I am struggling with being bored in recovery and I

I am struggling with being bored in recovery and I end up getting sad a lot. I often miss my old life when I would work all day and go out in the city drinking all night. Life gets kinda boring when I’m sober. I don’t want to drink nor do I miss it, but sometimes I crave some excitement.

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And I get depressed a lot. I like feeling up and happy. I don’t typically get like that when I’m sober.

Hi Ashley, boredom is a part of our addictive brains attempt at getting us to drink ….reach out to people at the meetings…they would love to hear from you….get to a meeting and get acquainted with people there….this kills boredom and surrounds you with like minded people..Keith Kayle

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I understand

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I understand you completely. My biggest problem is I'm alone. Nobody to really talk to so I read alot. But I'm ok with it. I'm learning who I am.

Dealing with same thing right now!! So you are not alone. It’s the habit unfortunately. We got use to that routine for happiness so have to stay strong and find happiness in other activities.

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I’ve noticed that! I’ve been going to meetings every night and I always feel better after I go!

I live in a recovery house so I’m constantly around people. I tend to isolate so it’s prolly good for me.

I agree! It’s hard. I’m in a recovery house now so part of me thinks I should be going out with them a lot but it’s also hard because I’m used to socializing while drinking. Trying to challenge myself to be comfortable with a group of people completely sober.

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I understand. Try and make a routine for yourself so you can expect what you’ll be doing with your time. Yoga, going on nature walks, volunteering, taking a dance or art class or whatever interests you, reading, the gym, arts and crafts, even movie time. It has helped me tons to make myself a routine and over time I know get excited for aroma therapy and yoga time. Im lazy so i’ve blocked in bed and tv time lol. I thrive with a routine! I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and since medication, i don’t get intrusive suicidal thoughts, i don’t see the world in a negative light anymore. I feel happy doing thing and motivated. Maybe look into core issues and what’s really causing you to feel the need to cope with boredom by drinking alcohol. Intensive outpatient treatment (group therapy) is a wonderful resource. I learned about addiction and how my mind thinks. It’s our thinking that’s messed up.
hope any of what i said helps!
(っ'-')╮=͟͟͞͞ :email: dm me you got a sober friend in me !!

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I deal with this on the daily n it drives me nutts

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That is the only way this works Ashlyn! Keep doing exactly that and growth and healing WILL happen! Keith Kayle

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To me “boredom” is the energy i didnt have before to get the things i need to get done done. Also helps to have a hobby. Mine is astrophotography.

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Thank you! I’ve been trying that. I have borderline personality disorder and bipolar so I did some DBT therapy and they taught me to always do what you don’t want to do when you’re depressed. So if you want to lay in bed go for a walk and it seems to help! Thanks for your advice!!

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I like that! Thank you!

A great friend helped me out with this. It actually takes a lot of energy to be (put whatever adjective here). Turn it into productive energy. There is more to it than that, but its a start :slight_smile:

Go to the gym. Take a class. Read a book. Go for a hike.
Look for groups/clubs in your area. You will meet new people. Receive positive energy. I had good advice to “get out of my head”. The past is the past. Don’t dwell on it. Think positive and move forward. We’re all here for each other. One day - one moment - at a time

I read, color, hike, bike,work out,etc. Doing things that I want to do. When you discover things you want to do and things that make you happy, you hopefully will be a little less bored.

Sometimes what can help is doing something totally different from your usual routine. I've hit that wall too and get bored a lot now that I've come down off my pink cloud. Doing something outside my norm like going for a walk, trying a new hobby, or even just hanging out with friend helps a lot. Meetings are great, especially since you say you always feel good after them. You can never go wrong hitting up a meeting. Anything that'll give you a little bit of a dopamine boost will help. Just not drinking or drugs of course lol.

The best part of getting sober/clean, for me, is how uneventful my life has become. No more is my life full of drama, drama that I always created. No more is it like a tornado I constantly have to clean up. No more am I drowning in my mess. Yes, I am kind a bored, yet, I love my life like this.. it’s peaceful. I wouldn’t have it any other way.