Begin by reducing your drinking to the standard guidelines of no more than two drinks per day (for men) or one per day (for women). If this is unrealistic, it’s best to seek professional help immediately. Fortunately, groups of people are frequently available to aid those in addiction recovery. To overcome the power of boredom, a person must become more active in their recovery. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to overcome boredom in sobriety.

“Almost alcoholic” is a term that refers to individuals who skirt the boundaries of having a drinking problem. It’s the fine line at which point a person may cross over from casual drinking into having an alcohol use disorder. An almost alcoholic drinking out of boredom may engage in activities such as drinking out of boredom or alone. Knowing how to identify the signs of heading toward alcoholism can allow you or a loved one to seek treatment and recover. “That’s becoming a real turning point”, she told Goodto.

Why Comparing Yourself to Others in Recovery is a Losing Game

Boredom is an enemy in sobriety but there are several ways you can fill your time with healthy, productive activities. Let’s learn why boredom is the enemy and what you can do to squash it. Taking time off from work because you’re hungover or secretly drinking while you’re at work could be signs of a problem. It’s also important to consider whether drinking is affecting your physical or mental health.

• Exercise releases endorphins and “feel-good” chemicals, such as serotonin, and can alleviate anxiety and stress.
• The very things you should be doing to feel better require a level of motivation you might not be able to fathom.
• Learning healthy coping skills, unfortunately, is not as intuitive as it might seem.
• When you are in recovery from alcohol or drugs, your life becomes a blank canvas and you can paint whatever picture you want.
• Therefore, taking care of one’s mental health is an essential aspect of avoiding eating out of boredom.
• In the world of non-drinkers, non-alcoholic beers, wines and spirits are VERY controversial.

Keep in mind the reasons you chose to cut back on or quit alcohol. Satisfying hobbies can distract you from wanting to drink, but they also help you relax — something everyone needs to do. Turner notes the importance of bringing along a trusted support person when attending events that involve alcohol. It’s often easier to turn down a drink when you don’t have to do it alone.

Step Three: Keep a Journal to Track Your Drinking Habits

It clears my head, let’s me think, presents answers to questions that would never come when I’m sat at my desk. I listen to audio books or podcasts while I’m walking, I get too restless to do that while I’m sat at home. I’m breathing fresh air, getting exercise, and a change of environment. The great news is that you now have many options, an endless supply of options.

• For example, if you want to travel abroad in the next year maybe get a second job to start saving for that trip, begin looking at flights, hotels, attractions in that area, and plan.
• This record can also be useful if and when you take that initial step to seek treatment, as your healthcare team will have access to valuable information.
• If a person is newly sober and feeling bored, they could look to substance use a way to cure boredom and increase excitement in their life.
• Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are noticeable as early as six hours after cessation.
• Maybe you don’t think you depend on alcohol exactly, but you still wonder whether you might be drinking too much.

Before joining Goodto.com she was also a Features Editor at MSN UK and Digital Lifestyle Editor for the broadcaster UKTV. She’s also contributed to The Mirror, The Sun, LoveFood, LoveExploring, and TBSeen. 28 days 
More of a rom-com than a serious look at alcohol addiction, this is a more light-hearted transformation film. After destroying her sister’s wedding, Sandra Bullock’s character https://ecosoberhouse.com/ is forced to confront her issue with alcohol, then enters rehab and comes out 28 days later. Drinkers Like Me – with Adrian Chiles
I’m sure so many social drinkers will empathise with Adrian Chiles in this very honest and entertaining documentary. He looks at how his habitual drinking has crept up dramatically over the years, to the point where he can’t imagine enjoying life without it.

Healthy Hobbies to Replace Drinking

Any outreach and connection will help you get outside of yourself and will dash away boredom. SMART and AA offer both meetings along with 24/7 recovery chat and message boards. The longer your thoughts go untethered, the more likely they’ll venture to a dangerous place. To stay sober, you must keep yourself and your thoughts occupied.