How to Have Fun in Sobriety
Learn More About Yourself and Determine What Makes You Happy
If you have recently become sober, filling your free time with fun activities during and after treatment may seem daunting. You might be wondering, “What next?” Being sober doesn’t mean you can’t have fun, it just means that you will have fun in different ways.
While in recovery, you might still crave activities that make you feel happy and carefree. It is important to remember that most activities will not produce the same kind of serotonin and dopamine rush or numbing effects as alcohol and drugs. Knowing that you don't need substances to manage your emotions or have fun is essential in recovery. You can still have fun while being substance-free and find activities that make you happy.
It is important to remember that your brain changes when you are addicted to drugs, making it difficult to enjoy life without them. If you find it hard to enjoy anything, remember that your body needs time to recover and that you will enjoy sober activities more over time.
While in recovery, you can engage in activities that you love that may have not been a priority when you were using alcohol or drugs. Determining how to have fun in sobriety begins with knowing yourself. Start by making a list of everything you love. Write the kind of vacations you might like to go on, what kind of food you like, sports you enjoy, and people you enjoy visiting. Determine what makes you feel happy and take steps toward pursuing those things.
You can also discover new activities that reward you and allow you to grow as a person. Here is a list of activities you can try:
Make new recipes
Walk and hike
Engage in photography
Attend a painting class
Create something (arts and crafts, woodworking, etc.)
Explore the world around you
Go to the bookstore and flip through books you might want to buy
Go out to breakfast
Watch the sunset or sunrise
Take dance lessons, even if they are on Youtube or Zoom
Volunteer
Hang out with new friends
Go camping
Find local attractions
Venus this is a beautiful reminder that it takes time for brain cells to recover after being beat up and broken down by drug and alcohol abuse. The step by step guide lines you presented on how to create a sustainably joyful and sober lifestyle are clear, simple and easy to follow. Thank you!