So for the longest time I would smoke more weed to help quit alcohol all the times I’ve tried. Or drink more to help quit weed. I’ve come to realize that is not the right thing to do. So now i’m on day 38 of no weed and day 9 of no alcohol. My question for those who have given up drinking is this, what do you reach for to kind of fill the void? Myself, I’ve found lemonade and rootbeer as good substitutes. I know it sounds funny but it kind of helps. I especially love having an evening sugar free rootbeer with my 5 year old son. We even “drank” together this weekend while watching some football lol.
11 Likes
I like hitting up meetings and listening to other people’s experience strength and hope.
I like the meme thread. Humor is on of my little higher powers.
And another go to is the Insight Timer App and listen to a guided meditation.
Or coming on here and looking at my favorite threads.
Listening to AA speaker meetings. There’s a lot of great AA speakers and it’s also humerus
9 Likes
Been sober for several years, and what I’ve reached for has changed over that time.
Early on, it was this forum. Then it was meditation, and after that, it was seltzer water, and probably cookies and junk. 
Now, it’s physical activity; walking, running, lifting etc. Because of all the cookies and junk. 
15 Likes
Welcome to the community Justin
Well done on your AF and Weed timers!
If it helps then its gold! We all have our go to’s. As long as it’s keeping your from reaching for addictive substances then you are doing great.
The early days I drank a LOT of seltzer water and ate lots of ice cream. I clung to this community from the moment I found it as it really was my saving grace. Many great threads filled with support and advice and also many threads for just having fun and being silly. This place is active 24 hours a day so you are never alone.
Early days I spent a lot of time sleeping or playing on my phone with games or puzzling. Now I do spend more time on me and activities that I enjoy. Now its not so much a void but me living my best life.
Glad that you have found us… stay connected! Hope to see you around 
9 Likes
In the short-term or long-term?
Short-term - ginger ale, a foo foo coffee, peppermint tea with honey
Long-term - exercise, cooking a healthy /novel meal, reading
9 Likes
as someone who used to down about a 12pk while cutting and splitting firewood for years, i have had my recovery put to the ultimate test the past few months. I’ve personally found that sparkling water, like La Croix and Liquid Death, have been monumental in replacing my desire to drink. I’ve found that with meditation - improving my conscious contact with my higher power - has helped to keep me prepared and exercise my desire to stay sober greater than my desire to drink.
4 Likes
Welcome to TS Justin (@PackersFan22).
that doesn’t sound funny at all. good tactic. heres some of my coping activities:
- going to the gym
- 12 step meetings
- cooking/cleaning
- walking
- podcast(s) about recovery
- TalkingSober
- prayer
- meditation
- going for a drive
- protein shakes
- stretching
- journaling
6 Likes
Making a cozy environment has been important for me. Evenings are my struggle time, so I clean an area in my house for lounging, lighting incense and candles, with a cuppa tea. I’m romanticizing sober moments the way society romanticizes drinking.
5 Likes
Tell somebody I feel like drinking, Reach out on here or in person, go to a meeting, ride my bike, go to the skate park, do some writing Or journaling, Eat some food or drink water, pray or talk to my higher power. It took a long time for me to realize that a craving might last a couple minutes and if I move a muscle change a thought it goes away but if I act on that craving the consequences could be months or years. Not worth the bullshit that comes along with drinking. Sometimes my brain wants to try to fool me or trick me But I have to get real about what a drink or drug will really do!!
5 Likes
When I come in from work the first thing I reach for is a fresh orange and diet lemonade, especially on these sunnier days. The more fruit and ice I can cram in the better. This is my treat. I keep myself busy in the garden. I use Talking Sober a lot throughout the day.
When the old me would have been chugging 10 or 12 pints back on an afternoon the new me drinks orange, has a soak in the bath and listens to audiobooks. I make plans for my future without drink at 30 days, 60 days , 90 days. I reconnect with family. There is always something better to do than drinking myself into oblivion day after day.
Hope you find your way Justin 
4 Likes
I built a life, through my recovery, that did not require me to reach for anything. I like to drink seltzer, but I did a lot of self work to fill the void. Don’t know if they sell at Wegmans, but I got mine in therapy and AA.
3 Likes
Love this idea! Gonna try it as I don’t have many ways to cope but this seems doable.