Drug and alcohol addiction often go hand in hand with a partying, exciting lifestyle that’s riddled with danger. When people struggling with these addictions think about getting clean and sober, they shudder at the idea of living a boring life, as if their substance use is their only pleasure in life and the key to their salvation from boredom. Even in recovery, it can take time for people who struggled with addiction in the past to realize that there are so many ways to live life and really enjoy it without the help of any substances. Boredom is also extremely dangerous for a person in recovery. Boredom means they have too much time to think about their past, and this reminiscing often leads many of them to relapse. It can also lead to bitterness and anger, and they may justify their substance use again, since sober life isn’t all it’s chalked up to be.
When you’re sober, you have the time, energy and often the resources to try new things. New things don’t have to be expensive things to try. If you’ve never been much into reading, go to the local library and read a new book each month. If you’ve never tried a sport, why not find a local league that plays? Try out a new instrument if a friend has one you want to try, or take up a new hobby, like gardening, cooking or playing a video game you’ve never tried with your spouse. Many things that are now available for you to try would have never allowed someone under the influence to participate, for their own safety and the safety of the other participants. Have you always wanted to take up archery, but were too high or drunk to go to an archery range? Not anymore! A large majority of drugs and alcohol impair you to the point that you were unable to enjoy most things during your addiction, why not pick those hobbies backup now?
Almost anything you can think that you would want to do, you can do it when you’re sober. Life and the activities we have are so vivid and incredible that to try and enjoy them while impaired would be a disservice to yourself. Embrace your clear mind and better health and keep yourself busy.
Addiction can rob you of your health and your dignity. Our 5-week program at The Springboard Center treats the whole person, creating healing in mind, body, and spirit. Bringing together evidence-based treatments and trusted 12-step principles, our best practices create a quality, accessible treatment program serving the Permian Basin and beyond. Call us today for information on our availability: (432) 620-0255
