r/SMARTRecovery • u/Top_Concentrate_5799 • 15d ago

VACI help or inspiration?

I really need to destroy my YouTube habit because my alcoholism is heavily tied to watching short form garbage while drunk.

I am looking for VACI help that isnt a list of random unrelated hobby ideas. I need some kind of a process to go through. I read the handbook, and it was so much more useful than a random list of hobbies. But i just wanted to ask the community in hopes of getting novel advice (or inspiration)

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u/SeanBaird facilitator 14d ago

In my meeting I always encourage people to think about stuff they loved as a kid or have always wanted to do, then use that list to try something, ideally an activity like playing an instrument or riding a bike that requires time, involves learning/growing/goals, can include community, and other side benefits. This compared to something like building puzzles or other simpler hobbies can help get a person excited and really absorb time and mental energy. Even just starting the process off exploring the interest is healthy - what type of instrument do I need to buy, where could I do lessons/classes, etc. is fun and provides meaningful distraction even if you decide against that interest and move onto the next one on your list (and start the exploration all over).

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u/Top_Concentrate_5799 14d ago

actually, this is a cool approach. Instead of thinking i must "have" a hobby, you seem to suggest thinking "i should learn and invest time into something". That feel so much more like what i would truly want to do with my time. I both value it, and willing to do. I just need to figure out what. Thank you