How to Stop Drinking Out of Boredom Alcohol Recovery Center

It’s why nothing seems fun or exciting, and you struggle to motivate yourself to have a good time. This is important to remember when thinking about boredom. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America says that alcohol and other substances can worsen anxiety symptoms. About 20% of Americans with an anxiety or mood disorder such as depression have an alcohol or other substance use disorder. Be careful not to become a recluse though as having a strong social circle is really important to have. Once you’ve cleared all the clutter, you could try redecorating your home to celebrate the new alcohol-free you.

The following article is designed to help you identify if you or a loved one may be drinking too much. To start building a better relationship with ourselves, we can try to be more intentional about how and when we drink — or don’t. Wherever you are on the spectrum of sobriety, know that you’re not alone. No matter your reason (pregnancy, mental health, don’t like the taste, or otherwise!), I hope you understand that your experiences are valid. From addiction treatment to aftercare and alums programs to weekly events and meetings, we are committed to helping you every step of the way. Connecting with others in recovery can provide you with a sense of camaraderie, understanding, and accountability.

Your brain needs time to recover.

When we’re bored, the first thing that pops into our minds to alleviate the boredom is alcohol. Drinking to cope with boredom is never a sustainable solution. While it may provide temporary relief, the long-term effects are far more damaging. The cycle of drinking to fill time leads to mental, emotional, and physical challenges that can be hard to reverse. Studies have shown that drinking as a coping mechanism is strongly linked to depression, anxiety, and emotional instability. When combined with the isolation or loneliness that often accompanies boredom, alcohol can push people further into mental health issues that require professional help to resolve.

• And it said, if you are brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new Hello.
• Socializing doesn’t have to involve alcohol, and there are many ways to engage with friends, family, or new acquaintances in a sober setting.
• And everyone has history and everyone’s busy.
• We have good weather days and bad weather days.
• Alcohol robs you of the ability to feel naturally motivated and inspired.
• Drinking alcohol is often seen as a very social activity, but in truth for millions of people, it’s the total opposite.

There’s a very fine line between social drinking and problematic drinking, and one could easily lead to the other and cause serious health implications. As a kid, whenever I was bored I would read a book, look for friends to play with, go for a walk, or make up my own games such as kicking rocks on the ground to see how far they could go. 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. If some urges seem to pop up “for no reason,” it might be because there was nothing else in those moments to occupy your mind. Ignoring the harmful effects of alcohol consumption and regularly indulging can have short-term and long-term effects on your health.

• In response, some people seek outlets that are detrimental to their well-being.
• Furthermore, finding reasons to go shopping only to ensure your liquor cabinet is restocked may indicate a drinking habit.
• Say you have downtime on a Saturday afternoon after a challenging week at work.
• I remember the first time I texted someone in sobriety just to say hi, I’m at my son’s baseball game, just wanted to see how you’re doing.
• Just be sure to have a habit of having healthy snacks and non-alcoholic drinks at the table while you play.

Thriving in Sobriety: 7 Tips to Cure Boredom in Recovery

This course is not a 30 day challenge, or a one day at a time approach. Instead, it’s a step-by-step formula for changing your relationship with alcohol. The course will help you turn the decision to stop drinking from your worst case scenario to the best decision of your life. You will sleep better and have more energy, you’ll look better and feel better, you’ll have more patience and less anxiety. And with my approach you won’t feel deprived or isolated in the process. So if you’re interested in learning more about all the details, please go to You can start at any time and I would love to see you in the course.

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If you’re not sure where to start, check out these writing prompts. This is something you can do solo or with friends (even virtually!), and what you make is up to you. Giving yourself something to do with your hands is a helpful deterrent for habitual sipping.

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Each time you drink, you’re having a bit of ‘me time’. Whatever you end up doing to pass the time while in self-isolation, make sure to drink responsibly. Is there anything worse than being stuck at the bar listening to terrible music? But now that we’re all drinking at home, you can finally choose the music you want to listen to. We’ve all been there — especially with global events over the past few years, it’s been all too common for so many of us. With social distancing orders in full effect, many Spring Break plans have been dashed and favorite watering holes are off limits.

The quote is something I had on my vision board when I was quitting drinking, and I still have it on now. It was something I looked at every day, and it inspired me to keep going. And it says, “You’ll need coffee shops and sunsets and road trips, you’ll need airplanes and passports and new songs and old songs.

Tip 1: Get conscious about what’s driving your drinking out of boredom

Sign up for a free quit-drinking webinar today and start your journey toward a sober, more rewarding future. While a drink might provide a brief moment of relief, alcohol is a depressant that drinking out of boredom can have negative effects on mental health over time. People who drink regularly to deal with boredom or other emotions may find that it worsens feelings of anxiety, stress, or depression.

The #1 Fear After Cutting Back on Alcohol—And How to Beat It

You might not want to hear people express concerns about your alcohol consumption or see their disapproving looks. If you drink alone, monitor how often you do this and consider why. If it becomes frequent, try to taper off or contact an alcohol addiction treatment center.