Karlie says the best advice ever received is to not fall in love with potential. Fall in love with what is, then work to grow from there. Karlie is originally from Dayton, Ohio, and began her education in psychology at the University of Cincinnati. She participated in research studying ADHD in children, mindfulness and anxiety, and embodied cognition.

We think that everyone around strengths that every activity involves alcohol, because drinking has been our constant companion. It’s what we sit outside on the deck with in the evenings. We read books with it, we go on dates with it, we see friends with it, we have weekends away with it. It is literally our companion for everything a lot of times more than even our best friend or spouse or our kids. So yes, you will feel a void when you remove alcohol. This podcast episode is about feeling bored in sobriety.

• By focusing on eating healthy, nourishing foods, you are actively working on reversing those symptoms.
• Losing relationships to the substance can be challenging but anchoring to others in recovery can be the very thing you need to feel worthy of recovery.
• The reasons people start drinking alcohol are very different from the reasons they continue to drink alcohol.
• In this episode I’m going to talk about all the tips, tricks, suggestions and advice I have to make life without alcohol fun, comforting, interesting and gratifying.
• And if you’re going to drive your own car, and what a Sober Retreat might look like at the end of the night.

Signs of Becoming an Almost Alcoholic

• If you want to access my free video training on how to make stopping drinking effortless and enjoyable, click here.
• Whatever the reason for your boredom, drinking can create a negative cycle around it.
• Here are some tips to stop drinking alcohol out of boredom.
• Eventually, those activities pale in comparison to the boost that drinking gives you.

The association between drinking and having a good time has been perpetuated and promoted for years by companies marketing beer, wine, and spirits. Given the ubiquitous nature of alcohol advertising, you might look forward to having that drink as soon as you walk through the door at home or meet your pals at a bar. You feel more relaxed after that drink and look forward to the reward. Pretty soon, the anticipation starts to happen more frequently. This kind of patterned behavior can lead you down a path toward alcohol addiction. Exercise is a powerful way to rebuild your body in recovery and a healthy coping skill.

In the meantime, the Soberish community is here to support you and help you get there. This is the part where you figure out how to enjoy life without a little something extra to help loosen you up. So now comes the arduous task of learning how to manage the tough stuff without a chemical crutch like alcohol. It’s likely your doctor will order some bloodwork, which can be the start of your path to boredom drinking physical recovery. If nothing else, it starts to chip away at any notion you might have that you’re unworthy.

What Is A Functioning Alcoholic? (Do They Even Exist?)

Starting to drink gradually might be considered normal or appropriate, but it can quickly create a dependence and lead to a severe drinking problem. If you’re drinking out of boredom, read on to learn more about what this means. Warren is a Licensed Master Social Worker, who specializes in substance abuse and mental health treatment. Clinically, Warren has developed a therapeutic skillset that utilizes a strengths-based perspective, Twelve Step philosophies, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.

And I would think about what else I could do with my afternoons and my evenings that didn’t center around wine. And I’ve wandered around there with my daughter. And it gave me what I call an anchor activity for the long days during the pandemic. If I go there at 11am or 2pm, and spend an hour, then I’ve done something, then I’ve seen something that I’m more amused and happy to settle down at the end of the evening and not feel bored. You need to figure out the cheese and crackers sitting in your favorite chair and reading a book. Or is it just fun and fulfilling and it makes you happy without the wine?

Useful Tips To Help You Stay Sober This Thanksgiving

See if there are organisations around you where you could help out, that would love to use your skills and talents. If you always have a bottle open when watching TV, then it quickly becomes a very hard habit to break. This is particularly true if you’ve had a hard day at work or with the kids, and you are tired or stressed out. Soon it can seem weird NOT to have a glass in your hand, even if the rest of you is thinking about something else (or not thinking about very much at all). These stories remind us that boredom isn’t merely a state of inactivity or idleness — it can also be a time for reflection, creativity, and unexpected discovery. Understanding this connection is the first step towards breaking the cycle.

Drinking out of boredom is how some choose to deal with the dull moments life throws at us. Our Treatment Advisors are available 24 hours a day to help you or a loved one access care. We’re ready to make sure you have the support you need to achieve lifelong recovery. Exercise is widely recognized as a natural mood booster and can help combat boredom or depression. Outdoor sports activities such as hiking, biking, and swimming can also provide an opportunity to connect with nature and experience new challenges. After months or years of engaging in addictive behaviors, finding purpose and excitement in everyday life can be difficult.

Tips On How to Remain Positive During Recovery

And I just lay there quietly enjoying life, something I used to do in college, going to parks or around campus, but I never do anymore. I certainly never did, unless there was a beer or a glass of wine in my hand. When I was in very early sobriety, maybe 30 days in, 60 days, and I joined sort of a photo of the day contest. When boredom leads to drinking, people often reach for a drink without realizing the long-term consequences. What starts as an occasional glass of wine or beer to “take the edge off” can quickly become a habitual coping mechanism, making it harder to break free over time.

For resources related to AUD, including how to get support, please visit the NIH website. We’ve also partnered with Moderation Management, a non-profit dedicated to reducing the harm caused by the misuse of alcohol. If “for no reason” pops up frequently in your list, it might help to seek a CBT professional to understand your why in those situations. The American Psychological Association recommends CBT to root out “faulty or unhelpful ways of thinking” that may be driving unhealthy behaviors.

She believes she was probably a rodeo queen in another life and recharges by spending time with friends and family. Justin was born and raised in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he began his clinical education at Colorado State University. He received his bachelor’s in health and exercise science with a concentration in sports medicine and eventually earned a master’s of psychology in addiction counseling. During his time as a therapist, Justin has worked in a residential addiction treatment facility, private practice, and outpatient settings.

In addition, you can also connect with others in recovery through online communities or social media groups. When you surround yourself with like-minded individuals who share your goals, you can feel less alone and more motivated to stay sober. Though boredom in early recovery can be challenging, remember that many before you have figured out how to sustain the changes they want for themselves.

Boredom and binge drinking often go hand-in-hand, as drinking alcohol to pass the time and relieve boredom is a common occurrence. 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. Danny ensures he has as many techniques as possible to help people improve their well-being and achieve their goals. Outside of work, he divides his time between family, basketball, and rock climbing.