Feeling Bored In Sobriety? Here’s How To Have Fun Without Alcohol

This conversation made me think I should find a different expert. But on the other hand, Dr Stephens did mention my favourite excuse—luck. I’m not sure if doctors realise, but that line about how “there’s no way to say for sure” undermines a lot of health warnings. “Alcohol is listed as a class one [meaning the highest level] carcinogen,” she explained. “Aside from liver damage you’ll do, long term drinking greatly increases your probability of getting cancer.” Recovery is hard work, but we think you’ll find it’s well worth it.

And if you’re going to drive your own car, and what a Sober Retreat might look like at the end of the night. Really important work, and who knows why, but after the initial white knuckling wears off, it can be a bit blocked. 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.

How Do You Improve Your Self-Awareness in Addiction Recovery?

So many people quit drinking and end up walking around in a dopamine deficit state, struggling to find joy in anything. If you quit drinking and experience any new or worsening mental health symptoms, please consider therapy. When I was a heavy drinker, everything involved alcohol. If I was sad, I drank alcohol to feel better. If I was hanging out with friends, we were getting drunk.

Find yourself a non-alcoholic drink that feels grownup and a bit of a treat to enjoy at the end of the working day. I wish I could recommend some more obscure brands but, in my opinion, the bigger breweries have been first to perfect booze-free-booze. Personally, I am still happy to go to the pub with pals who are drinking while I nurse an alcohol-free beer.

The Benefits of Alcohol

Yet, no matter how much pain it causes to the individual or family, alcohol is one of the most difficult substances to remove. There is a strong relationship between boredom, stress, and drug or alcohol use. It’s therefore no surprise that during the pandemic, the rate of alcohol consumption increased among people that reported COVID-19 related stress. The pandemic has been here and, at the time of this writing, is continuing to keep our world in a state of flux. This puts those who have formed an attachment to alcohol in a very vulnerable position.

For that reason, setting goals is a great way to start building that amazing, sober life. If you are a regular reader of this blog, you will know that I say stopping drinking isn’t just about stopping drinking. However, I’m not saying that https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/5-reasons-sobriety-tattoos-are-a-terrible-idea/ when you stop drinking, all boredom will instantly be relieved. If you believe these advertisements, alcohol can make you come across as a more interesting, fun, and exciting person. People often say they drink alcohol to “relieve boredom”.

Find a grownup drink

Let’s learn why boredom is the enemy and what you can do to squash it. The most important thing is to change your perception of fun. If something seems fun only when you are a bit drunk, then it’s not really fun at all and you should stop doing it. For me, that included days at the horse racing, stag weekends in Prague and visits to Winter Wonderland.

• Your relationships are strained, either because you’re irritable, which is so normal, or because your spouse is adjusting to navigating you without drinking or because they’re still drinking.
• These are all things you’re trying to overcome from drinking.
• Also know what you are going to drink and select from alcohol alternatives.
• Facing your unhappy thoughts can be overwhelming, and it’s natural to need a break or a distraction from time to time.
• Surrounding yourself with people that support you can help alleviate possible remnants of guilt and shame from past behaviors.

Interestingly, people who are prone to addiction are more easily bored. It takes more dopamine to trigger the dopamine-related emotions that you would be having in people more prone to boredom. Studies have shown people with fewer dopamine receptors are also often more prone to pleasure-seeking and with that comes addiction. In the “Ask a Therapist” drinking out of boredom series, I’ll be answering your questions about all things mental health and psychology. Whether you are struggling with a mental health condition, coping with anxiety about a life situation, or simply looking for a therapist’s insight, submit a question. Look out for my answers to your questions every Friday in the Healthy Mind newsletter.

Is Being Sober Boring? Why Not?

The 2-3 days after I would drink, even if it was only a couple glasses of wine, I would be more emotional. I’d get crankier, more excited, more embarrassed, feel more guilty. In New York, alcohol makes your social life easier and more enjoyable.

I took my last drink on December 19, 2016. You have to understand what you’re feeling and WHY you’re feeling this way in order to change it. Exercise is critically important in early sobriety and for ongoing mental health and wellness. It’s a great way to boost dopamine and endorphin levels naturally. This is probably new for your friends and family, too. Don’t be afraid to communicate how you’re feeling.