You’re sidestepping offers for office happy hours or looking away from a friend’s post about a date night with a big wine glass at the bar. Alcoholics Anonymous is free and drinking because of boredom available all over the country. Despite its dreary church hall image, I found the atmosphere in most meetings to be surprisingly convivial and often hilariously funny.

With lower rewards, normal behaviors are less appealing, and people find themselves feeling bored. That unwanted feeling in addiction recovery is boredom, but it is fueled by the impact of substance use in the brain. When someone is new to addiction recovery, they are continually being presented with the people, places and things related to past use. These triggers can create cravings for alcohol and other drugs, which may lead to relapse and continued addiction. Addiction leaves a big hole to fill and if you don’t keep yourself occupied that hole will fill with negative thoughts and actions.

Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

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 when you stop https://ecosoberhouse.com/ drinking, all boredom will instantly be relieved. “Surely if I’m bored without alcohol, then alcohol makes my life less boring” – they think to themselves.

It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. During the day, i’ll consider my vice to be food. I’ll eat greasy pizza slices to avoid during work and eventually get a food coma to knock me out.

Ways to Stop Drinking Out of Boredom

And the truth is that this “just not drinking” thing is your ENTIRE JOB right now. Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind. She’s also a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and international bestselling author. Her books, including “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do,” have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk, “The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong,” is one of the most viewed talks of all time. A therapist can assess your habits and make recommendations that could help you manage your alcohol intake.

At times I’ll think this isn’t a problem, considering i’m only in college… Here at university I’ve met all ranges of individuals who drink or not. Some can sip a small drink throughout an entire night, i’ve come across cute girls that frequent bars in their pursuit of getting totally hammered. For example, my current roommate who is a good friend will have one drink an entire night and this is usually done while he is in his room studying. I admittedly, at night will drink to get a very good buzz going (Hey, at least i’m admitting it).