Surrounding yourself with people that support you can help alleviate possible remnants of guilt and shame from past behaviors. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just a result of having nothing to do. In fact, boredom is a genuine emotion, akin to happiness or sadness. When this emotion surfaces, it reveals our disconnection or lack of interest in our surroundings or activities. It searches for a spark, something to stimulate and captivate us.
#2 Keep a List of Supportive Contacts
Boredom is one such emotion, and it can be surprisingly challenging. When the mind is left unstimulated, it craves something to engage with. Alcohol offers a quick and easy solution, seemingly transforming a dull moment into something a bit more lively. However, this temporary fix masks the real issue rather than addressing it.
Sometimes being sober is boring because your life revolves around alcohol.
Please call to speak with one of our addiction specialists for a complimentary consultation. I certainly would have if I’d read this article five years ago. This is the part where you figure out how to enjoy life without a little something extra to help loosen you up. So now comes the arduous task of learning how to manage the tough stuff without a chemical crutch like alcohol. Feeling bored, sad, lonely, or anxious about something are all very human things to feel.
What is Quiet BPD: Understanding this Borderline Personality Disorder Subtype
We can address fear and healthy coping mechanisms to combat any doubt and uncertainty that either an individual or family may feel during these difficult times. It’s important to understand that achieving sobriety is possible. Alcohol addiction rehab programs should address substance use as well as any underlying co-occurring mental health disorders. The most effective treatment provides access to ongoing therapy, skills training, group or peer support, relapse avoidance techniques, and prescribed medications, if necessary. Taking a personalized approach allows many families and individuals the chance to adjust treatment to best suit lifestyle, needs, and long-term goals.
- If you’re already dealing with weight or health issues, drinking to alleviate boredom will only exacerbate these problems.
- In this article, we’ll unpack bored drinking and help you figure out whether boredom is a drinking trigger.
- Receive encouragement from people worldwide who know exactly what you’re going through!
- A sure sign of problematic bored drinking is failing to achieve hobby-related goals.
- As with anxiety, COVID has seen rates of loneliness soar, as people have been forced apart for months, or have lost connections to friends or social groups.
You can go to support groups, talk to your sponsor, or reach out to recovery chat rooms online. Reaching out to others will give you the proper support needed to get through this lull in your recovery. It can be helpful to talk to people who are also in recovery and share your experiences with them. 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.
The Sober School
Originally from Center Point, Iowa, Darcie drinking out of boredom pursued her academic journey at Walden University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She then relocated to Alamosa, Colorado, where she obtained a master’s degree from Adams State University.
Stupid Mistakes I Made When I Tried (And Failed) To Quit Drinking
Truth, but not something I couldn’t have thought of myself. Bored drinking can sneakily become an unhealthy habit, and it’s not always easy to curb it on your own. And to stay motivated, take a moment to jot down in a journal how you feel after making progress in your hobby. When boredom strikes and you find it more difficult to muster the motivation to work on your hobby, read these journal entries. That reminder of how good you’ll feel should keep you from heading to the fridge. A sure sign of problematic bored drinking is failing to achieve hobby-related goals.
With ‘damp drinking’ and ‘zebra striping’, Gen Z are embracing moderation – not abstinence – from alcohol
- Additionally, she is trained in Brainspotting, offering a unique approach to trauma-informed care.
- You’ll get to meet new people and be a part of something positive.
- This consistent connection will help foster healthy relationships in recovery with people who can support you and what you’re going through in the present moment.
- It’s also a common reason many become dependent on substances.
On that note, the following pointers for ending a boredom-induced alcohol habit are for those who want to take their health, diet, and fitness to the next level. This can lead to increased anxiety, depression, and stress when not drinking, which might make sober times feel particularly empty or boring. When you’re drinking out of boredom, that easy ‘high’ can feel like an effective solution to the dullness or lack of stimulation that’s bothering you. Facing your unhappy thoughts can be overwhelming, and https://ecosoberhouse.com/ it’s natural to need a break or a distraction from time to time.
More articles on sobriety:
If you ever sit down to do that math, you will shock yourself with how much time went towards drinking. Now that you know the chemical reason for your boredom, let’s explore additional factors that might be contributing to these feelings. Alcohol robs you of the ability to feel alcoholism symptoms naturally motivated and inspired. The good news is that your brain can adjust and restore balance to your internal world. The longer you stay away from alcohol and give your brain some much-needed TLC, the less you’ll feel like life is dull and uninteresting. That latter experience feeling like everything is gray and dull and lacks meaning?
