We were all just sitting around and getting drunk, perfectly content to not really do anything together. It’s why nothing seems fun or exciting, and you struggle to motivate yourself to have a good time. In fact, when you first quit, it feels like everyone in the world is out getting drunk but you. Every month, we launch fun challenges, like Dry/Damp January, Mental Health May, and Outdoorsy June. You won’t want to miss out on the chance to participate alongside fellow Reframers (or solo if that’s more your thing!). Understanding this connection is the first step towards breaking the cycle.

She furthered her education by completing a master’s of science in clinical mental health counseling from Capella University. drinking when bored Additionally, Courtney obtained certificates in Alcohol and Drug Studies and is certified in Branspotting, a clinical treatment technique aiding individuals in processing trauma. Originally from Chino Hills, California, Chanel began her education at Gonzaga University, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Philosophy. She continued her education at the University of Denver and earned a master’s in clinical mental health counseling. Chanel completed internships at AspenRidge during her studies and eventually joined the team as a full-time primary clinician. Some drink for pleasure or at social events, while others find themselves drinking for no reason at all..

Effects of Bored Drinking

1. Often, being bored without alcohol seems intimidating because when there’s no task to put your mind to, you’re forced to notice the things that are making you unhappy.
2. Most people drink in order to fill a void of some sort, e.g. an unhappy relationship, an unfulfilling job, loneliness or feeling bored with your daily routine.
3. Don’t assume people are too busy to see you, all they need is to know that you would like to meet up.

Eating well, staying hydrated, getting physical activity, and not stocking up on alcohol for the winter are other helpful strategies to stop drinking out of boredom. But I PROMISE you, if you keep moving forward, things in your brain will start to click. And one day, it will occur to you that you’re actually happy and enjoying your life. By removing the alcohol and making those necessary lifestyle changes, we increase the chances of becoming people who can enjoy the simple pleasure of life once again. You have to understand what you’re feeling and WHY you’re feeling this way in order to change it.

Learning to identify the triggers to drinking is the first step towards preventing drinking out of boredom. Exercise is a powerful way to rebuild your body in recovery and a healthy coping skill. It’s a way to care for yourself by committing to a practice that releases positive, mood-enhancing endorphins and alleviates stress.

Alternative Activities to Replace Boredom Drinking

One way drinkers try to mitigate their fear is through some insurance or self-imposed barrier. They try to drink only a few beers, not text people under the influence or leave their keys with someone to avoid getting behind the wheel. As part of my commitment to change, I identified alcohol as the main problem and control it. It’s only human to have a fear of making mistakes. Especially big mistakes that cost us our relationships our freedom. So in response to this fear, people do several things.

Sober Activities To Enjoy Instead Of Drinking

Or, cull down your food waste and toss your veggie scraps and ends into the freezer, then make a stock! Let ‘er simmer all day long and enjoy the aromas that come with it. Video chat with someone in a different time zone than you. Stay up late or plan to wake up super early to chat with them and catch up. Explore a new area of town and meet folks through Meetup’s sober activities in your city.

Reach out now and join our supportive

Connecting with a support group can also help you build meaningful relationships with people who understand and can support you in your recovery journey. Planning interactions according to “Sober in Seven” can help reduce feelings of loneliness and prevent reliance on alcohol. Having a list of supportive contacts is beneficial because it can provide you with immediate access to people who will encourage and support you on your journey to recovery.

Alcohol is the response to all of our emotional states. If you grew up in a society where this is the norm, then it’s already an expectation that you’ll drink in response to nearly every situation imaginable. I won’t lie to you and say that it’s guaranteed that you’ll have a large support network.

It’s also responsible for moderating moods and emotions. Serotonin depletion can cause major mood swings and feelings of sadness, anxiety, and irritability. I’ve been where you are, as have thousands of other sober people who had to learn to have a life again after sobriety. Consuming alcohol stimulates the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays a significant role in our brain’s reward system.

Before I started drinking too much, I loved to write. I kept a notebook and pen beside my bed in case I woke up in the middle of the night with a brilliant song lyric or poem. Not on its own, but maybe it starts a conversation and a friend comes over just to sit with you and make sure you’re good. Remember, it’s not that sobriety is terrible, but that your brain is trying to grapple with the sudden loss of dopamine.

Dopamine is like a pat on the back from our brain. It signals a feeling of satisfaction, pleasure, or reward, encouraging us to repeat the behavior that led to this good feeling. Boredom, a state we’ve all experienced, can be a tricky beast. But remember that, scientifically, boredom is an emotion — just like appiness or sadness.