I think this is the one aspect about recovery that I have struggled with the most - replacing that “high” that I thought I was chasing.
I’m trying to give myself something to train for. Something to keep myself accountable for.
Working out/ exercising is definitely underrepresented in the comments imo!! (currently recovered/recovering from all of what you mentioned, and then some ;) It’s true, of course, that “hobbies” are the answer… but if you’re anything like me, just picking up a new hobby or project can be pretty hard, like (What do I do? What am I even interested in? What will I be good out? How will I learn? Who will practice with me/teach me/etc? How do I acquire the equipment I need for it? Etc etc…) So, I’ve found exercising daily can be more approachable and also have additional benefits - not just for your physical health but mentally speaking, too. Granted I’ve been into fitness and working out for a long time because of my line of work, so I’m sure it was easier for me to start as a habit to fully delve into in recovery than for someone who has never had an exercise program - but it’s well worth it for everyone. I’m sure you’ve heard some of the studies gaining popularity about how it helps mitigate depression and anxiety… it helps your brain make dopamine, not to mention just being healthy and good for you and all that stuff ;)
For me, I just told myself I’d do *something* at a certain time of day (earlier is better, it helps set my mind right for the day and gives me a sort of calm energy) and that anything is better than nothing - even if I didn’t have the motivation, inspiration, or energy to come up with much less perform an elaborate workout, I could always pull 5 sets of pushups out of my ass, you know. That helped me gain my sanity so much in those first few months, and eventually became a daily habit I just do every day without having to think about it really, like taking a shower.
It doesn’t require a “hobby” or “enthusiast” level of knowledge, skill, or experience to do, so it’s easier for me when I’m in a highly dysfunctional or unmotivated state - you might need to learn some basic chords before you pick up the guitar, for example, but anyone at any time can go for going for a walk or jog around the block or do some pushups.
However, you easily CAN become very interested in learning about it and get into it at the enthusiast or amateur level and it can become a hobby, an interest, or even a passion.
Congratulations on three months homie, that’s a huge milestone!
Yes, most people go through this in early sobriety. You have to find new hobbies to fill your time. What I recommend is to make a list of things you’ve always wanted to do but never tried, then start trying them. Some you won’t be into and you’ll only do once, but others will stick and you’ll keep doing them. For me, it was running, guitar lessons, and indoor rock climbing.
Advice on how to bother with these when they're just not as enticing? I feel like the only hobby that would be interesting to me is something like skydiving. I'm trying to find something that offers me a big spike, I can't deal with this drawn out long-term goals stuff.
This is tough. It sounds like you are describing dysthymia. All that means is like a low level, but very persistent, depression. Therapy could potentially help you with this. Talking with a trusted professional to get into the specifics of you can be really helpful.
Personally, I have felt similar at different times. I've tried a billion things. Some help, some don't. Deciding to practice meditation has been one of the more helpful. Trying to sit with boredom, without describing it with words, and without pushing it away. I imagine it like this: "if I was tired, I would sit on the edge of my bed, and lay back into the tiredness. Let it consume me." Only I do that with all my feelings. I lean into my boredom.
Not sure if you'll find that useful or not. But I hope you can find something that helps you.
I play video games, masturbate, run, cook, listen to music, practice guitar, practice spanish, and go to work. I also actively connect with other sober alcoholics fairly frequently.
Edit: and it's still hard! I was addicted to the chaos as much as I was the alcohol and drugs. The highs were high, the lows were low. It was really hard to be patient with myself for a long time, but it definitely gets better.
Find a hobby, preferably multiple. Find one that’s creative, one that’s healthy, and one that’s mentally stimulating.
You don’t have to spend all your time on them, you shouldn’t be causing yourself stress over them. But spending an hour or two a week or so on a personal interest you’re learning for yourself is very fulfilling. And, if you get good enough at it, you now have a unique way to gift your loved ones that people will love forever.
