Making the decision to quit drinking is never easy. Once you do make the choice and are working hard to not only protect, but progress your sobriety, it is important to acknowledge that there are triggers that will pop up that will make you perhaps question or even reconsider your choice to be sober. Daily stresses can make sobriety difficult; however, another trigger that is very commonly one of the most difficult to control is boredom.
Here are five great and helpful ways control your urges when boredom strikes:
- Keep your days scheduled and structured
Scheduling your time to ensure you have little to no down-time, especially in the early days of your recovery can help eliminate boredom. It is very likely that prior to choosing this new path of sobriety, having a drink or many drinks was a common occurrence. - Don’t allow any alcohol into your home
It is your choice to stop allowing any type of alcohol or substance into your house once you are in recovery. By making this choice it makes it that much harder to pick up a drink or resort to old behaviours when there is nothing else to do. - Take up a new hobby
Instead of sitting around doing nothing with all of the free time you now have now that you are not drinking your days away, take up a new hobby to fill the void. Some great new hobbies to try include: painting, journalling, learning a new language or how to play an instrument, hiking, gardening, working out, running or yoga. Your options are limitless when it comes to picking a new hobby, the most important part is that you enjoy it. - Focus on self-care
Self-care is very important for everyone, not only just those that are in recovery. By taking the necessary time to focus on your mental health, you will not only have a better understanding of who you are, but maybe even the reasons you chose to drink in the first place. Once you understand yourself, it is much easier to make conscious decisions to change your behaviours. - Maintain connection with your support group
Having someone to reach out to at any time of day is very important during recovery. Addiction triggers can pop up when you least expect it. Knowing you can connect with someone who not only understands your journey, but can also support you
Making the decision to get sober is a very big decision. It is important to understand the triggers that may arise during your recovery and be prepared as possible to handle them. If you are struggling with addiction and are looking for support to get sober, contact The Farm Rehab today. Our in-patient treatment programs offer individualized plans to help you understand your addiction and the best way to take back control over your life.