Boredom is a common symptom of recovery, but it can be managed with the right coping strategies. Fortunately, sobriety pulls back the veil and allows you to discover hobbies and interests that may have previously been neglected due to substance abuse. By engaging in healthy activities and connecting with others in recovery, however, you can make it through this period without relapsing. If this is the situation for you, then it might be time to reach out for professional help and get additional support in your recovery. By connecting with others, you can find that you’re not alone in your struggles and get advice on how they cope with boredom.
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- It signals a feeling of satisfaction, pleasure, or reward, encouraging us to repeat the behavior that led to this good feeling.
- However, finding constructive and fun activities in sobriety is essential for maintaining long-term recovery.
- If you’re a casual drinker, you should understand the ramifications of regular drinking.
- 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.
- See if there are organisations around you where you could help out, that would love to use your skills and talents.
- Taking the opportunity to travel and discover new places can be a great way to break out of your routine and discover new experiences.
It’s easy to slip back into old habits when you’re feeling restless or unmotivated, which is why it’s important to find healthy ways to occupy your time and keep yourself busy. It can be difficult to quit drinking or pull out alcohol from your life when you think about your everyday stresses and pressures. Managing our expectations can relieve boredom as well as the unhealthy compulsions to relieve it. But these judgments that we can make about ourselves are rarely fair or accurate. Instead, try to reframe times of boredom as opportunities to do the meaningful things you’ve not had time for until now. Boredom is the best excuse to finally getting around to doing these things that can enhance one’s life.
If it becomes frequent, try to taper off or contact an alcohol addiction treatment center. Most people drink to fill some sort of void, like boredom, loneliness, an unhappy relationship, job-related stress or anxiety. When the alcohol wears off, your problems will still be there, and you’ll likely reach out for more alcohol to escape them again. The average adult experiences around 131 days of boredom per year, so how you react to this boredom is critical to your mental health. If you justify to yourself, “I drink when I’m bored,” it can quickly lead to overindulgence and health concerns. If you’re a casual drinker, you should understand the ramifications of regular drinking.
Reaching out to others will give you the proper support needed to get through this lull in your recovery. Getting outdoors and exploring the natural world is a great way to break away from boredom. The key is to find something that you truly enjoy so it doesn’t feel like a chore.
- During his time as a therapist, Justin has worked in a residential addiction treatment facility, private practice, and outpatient settings.
- After months or years of engaging in addictive behaviors, finding purpose and excitement in everyday life can be difficult.
- The shower or the walk is neither so engrossing or boring as to distract your thoughts from churning — that’s the sweet spot you should be aiming for.
- She has worked in behavioral health since graduating with her bachelor’s degree in 2019.
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When you don’t feel you have anyone to talk to or anywhere to go, drinks can feel like a constant, a friend. Unfortunately, drinking drinking out of boredom alcohol because of boredom makes you feel worse which in turn, makes you feel even less confident about going out and making new connections. But self-medicating like this is not just bad for your body, but it is also likely to make your mental health worse. Boredom can be a common relapse trigger for those in recovery, especially in the earliest stages.
Recently I spotted an interesting comment on my blog about feeling bored.
It all felt normal, even the terrible parts like awful hangovers and hangxiety. Often, being bored without alcohol seems intimidating because when there’s no task to put your mind to, you’re forced to notice the things that are making you unhappy. Describing her approach as eclectic, Darcie seamlessly combines person-centered and evidence-based practices. Drawing from her background in local improv groups, she infuses sessions with laughter and humor, fostering a non-judgmental space for clients. Darcie believes in collaborating with her clients, tailoring interventions to suit their individual needs.
I drink because I’m anxious and I want to numb the feeling
Alcohol can be in a unique position of being both the solution to and the cause of pain. Yet, no matter how much pain it causes to the individual or family, alcohol is one of the most difficult substances to remove. By exploring new activities and connecting with others in recovery, you can break away from boredom and enjoy a meaningful and fulfilling sober life. Sometimes, even with the best coping strategies in place, it can still be difficult to manage your boredom without drinking or using drugs.
Don’t assume people are too busy to see you, all they need is to know that you would like to meet up. Andy explains how a straightforward, 7-stage process enabled him to change a lifelong addiction to alcohol. Plus, we’re always introducing new features to optimize your in-app experience. We recently launched our in-app chatbot, Melody, powered by the world’s most powerful AI technology. Melody is here to help as you adjust to a life with less (or no) alcohol.
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Outside of her professional endeavors, Megan finds joy in the company of her partner and pets. She relishes spending time with friends, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, and exploring the great outdoors during milder weather. Give us a call and we can help find the right treatment program for you or your loved one – even if it’s not ours! There will always be a long lost friend who arrives on your doorstep looking to catch up over a few drinks.
Dealing with monotony and underlying mental health issues typically requires self-awareness and outside assistance through various forms of therapy addressing underlying conditions. Whether it’s boredom at home, stress from daily routines, or a need for excitement, there are healthier ways to fill the void. This article dives into why boredom often leads to drinking, the risks it poses, and practical strategies to help you find joy and purpose without turning to alcohol. If you’re ready to take control and build better habits, you’re in the right place. While you’ve surely experienced boredom at some point or another, have you stopped to consider why?