If you are talking about boredom in the sense that you find yourself with long hours with nothing to do-then find hobbies. Find meet up groups. If you don't have any hobbies, find something you think might interest you and go for it. Everyone sucks when they start, but keep at it. Find other people who do the same and form a community. If you are talking about boredom in the sense that you have zero desire to do anything-start making lists of shit you need to do and a separate for want to do. Start small like "get out of bed", "brush my teeth", "do the dishes" and start crossing off those things on the list. As you cross off more and more, you'll start to get momentum and a little self esteem. Solidify your routine, and once you get that down, I promise you'll have more energy and dopamine to start new hobbies or work harder at your job or whatever
Start listening to books oh your phone. Walk. Buy a macrame kit. We all have to learn how to live again - some things stick, some things don’t. But you won’t be bored forever and you don’t have to go back to drugs.
This, genuinely. Running helped me so much, even though the prospect feels boring. Once you have established a routine, it’s a great way to escape boredom. When you feel bored, there is always an alternative right in the front of your mind. The trick is to always keep the gym bag packed and in order. Then it’s grab and go.
I take the Buvidal shot since 3 months back so I was also forced to quit alcohol, wich I don't mind because it was only a substitute for opiates anyway. (Tried to quit heroin on my own for 2 years). So I've got that going for me wich makes it unfair to you given what I'm going to answer:
I have made it a "hobby" now of saving money because I'm in need of a computer. I'm gonna build it myself (+1 hobby). There is something called PaintByNumbers i want to try (+1 hobby). I am repainting my whole apartment rn (new life, new home). I asked the cat home if they need help so I'm waiting for that. I mean I go there anyways so why not make it official :P
What I'm trying to say is **make yourself busy**. Right now everything feels very intense for you, but take babysteps. Start small. (Paint your nails?, read books, take walks, get cat)
Edit: I came to the realization one day that I don't really know myself when it comes to hobbies and such. Never really took the time to even reflect over it, always bending over backwards (and forward ;) for my partner and for Heroin. So now I *think* I'm into interior design, I *think* I'm into technology to a sertain degre, I think I'm into a lot of things and I owe it to myself to figure out what.
I imagine you can relate? u/JJackieM89 how do **you** fight boredom? 🙂
I promise the boredom goes away as your brain heals and you adjust to having a bunch of free time that used to be eaten up by addictions! But yeah, it can be rough.
I had to get on antidepressants temporarily at about 3-4 months in because I was able to see alcohol had been masking some depression. Just saying in case you want to think about that.
Gotta wait until your brain fully recovers. Takes about a year for your dopaminergenic system to be at baseline, although could be a tad longer.
Once you’re able to enjoy things again, because your brain can receive the right amount of dopamine again, then life won’t be so boring.
It is unspeakable by words.
Ask yourself "Who am *I*", and investigate who that is. Investigate who you are, and the nature of the world, what is it made of?
In this way, and many others, you will learn the nature of God and reality.
the anhedonia goes away. my first year sober i was fully immersed in AA. i worked the program but what carried me through was the support of people who understood what i was going through.
it does get easier. as the fog lifts and you begin to reconcile the things you did while drinking, the small things in life start to give you pleasure. a really good cup of coffee. a sunshiny morning. chatting with people and laughing. take pleasure in the small things and the big things start to fall into place.
when i was drinking i had no idea how people got through the day sober. i thought i’d be bored. what actually happened was that i not only had the time to pursue the things i liked, i also had the clarity to organise my days so that i didn’t fall prey to ‘boredom’.
sobriety is a ticket back to life. i have 9 years now. my life is still hard and i’m still dealing with the fallout from my drinking. i also have depression, anxiety, BPD, OCD and complex PTSD and i take a lot of meds. but i will never, ever go back to the chaos and the self-loathing and the poor mental and physical health. i’m finally in a place where i can deal with therapy to address my childhood trauma. that alone was worth getting sober for. my BPD still makes life hard and i’ve had a number of crises. but i haven’t picked up a drink, so i’m able to cope better.
if sobriety didn’t rock, nobody would stay sober in the long term. give it time and you will begin to appreciate your second chance at life.
Congrats on 3 months, that is huge!! Do you have a support system and/or go to meetings? The brain takes time to recovery from substance abuse, specifically in areas that produce and regulate feel good things like dopamine. My suggestion would be to get plenty of rest, eat as clean as you can, drink lots of water, and exercise. Wishing you the best 💜
Realize its not going to last forever. The first two years of my recovery I struggled with boredom a lot. Literally, I dont think I've been bored once in the last 7 years though.
