What are alternatives to substance abuse, other than typical suggestions like hobbies and exercise?

Alternatives to substance abuse outside the typical hobbies and exercise... well that all depends on what you consider a hobby. Learning new things? Teaching yourself something knew? Volunteering? Anything you do more than once can be considered a hobby. So, maybe it's doing something new everyday? Maybe its writing, drawing or being creative? Maybe it's giving other people complements and helping them smile and in turn feeling that good feeling of being a good person to someone else?

learning a new language or new skill is a great distraction, it keeps the mind busy and provides a challenge.

get access to rehab, try some alternatives to the substance you are abusing, it takes a lot of determination to completely stop using the substance you are so dependent on. but try some less addicting substance compared to the one you are using and then slowly you can reduce the doses of the new substance until survive without it. although it is recommended to take some professional help, if you are so dependent that you think you cannot function without it specially in case of drugs or alcohol.

There are no alternatives. 'Substances', alcohol - drugs - what have you?, gives the user instant gratification. You are immediately rewarded by your brain centers for consuming the aformentioned substance. What that means is, it'll temporarily distract you from your issues. Once that wears off, the issues come back and you've essentially lost a few hours of your life. A severe need for distraction, boredom and fun are the main reasons, I assume, for substance abuse. What that means to me is that Ajay has had a bad day at work so he decides to get smashed. I wonder if he had instead gone boxing at his local Gym or decided to pwn some noobs on CoD would he be hungover the next morning. My point is simple, if you are using and reading this, ask yourself why are you using. Once you have the answer, play angry birds 2 instead. They have an amazing gamified model for instant gratification. Best of luck

I'd say addressing the underlying causes of substance abuse. Treating the root cause of the problem will always work better than tending symptoms.

that's really the only things, the typical is almost all there really is unless you make things up on your own.

There's only you who knows you best try going to you local rehabilitation and ask to speak to someone as they are the best to help you steer around it with you

Before I get into this, I just wanted to say that it is very mature, strong, and admirable of you for wanting to escape substance abuse and wanting to find ways to keep yourself busy and grow. One thing that I'd recommend to do that's beyond hobbies and exercise is reading. And this reading doesn't include only fantasy or entertainment books. There are many books about financial success, personal motivation, and self-improvement that can be very beneficial and that can keep you busy, especially during this quarantine season. Some authors I would recommend are Tony Robbins and James Allen.