Bored Drinking: How to Defend Against the Sneakiest Trigger

Her journey began with crisis intervention for families, evolving into roles in community counseling, corrections, and residential facilities. A Denver native and lifelong Colorado resident, Megan embarked on her academic journey at the University of Northern Colorado. There, she earned dual bachelor’s degrees before pursuing a master’s degree in psychology.

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One of the best opportunities to practice mindful drinking is Dry January. While the holidays are indulgent, there’s also plenty of downtime (hint, hint) for learning how to deflect urges to drink. As part of your daily “boredom prevention plan,” schedule a reward for not drinking when you otherwise would. One of the best ways to deal with bored drinking is to anticipate it — why is not always easy. Say your main drinking occasion is when you socialize with friends.

Bored Drinking: How to Defend Against the Sneakiest Trigger

If nothing else, it starts to chip away at any notion you might have that you’re unworthy. When I was finished, it was like someone had hit the refresh button on my brain. I could go back and re-read what I wrote and approach it from the perspective of an outside observer. I’ve included this separate from hobbies because I don’t believe that journaling is a hobby. I found myself planning little outings when I got sober because I needed to figure out what it meant to have fun again. If you have a willing friend or family member, take them along.

This will help you regain control of your life and improve your overall mental health and well-being. By implementing these strategies, you can effectively overcome boredom drinking and maintain a healthier lifestyle. Are you tired of drug addiction treatment drinking out of boredom and ready to embrace a sober life in 2024?

• Are you tired of drinking out of boredom and ready to embrace a sober life in 2024?
• Support groups and education programs can also be invaluable in recovery.
• However, this can often lead to overindulgence, resulting in numerous health risks.

Resist Bored Drinking with Sunnyside

Mindfulness practices and stress management techniques can empower you to cope with boredom and negative emotions without turning to alcohol. Practicing mindfulness can help you become more aware of your emotions and triggers, so you can avoid turning to alcohol out of boredom. Stress management techniques can also help you manage difficult situations without alcohol.

How the Brain Forms, Breaks, and Rebuilds Alcohol Associations

It also opens up space to approach your internal world differently. One of the biggest impediments to my sobriety during my relapse days was my inability to avoid getting consumed by emotions. 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. When I quit drinking, I was lucky to have a spouse that supported my decision. Remember, it’s not that sobriety is terrible, but that your brain is trying to grapple with the sudden loss of dopamine.

Alternative Activities to Replace Boredom Drinking

• Her journey began with crisis intervention for families, evolving into roles in community counseling, corrections, and residential facilities.
• For those who didn’t work from home, only 12% were prone to excessive drinking.
• When referring to alcohol addiction, some may conjure up an image of a person consuming multiple daily bottles of low-end vodka and struggling to hold a steady job.
• It all felt normal, even the terrible parts like awful hangovers and hangxiety.
• If you’re having trouble making this change alone, Sunlight Recovery offers programs like individual therapy, group therapy and medical detox to help you with drug and alcohol treatment.

Many people struggle with boredom drinking, but the good news is that there’s a way out. Alcohol addiction rehab programs should address substance use as well as any underlying co-occurring mental health disorders. The most effective treatment provides access to ongoing therapy, skills training, group or peer support, relapse avoidance techniques, and prescribed medications, if necessary. Taking a personalized approach allows many families and individuals the chance to adjust treatment to best suit lifestyle, needs, and long-term goals.

• Sure, having a single drink while alone might not seem like a problem if you eat well and exercise.
• Also know what you are going to drink and select from alcohol alternatives.
• It’s hard to fill that time, especially when dealing with alcohol cravings and triggers.
• If she won the lottery tomorrow, Jill would create a pet sanctuary where the community would unite.
• Exploring creative outlets and learning new skills can be a great way to find fulfillment and combat boredom without relying on alcohol.

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 alcohol rehab tough stuff without a chemical crutch like alcohol. Feeling bored, sad, lonely, or anxious about something are all very human things to feel. By focusing on eating healthy, nourishing foods, you are actively working on reversing those symptoms.

Accept that you are in a transitional phase, which will take time.

In a 2022 survey of Sunnyside members, 5% said boredom triggered them to drink. The only triggers that ranked higher are unwinding after a long day, habit, relieving stress, and celebrating something important. Boredom can indeed lead to cravings for alcohol, but it doesn’t have to be this way. With understanding and a few targeted strategies, you can retrain your brain to seek healthier, more fulfilling ways to escape boredom.

But also, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and get involved in activities around your community. Your friends are out getting drunk, the same as they always do. Meanwhile, you’re at home wondering how many days it would take someone to find your body after you’ve choked on those peanut M&M’s you’ve been knocking back during your latest Netflix binge. That being said, drinking FOMO is real and must be dealt with. Sometimes admitting the truth to yourself is the first step. But it’s comforting to know that you don’t have figure it out on your own.