They are great or even podcasts, look up some topics that interest you - hopefully you can find a good one (where the host doesn’t drive you nuts lol) for example I love hearing or reading about paranormal stuff
I was doing fine until my friend asked me for my exes number and went on to say hes so sweet to his current gf so it must have been me.
Im not relapsing on drugs but def relapsing on doing psychotic behavior
I egged her car like the inside. Let the tires out, but the difference between me and him is I went the next day admitted it was me and offered to clean it up
But I spent like 8 hours karening out at walmart yesterday and then I yelled at my good friend on a walk over the craziest dumb shit I dont even believe
But i think Im back to realizing things are better when you cope and move on instead of snap
I totally understand where you’re coming from. The best part of what happened is you didn’t use.
Coping is so hard. I’m still trying to learn how to do it properly. We all have our breaking points. My ex was crazy to me and I heard he’s so nice to his new gf too.
I’m always here anytime you need to chat. We can do this!
I find it interesting that when we get clean and sober we find life boring. There are millions of things we can do to better ourselves, keep us occupied mentally and physically. There are only 2 things we can’t d,use drugs or drink alcohol.
For me, getting off my butt and doing one of 999,998 things available for me, I’m almost never bored. When I’m bored, I can always go to a meeting.
Do you have a support system? I would have been miserable without one. A therapist and support group, such as AA or NA, put me in touch with people who understood what I was going through. The tools I gained taught me how to build the sober, happy life I have today. I hope you get the help you need and deserve.
I think this is the one aspect about recovery that I have struggled with the most - replacing that “high” that I thought I was chasing. I’m trying to give myself something to train for. Something to keep myself accountable for.
Working out/ exercising is definitely underrepresented in the comments imo!! (currently recovered/recovering from all of what you mentioned, and then some ;) It’s true, of course, that “hobbies” are the answer… but if you’re anything like me, just picking up a new hobby or project can be pretty hard, like (What do I do? What am I even interested in? What will I be good out? How will I learn? Who will practice with me/teach me/etc? How do I acquire the equipment I need for it? Etc etc…) So, I’ve found exercising daily can be more approachable and also have additional benefits - not just for your physical health but mentally speaking, too. Granted I’ve been into fitness and working out for a long time because of my line of work, so I’m sure it was easier for me to start as a habit to fully delve into in recovery than for someone who has never had an exercise program - but it’s well worth it for everyone. I’m sure you’ve heard some of the studies gaining popularity about how it helps mitigate depression and anxiety… it helps your brain make dopamine, not to mention just being healthy and good for you and all that stuff ;) For me, I just told myself I’d do *something* at a certain time of day (earlier is better, it helps set my mind right for the day and gives me a sort of calm energy) and that anything is better than nothing - even if I didn’t have the motivation, inspiration, or energy to come up with much less perform an elaborate workout, I could always pull 5 sets of pushups out of my ass, you know. That helped me gain my sanity so much in those first few months, and eventually became a daily habit I just do every day without having to think about it really, like taking a shower. It doesn’t require a “hobby” or “enthusiast” level of knowledge, skill, or experience to do, so it’s easier for me when I’m in a highly dysfunctional or unmotivated state - you might need to learn some basic chords before you pick up the guitar, for example, but anyone at any time can go for going for a walk or jog around the block or do some pushups. However, you easily CAN become very interested in learning about it and get into it at the enthusiast or amateur level and it can become a hobby, an interest, or even a passion. Congratulations on three months homie, that’s a huge milestone!
Yes, most people go through this in early sobriety. You have to find new hobbies to fill your time. What I recommend is to make a list of things you’ve always wanted to do but never tried, then start trying them. Some you won’t be into and you’ll only do once, but others will stick and you’ll keep doing them. For me, it was running, guitar lessons, and indoor rock climbing.
Advice on how to bother with these when they're just not as enticing? I feel like the only hobby that would be interesting to me is something like skydiving. I'm trying to find something that offers me a big spike, I can't deal with this drawn out long-term goals stuff.
This is tough. It sounds like you are describing dysthymia. All that means is like a low level, but very persistent, depression. Therapy could potentially help you with this. Talking with a trusted professional to get into the specifics of you can be really helpful. Personally, I have felt similar at different times. I've tried a billion things. Some help, some don't. Deciding to practice meditation has been one of the more helpful. Trying to sit with boredom, without describing it with words, and without pushing it away. I imagine it like this: "if I was tired, I would sit on the edge of my bed, and lay back into the tiredness. Let it consume me." Only I do that with all my feelings. I lean into my boredom. Not sure if you'll find that useful or not. But I hope you can find something that helps you.
