Sober Fun: 15 Activities to Enjoy Life Without Alcohol or Drugs

Alcohol abuse and comorbid depression are common – meaning they Halfway house often occur simultaneously. With alcohol-induced depression, alcohol use actually triggers the depression. Eventually, your brain will make less of it on its own. Additionally, it will reduce the number of dopamine receptors available. Alcohol creates a chemical imbalance by flooding the brain with dopamine.

Though boredom in early recovery can be challenging, remember that many before you have figured out how to sustain the changes they want for themselves. Today as an adult, I still find myself feeling bored sometimes, but I have a different approach to boredom, and a different philosophy on what boredom is. Occupy your time and get healthy social interaction by taking part in group meetings and sober-related activities. Many groups hang out before or after the meeting so join up for a great time and less boredom. Free time leads to boredom and boredom can lead you back to drinking or drug use. Boredom is an enemy in sobriety but there are several ways you can fill your time with healthy, productive activities.

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The tricky thing about anhedonia is that it can come and go. Some people may experience anhedonia for a few hours after quitting alcohol, like with hangxiety. Other people might experience anhedonia for several weeks. It helped, but shortly thereafter (like a week or two later), I learned I was pregnant and that was the final push I needed to ditch the cigarettes for good.

Why Is Being Sober So Boring?

• To live a great quality sober life, you need to focus on building it.
• Even if your work now isn’t your life’s purpose, it might turn out to be an indispensable means to that end.
• I’ve included this separate from hobbies because I don’t believe that journaling is a hobby.
• It’s likely your doctor will order some bloodwork, which can be the start of your path to physical recovery.

Trust me, the cravings do in fact go away. Often, it really comes down to being willing to do something that doesn’t entertain you or make you feel good immediately. In other words, it’s about suspending the need for instant gratification.

Reconnect with Hobbies and Dreams

This positive outlook may come from people believing that they have opportunities to make things better for themselves. Las Vegas brings in thousands of people every year for sporting events and conferences, and some of those crowds are not all about drinking. Maybe you want to try gambling or drinking one day, but you’re still anxiously awaiting the day you turn 21.

These triggers can create cravings for alcohol and other drugs, which may lead to relapse and continued addiction. Sober and bored is nothing more than a mentality. Learning a new skill keeps your mind active and engaged, providing a sense of purpose and accomplishment. You can learn a new language, take a cooking class, or enroll in a course at a local community college. When you challenge yourself to learn something new, you build your confidence and expand your knowledge base, which can help create a fulfilling life in sobriety.

Is Being Sober is So Boring?: Finding Fun in Sobriety

Or, make something new by picking up a stress-relieving fiber-based art — whether that’s sewing your own clothes, crocheting, embroidery or otherwise. Go to a playground and rediscover your favorite youthful pastimes like swinging and hanging on the monkey bars (just don’t steal the slide from the kiddos, okay?). Or, skip the food altogether and https://lea88.com/5-best-foods-to-eat-in-recovery-from-alcohol/ host a coffee or tea cupping.

If an emergency arose and you could no longer stay and enjoy Thanksgiving dinner, your dopamine levels would drop and take your mood along with it. The anticipation of that same thing will raise your dopamine levels in the future. It’s why smelling Thanksgiving dinner from the living room can be such a maddening experience. You are craving something you can’t quite have yet.

Whether it is painting, writing, decorating, or gardening, creative expression activates a different part of the brain and provides a healthy outlet for emotions. Think about what used to excite you before addiction took over. Maybe it was music, travel, writing, cooking, or fitness. Or maybe there are dreams you never had the chance to explore. Small steps toward a new goal create momentum and help ease boredom.

The Stages of Recovery

Try our pinot noir, or if you’re more of a bubbles fan, grab our 4 pack of canned brut. Journaling is a proven way to release stress, and you don’t need to have a drink to write! According to the American Psychological Association, there are therapeutic benefits to writing, and studies have shown that it boosts immune systems, as well as minds.

• If you dive into all the sober things after 45 days, after 50 days, you might feel like, you know, that you’re over this stuff.
• Feeling bored, sad, lonely, or anxious about something are all very human things to feel.
• Boredom is a common experience for many people in early sobriety.
• No matter your reason (pregnancy, mental health, don’t like the taste, or otherwise!), I hope you understand that your experiences are valid.
• The early stages of sobriety can be tough when drugs or alcohol are no longer part of the picture.
• So now I feel like I have nothing to do, and anything I have to do outside of the house, I don’t want to do.

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Studies have found that some people are more prone to feeling bored than others. Kids that feel bored more often are 50% more likely to start drinking or using drugs than their peers. We use alcohol to enhance boring experiences, like sitting around watching TV all night or not knowing what to do on the weekend.

Fill out the form below and one of our team members will reach out to help you get started. Have you ever wanted to try painting or pottery? Art classes can be therapeutic and a great outlet for expression. Or maybe you’re interested in something more active, like rock climbing or yoga. These hobbies not only keep you busy but also help develop new drunk and bored skills and boost self-confidence.