How To Break the Boredom-Alcohol Loop

Now that you know the chemical reason for your boredom, let’s explore additional factors that might be contributing to these feelings. The good news is that your brain can adjust and restore balance to your internal world. The longer you stay away from alcohol and give your brain some much-needed TLC, the less you’ll feel like life is dull and uninteresting. Our brains don’t like imbalance and will work very hard to correct it.

Discover your triggers.

Maybe you don’t think you depend on alcohol exactly, but you still wonder whether you might be drinking too much. From month-long sobriety challenges to the Sober Curious movement, more and more people are taking a closer look at the role alcohol plays in their lives. If your body is craving alcohol, you will have to detox. The sudden lack of alcohol in your system can send your body into withdrawal, resulting in various symptoms. A doctor can assess whether your body can safely manage the withdrawal process or if you’ll need medical monitoring and assistance. It’s what you do to unwind after a long day with the kids.

Reach out for support

On the morning of Dec 23, 2013, after another night of heavy drinking and reckless behavior, I finally admitted to myself that I had a drinking problem. If you follow these tips, you’ll finally be able to get your drinking under control. Reframe supports you in reducing alcohol consumption and enhancing your well-being. So, when we’re bored and our brain is looking for that dopamine hit, it can often recall that alcohol was a past source of reward.

1. This option may not be for everyone, so consulting with a healthcare professional is essential to decide if it’s right for you.
2. But I’m going to explore solutions for people who sit at various points along the “sobriety is so boring” spectrum.
3. So seek the help of other, non-judgy supportive people to help you stop drinking out of boredom.
4. However, boredom drinking can result in a damaging cycle that is difficult to break and can negatively impact ongoing mental health.

Kathleen was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, but spent half of her life in California. She holds a master’s in clinical psychology with an emphasis on marriage and family therapy. Additionally, she has a master’s in holistic wellness and is trained in EMDR therapy for both in-person and virtual settings. Kathleen has more than 15 years of experience treating people who have a substance use disorder. Early sobriety is a critical period when community and support networks are critical. This can be hard if your social life previously revolved around drinking.

Quitting Alcohol Timeline: What Happens When You Stop Drinking?

Located in beautiful Orange County, California, our addiction treatment center offers a peaceful environment for healing and personal growth. One of the best ways to combat boredom is to surround yourself with like-minded individuals by planning sober get-togethers. Socializing without the presence of substances reinforces your commitment to sobriety and builds a supportive community around you.

If you’ve created an entire social life around drinking, it is natural to be afraid of life without how to stop drinking out of boredom it. Reflect on your drinking patterns and keep track of them to identify your boredom drinking triggers. With self-awareness, you’ll be better equipped to understand and address your habits. 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.

About 20% of Americans with an anxiety or mood disorder such as depression have an alcohol or other substance use disorder. 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.