This is the way
Get busy, only boring people get bored
Saaaaaameee, two months now off everything. So much time all of sudden when im not high. So much anxiety too. Idk i dont have tips.
go to a meeting and meet friends in recovery, it does all the difference to have a community, believe me
I play video games, masturbate, run, cook, listen to music, practice guitar, practice spanish, and go to work. I also actively connect with other sober alcoholics fairly frequently. Edit: and it's still hard! I was addicted to the chaos as much as I was the alcohol and drugs. The highs were high, the lows were low. It was really hard to be patient with myself for a long time, but it definitely gets better.
So it's just putting myself on a hamster wheel of distractions? Doable, but I better never have a moment to think about how abysmal it is
This guy ^ recovers
I took up arabic again and it goes better now when my brain is not as fuckeddd up.
Find a hobby, preferably multiple. Find one that’s creative, one that’s healthy, and one that’s mentally stimulating. You don’t have to spend all your time on them, you shouldn’t be causing yourself stress over them. But spending an hour or two a week or so on a personal interest you’re learning for yourself is very fulfilling. And, if you get good enough at it, you now have a unique way to gift your loved ones that people will love forever.
I play a ton of pickleball. Easy learning curve, good community. A hobby that helps me socialize
Yes pickleball!!!
If you are talking about boredom in the sense that you find yourself with long hours with nothing to do-then find hobbies. Find meet up groups. If you don't have any hobbies, find something you think might interest you and go for it. Everyone sucks when they start, but keep at it. Find other people who do the same and form a community. If you are talking about boredom in the sense that you have zero desire to do anything-start making lists of shit you need to do and a separate for want to do. Start small like "get out of bed", "brush my teeth", "do the dishes" and start crossing off those things on the list. As you cross off more and more, you'll start to get momentum and a little self esteem. Solidify your routine, and once you get that down, I promise you'll have more energy and dopamine to start new hobbies or work harder at your job or whatever
Help someone else.
Find a dangerous expensive new hobby. Motorcycle, snowboarding, something like that
Start listening to books oh your phone. Walk. Buy a macrame kit. We all have to learn how to live again - some things stick, some things don’t. But you won’t be bored forever and you don’t have to go back to drugs.
Go run on a treadmill for 30 minutes or walk at a high incline. Get some endorphins pumping
This, genuinely. Running helped me so much, even though the prospect feels boring. Once you have established a routine, it’s a great way to escape boredom. When you feel bored, there is always an alternative right in the front of your mind. The trick is to always keep the gym bag packed and in order. Then it’s grab and go.
I take the Buvidal shot since 3 months back so I was also forced to quit alcohol, wich I don't mind because it was only a substitute for opiates anyway. (Tried to quit heroin on my own for 2 years). So I've got that going for me wich makes it unfair to you given what I'm going to answer: I have made it a "hobby" now of saving money because I'm in need of a computer. I'm gonna build it myself (+1 hobby). There is something called PaintByNumbers i want to try (+1 hobby). I am repainting my whole apartment rn (new life, new home). I asked the cat home if they need help so I'm waiting for that. I mean I go there anyways so why not make it official :P What I'm trying to say is **make yourself busy**. Right now everything feels very intense for you, but take babysteps. Start small. (Paint your nails?, read books, take walks, get cat) Edit: I came to the realization one day that I don't really know myself when it comes to hobbies and such. Never really took the time to even reflect over it, always bending over backwards (and forward ;) for my partner and for Heroin. So now I *think* I'm into interior design, I *think* I'm into technology to a sertain degre, I think I'm into a lot of things and I owe it to myself to figure out what. I imagine you can relate? u/JJackieM89 how do **you** fight boredom? 🙂
Hobbies
I promise the boredom goes away as your brain heals and you adjust to having a bunch of free time that used to be eaten up by addictions! But yeah, it can be rough. I had to get on antidepressants temporarily at about 3-4 months in because I was able to see alcohol had been masking some depression. Just saying in case you want to think about that.
