When I try to get sober I get impulsive and want a pet. I know that isnt the answer though.
6 Likes
I’ve just got myself a Dog. . Best decision ever. I now know that something else depends on me… It’s made me even more determined to stay sober. And he makes me very happy.
7 Likes
I got a dog a few weeks ago as well. It is moreso for my children but he keeps me busy and active. Helps take my mind off drinking when feeling irritable
3 Likes
I think pets are great… But not as an impulse thing. We have a puppy that’s a working dog breed and she is intense. Our last dog was a rescue and more chilled as she was older, but still a huge commitment in both time and money. Wouldn’t swap it for the world… But definitely worth knowing what you’re getting into! Especially animals that could live for 10+ years and need a lot of time and training 
The amount of animals that end up in rescue centres, or being put down, because people didn’t know what they were getting in for, or hadn’t considered what they might do if their circumstances changed, is really sad.
8 Likes
I love my dog with all my heart but when he was a puppy he was an absolute bastard. Like I was hugging my knees fighting tears just wishing he would go away out of my life.
Now he is my best buddie in all the world. Just know what you’re getting yourself into
2 Likes
Hey there…pets are pretty much the greatest thing in the world! BUT definitely NOT an impulse purchase. That’s another life that is completely dependent on you. Maybe start with a plant? If you can keep it alive for 2 months move up to a small fish? Dogs are forever pets, and the second we take one home we have to plan on committing the next 15 years or so of our lives to make sure that they are loved, fed, exercised, medically treated ($), safe and healthy!
6 Likes
I don’t know how far along you are in your sobriety but it’s not a good idea to have a new pet in early sobriety. That’s the time when you should be focusing on yourself. What happens if you’re having a down day where you just don’t want to do anything? That dog will still needs to be walked and loved. You barely have the energy to take care of yourself, imagine trying to muster up enough to walk it 3 times that day. It’s no problem on those days you’re feeling good but early sobriety isn’t going to be all rainbows and unicorn farts.
2 Likes
There are low maintenance pets such as a beta fish that can be awesome! Start small and work your way up to more demanding animals as you get more time under your belt 
1 Like
Ya im not getting one just wondering if other people felt like that
2 Likes
Pets are great. I love walking dogs.
Other people’s dogs. There’s so much work in actually owning a dog 
Have you ever looked into assessment for ADHD? I live with it myself and didn’t realize it until I started on my sober path. I had been using my addiction to self-medicate. As I’ve incorporated ADHD life training and tactics (and I complement that with medication prescribed by my doctor), I’ve found I can navigate my impulses more steadily. They’re still there but I’m more conscious of them: where they come from and how I can navigate it.
1 Like
Hi @Lost_wanderer8888…I got a dog a month or so after getting sober. My old dang passed away and it had been a good couple of years from that happening to me getting another German Shepherd pup. My god! 
thank the lord for my hubby and son. I forgot just how much hard work they are. I actually hated the pup at one point and I cried constantly. There was never a peaceful minute! I wished I’d asked the question here first and got all of the advice and wisdom above! He’s two now and slowly settling down but in the early days of my lads weren’t here to help walk and entertain him he would of most definitely been sold on. Maybe leave it until you have a good year or so of sobriety? I wish you well with what ever you decide! 
3 Likes
My pup has definitely helped me on some of those tough days.
2 Likes
Pets are a forever lifetime commitment. Many rescue pets out there. My grandcat Boo rescued my daughter early on in her recovery. They got ten years together now. We’ve always been a family of indoor cats. In a way Boo definitely saved my daughters life. But don’t do it on an impulse. And vet bills can add up. And up.
Dogs are great. But a lot more work. You can leave a cat at home all day.
1 Like
I rescued a kitten a month after a tough breakup. She was so helpful with keeping me company during that time, and also keeping me tied to some sort of responsibility for another.
Granted, I was dealing with sex and love addiction vs alcoholism at that time, so a kitten may be more responsibility than is healthy for some. But, all in all, she is a great companion and totally worth the occasional scratched up door frame lol. Sometimes having that responsibility for another is just what some people need. 
1 Like
My cat has helped me tremendously. You don’t have to get a kitten or a puppy. Plenty of adult rescues out there.
3 Likes
Not just dogs and cats either! Lots of different animals with different requirements that suit lots of lifestyles
3 Likes
Totally…
2 Likes