Sometimes, something as simple as boredom can lead to alcohol or drug abuse. Not knowing what to do in your free time can lead individuals in recovery towards relapse whether they’ve been sober for a long time or only briefly. In fact, boredom is one of the leading triggers of substance use, along with loneliness and hopelessness. If you equate drug use and drinking with excitement, then you might have a hard time finding something fun to do when you’re sober. However, to ensure you or a loved one continues to make a recovery lasting, finding sober fun is vital. Fortunately, there are numerous activities and hobbies that can quite easily take the place of drugs or alcohol.
First, it’s important to remember that there are millions of people around the world who have exciting lives who have never had a drink in their life. There are millions of people who know how to have fun and who have never touched anything close to drugs. Knowing that it’s possible to have fun without drugs and alcohol might open you up to possibilities you haven’t thought of before. Westwind Recovery® can guide you as you establish your life in sobriety.
Ideas for Sober Fun
However, for now, consider the following suggestions for having fun in your recovery:
- Read. Go to the library and create a list of all the books you’d like to read in the areas you find interesting.
- Start a new hobby. Visit a hobby or craft shop in your neighborhood and look for something interesting. You might choose something that you can do continuously. At first, you might have to simply choose any hobby until you find one that you really enjoy.
- Join a gym. Find a gym with people you think you’d like to meet one day. If you’re going to spend more than 3 times per week at the gym, then you’re likely to see familiar faces and form friendships. Obviously, you’ll want these friendships to support your sobriety and not threaten it.
- Join a fan club or a sports league. Depending upon whether you like to play sports or watch them, you might choose to join a fan club and attend local basketball, football, or soccer games. Or you might like to play and in which case, joining a sports league could be fun. No matter where you live, there are often many other men and women who enjoy doing the same thing.
Learning New Skills
Perhaps one of the best ways to have sober fun is by learning a new skill or picking up a hobby. Taking a course on something you like can be a start. You might find something online or offered in your neighborhood. If you want to try a class online, visit the website lynda.com, which offers thousands of courses for a small fee. Also, there are many courses you can take to improve your writing, regardless of whether it’s poetry, lyrics, or prose including fiction or memoir. You might find an online course or a community college near you offering classes on songwriting.
You can learn to play a musical instrument. Most people have always wanted to learn how to play an instrument, such as the guitar or the piano. However, they never end up doing it. If you’re looking for fun that’s sober and free, search for YouTube videos on playing the instrument you like.
Some other options include learning a new language. Almost every library has language learning CD’s that you can borrow for free. Also, you can pick up a sport you’ve always wanted to play. Does windsurfing look interesting to you? What about kayaking or soccer or scuba diving? There is a long list of sports to try.
Westwind Recovery®
These are suggestions for creating a new and sober life. Although you once might have associated having fun with drugs and alcohol, it doesn’t have to be that way anymore. You can be sober and have loads of fun in your life. Allow Westwind Recovery® to help you or a loved one along in recovery. We offer numerous therapy and support programs such as:
- Music therapy
- Art therapy
- Adventure therapy
- Family therapy
So contact us today to explore how we can help make your recovery and sober living a success.
Dr. Deena is the Chief Clinical Officer of Westwind Recovery®, an award-winning outpatient treatment center in Los Angeles where she oversees the clinical and administrative program and treatment methods. Dr. Deena is a doctor of psychology and licensed clinical social worker since 1993. LCSW #20628. Originally from the East Coast, Dr. Deena has worked running treatment centers, worked as a therapist in psychiatric hospitals as well as school settings and currently has a thriving private practice in the LA area. Dr. Deena has appeared regularly on the Dr. Phil Show as an expert since 2003. She has also been featured on many other TV shows, podcasts and has contributed to written publications as well as podcasts.