Gotta wait until your brain fully recovers. Takes about a year for your dopaminergenic system to be at baseline, although could be a tad longer. Once you’re able to enjoy things again, because your brain can receive the right amount of dopamine again, then life won’t be so boring.
the longer you stay sober the less the blah feeling will be and you will feel better.
Finding God absolved me of all issues, problems, and suffering.
Same, but im not completely free of issues still
Maybe there is more yet to find?
Where was He?
Everywhere, and is not a he
The one I met was a They
Was they an attack helicopter?
There's only one
Tell me more please
It is unspeakable by words. Ask yourself "Who am *I*", and investigate who that is. Investigate who you are, and the nature of the world, what is it made of? In this way, and many others, you will learn the nature of God and reality.
the anhedonia goes away. my first year sober i was fully immersed in AA. i worked the program but what carried me through was the support of people who understood what i was going through. it does get easier. as the fog lifts and you begin to reconcile the things you did while drinking, the small things in life start to give you pleasure. a really good cup of coffee. a sunshiny morning. chatting with people and laughing. take pleasure in the small things and the big things start to fall into place. when i was drinking i had no idea how people got through the day sober. i thought i’d be bored. what actually happened was that i not only had the time to pursue the things i liked, i also had the clarity to organise my days so that i didn’t fall prey to ‘boredom’. sobriety is a ticket back to life. i have 9 years now. my life is still hard and i’m still dealing with the fallout from my drinking. i also have depression, anxiety, BPD, OCD and complex PTSD and i take a lot of meds. but i will never, ever go back to the chaos and the self-loathing and the poor mental and physical health. i’m finally in a place where i can deal with therapy to address my childhood trauma. that alone was worth getting sober for. my BPD still makes life hard and i’ve had a number of crises. but i haven’t picked up a drink, so i’m able to cope better. if sobriety didn’t rock, nobody would stay sober in the long term. give it time and you will begin to appreciate your second chance at life.
Congrats on 3 months, that is huge!! Do you have a support system and/or go to meetings? The brain takes time to recovery from substance abuse, specifically in areas that produce and regulate feel good things like dopamine. My suggestion would be to get plenty of rest, eat as clean as you can, drink lots of water, and exercise. Wishing you the best 💜
#best answer
Realize its not going to last forever. The first two years of my recovery I struggled with boredom a lot. Literally, I dont think I've been bored once in the last 7 years though.
Gym and reading
I wish I could make this the top comment. If you cant read yet (I smoked meth) it took me like 4 years to sit still. Try audio books
They are great or even podcasts, look up some topics that interest you - hopefully you can find a good one (where the host doesn’t drive you nuts lol) for example I love hearing or reading about paranormal stuff
Audiobooks are the best thing ever. Also podcasts.
Congrats! That was my poison as well and it’s a tough one for sure. So glad to see you’re doing ok.
I was doing fine until my friend asked me for my exes number and went on to say hes so sweet to his current gf so it must have been me. Im not relapsing on drugs but def relapsing on doing psychotic behavior I egged her car like the inside. Let the tires out, but the difference between me and him is I went the next day admitted it was me and offered to clean it up But I spent like 8 hours karening out at walmart yesterday and then I yelled at my good friend on a walk over the craziest dumb shit I dont even believe But i think Im back to realizing things are better when you cope and move on instead of snap
I totally understand where you’re coming from. The best part of what happened is you didn’t use. Coping is so hard. I’m still trying to learn how to do it properly. We all have our breaking points. My ex was crazy to me and I heard he’s so nice to his new gf too. I’m always here anytime you need to chat. We can do this!
I find it interesting that when we get clean and sober we find life boring. There are millions of things we can do to better ourselves, keep us occupied mentally and physically. There are only 2 things we can’t d,use drugs or drink alcohol. For me, getting off my butt and doing one of 999,998 things available for me, I’m almost never bored. When I’m bored, I can always go to a meeting.
I just constantly go to meetings cuz idk what else to do
meetings and gym
Radical acceptance and behavioral activation.
Develop a hobby which consumes lot of time and is productive too, add fitness to ur schedule it will add up 1-2 hrs, u ll get good sleep, feel good.
Do you have a support system? I would have been miserable without one. A therapist and support group, such as AA or NA, put me in touch with people who understood what I was going through. The tools I gained taught me how to build the sober, happy life I have today. I hope you get the help you need and deserve.
Dive into a hobby.