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If you want to change something, you first need to understand what it is. This might be a bit uncomfortable, as we often drink to reduce the noise of our own thoughts. But if you can spend time with those thoughts, you will be better prepared to make changes that can positively affect them. Andy explains how a straightforward, 7-stage process enabled him to change a lifelong addiction to alcohol. 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 .
What is it called living without alcohol?
Teetotalism is the practice or promotion of total personal abstinence from the consumption of alcohol, specifically in alcoholic drinks. A person who practices (and possibly advocates) teetotalism is called a teetotaler or teetotaller, or is simply said to be teetotal.
The best way to get outside of your own head and boredom is by helping someone else which is why we recommend volunteering. Volunteering could be spending your whole weekend assisting low-income campers or it could simply be stacking chairs at your favorite 12-step meeting. Volunteering helps fill in stretches of boredom, helps you think about others, and can help you get a great night’s sleep.
Why Comparing Yourself to Others in Recovery is a Losing Game
When we’ve quit drinking, alcohol is no longer a choice. It cannot be part of our decision making process any more. When we get bored, drinking is not one of the options we have to relieve that boredom. If you’re reevaluating your relationship with alcohol and have decided that drinking isn’t working in your life anymore I’d love to talk to you.
- Instead of taking a drink to calm anxiety, try affirmations, deep breathing, or meditation.
- You can take part in the same hobbies you enjoyed before addiction or learn something new.
- And that started months and months before I started drinking, so it’s not the alcohol that made it that way.
- When you’re having a good time, you find it hard to stop, especially in the company of friends having the same amount.
Finally, when nothing seems satisfying, try setting a drinking because of boredom [5]r for 10 minutes or so and sticking with an activity for the whole time, even if it feels tedious and pointless at first. Many activities, especially complex and productive activities, take a certain amount of effort and focus for them to be engaging. It may take a few minutes to get into a novel you’re reading or to remember where you left off on a project. They may also help you discover alternative coping skills to deal with uncomfortable feelings since you said you drink to cope with things like loneliness and boredom. If you have other coping skills you can reach for you, you may be less likely to turn to alcohol to help you regulate your feelings. Becoming more aware of your alcohol triggers and reasons for drinking can help you plan ways to help manage the urge to drink. Say you don’t have any cravings when you go without drinking.
What to Do When Sobriety Gets Boring
Call today to get started on your journey or if you have any questions. Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind. She’s also a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and international bestselling author. Her books, including „13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do,“ have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk, „The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong,“ is one of the most viewed talks of all time. A therapist can assess your habits and make recommendations that could help you manage your alcohol intake. There are many places where you can support from other people.
