That’s why we might find ourselves reaching for a drink when we’re simply sitting and not doing much. 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.
Practicing Mindfulness and Stress Management Techniques
In your mind, sobriety means giving up a large part of this social life and all of the people you drink with. You may not think about this constantly, but it’s in the back of every drinker’s mind. It’s one of the things that all recovering alcoholics warn you about.
There are various strategies available to help you overcome boredom drinking and maintain a sober lifestyle in 2024. It doesn’t help that although alcohol may be the world’s most commonly accepted drug, it’s also regularly left off the list of drugs that negatively impact people’s lives. When you’re triggered by experiences like boredom or isolation, the accessibility of alcohol makes it that much harder to refrain from drinking to cope with these difficult feelings. By participating in therapy and counseling services, you can develop the skills and support necessary to overcome boredom drinking and maintain a healthier lifestyle.
He’d just how to stop drinking out of boredom finished uni, so for him this level of drinking was pretty normal. “We used to regularly neck whole bottles of wine in first year,” he says. But after noticing that he was feeling regularly low and fatigued, he decided it was time to cut down. When 22-year-old Jake noticed that he was drinking five to six days a week, he initially didn’t see any problem.
Americans Are Drinking More Alcohol Than Ever
Various addiction treatment programs are available for those struggling with alcohol use disorder and boredom drinking. These programs should address substance use and any underlying co-occurring mental health disorders to ensure the most successful outcome. The best approach to treatment includes access to follow-up therapy, management of skills, group or peer support, strategies to prevent relapse and prescribed medications if needed. Such a comprehensive treatment is most effective in achieving recovery. Replacing boredom drinking with enjoyable and fulfilling activities can help you maintain a healthier lifestyle and improve your mental health.
Outside of work, she’s a devotee of Krishna, and her friends call her Karunya Shakti, which means compassionate energy. She enjoys singing and dancing in kirtan and reading ancient Vedic literature like the Bhagavad Gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam. If she weren’t so damn good at her job, she says she would probably be an electrical engineer. Originally from Boca Raton, Florida, Danny moved to Denver to study at the University of Colorado and earned a master’s degree in counseling. Danny spent the first nine years of his career working in youth residential treatment.
Even if alcohol isn’t enjoyable to you, the socialization ritual surrounding it is. Since everyone in the social environment drinks, you’ll automatically feel pressure to drink. Sobriety terrified me, but ruining my life scared me more.
- Also, consider giving back along your recovery journey.
- Arriving to the function completely off your face isn’t a huge vibe, anyway.
- Located in beautiful Orange County, California, our addiction treatment center offers a peaceful environment for healing and personal growth.
- When you feel a craving coming on, assess what’s around you and what you’re feeling.
- In her personal life, Karlie likes reading sci-fi and fantasy and going to Marvel movies.
In Network Providers
In 2023, Jordan joined the clinical team at AspenRidge Recovery. Danny specializes in brainspotting and reality therapy. Danny has extensive experience in effectively treating incidental and complex trauma. He further describes his approach as science-driven, constantly reviewing the latest literature and theory.
It’s very common for people, especially those with additional mental health issues like depression and anxiety, to drink out of boredom. Many people claim that they drink for the totally opposite reason – they find themselves drinking out of boredom. Here are some tips to stop drinking alcohol out of boredom. Exercise is a powerful way to rebuild your body in recovery and a healthy coping skill.
Make a plan for when cravings kick in.
This will help you regain control of your life and improve your overall mental health and well-being. Engaging in new hobbies and interests is an excellent way to fill your time and create a sense of fulfillment without alcohol. These activities can help you stay busy, improve your mental health, and provide a healthier alternative to boredom drinking. Recognizing and addressing personal triggers that lead to boredom drinking is crucial for maintaining a sober lifestyle.
