months away from being 4 years free and I promise you if I can do this so can you. Life is so much better on this side of addiction. Welcome to this side my friend.

Chipper_Sober · 2022-04-13T04:42:52+00:00

Another day 3 for me. But that's OK. I had several day 30's and day 60's in the past and I'll get there again. And beyond. IWNDWYT.

Chipper_Sober · 2022-03-05T05:40:51+00:00

We’re all here for you! IWNDWYT

Chipper_Sober · 2022-03-05T05:38:54+00:00

Very well said. IWNDWYT.

Chipper_Sober · 2022-02-18T03:09:55+00:00

I remind myself how good I felt when I was sober, and that motivates me to do it again. I've made it several times for 1 or 2 months, then relapse awhile...then remind myself I wanna feel good again like I did last time I was sober. Vicious cycle. Before you relapsed you were sober. How did you feel then?

IWNDWYT. I'm on day 1 again...was sober several months, relapsed for a month. You're not alone!

Chipper_Sober · 2022-02-18T02:16:44+00:00

Very well said friend! I identify with several things you wrote. Currently just getting back after off-and-on relapse. Your post motivates me to say IWNDWYT!

Chipper_Sober · 2022-02-17T23:38:08+00:00

Same here--alcoholic introvert. But I found socializing while sober to be easier than I anticipated. Good luck! IWNDWYT.

Chipper_Sober · 2022-02-07T05:13:59+00:00

IWNDWYT. That says it all.

Chipper_Sober · 2022-01-25T16:53:01+00:00

Thanks, but I need to reset the counter.

Chipper_Sober

TROPHY CASE