Even when consumed in smaller quantities, alcohol can have short- and long-term effects. Also know what you are going to drink and select from alcohol alternatives. Bars are more frequently providing alcohol-free beverages to help encourage safe drinking habits and reduce risks of accidents caused by driving while intoxicated. Always have a backup soft drink just in case you reach the bar and they are out of stock. There will always be a long lost friend who arrives on your doorstep looking to catch up over a few drinks.
Accept that you are in a transitional phase, which will take time.
When we see boredom as a cue to seek real engagement rather than numbness, we open the door to healthier, more fulfilling choices. In ancient times, boredom nudged our ancestors into survival-serving action. In modern life, when survival is mostly guaranteed, boredom gently jogs us to search for meaning and a deeper sense of purpose.
I have gone to bars with people I genuinely like as a sober person, and I don’t stay for longer than an hour or two if nothing is happening. Alcohol robs you of the ability to feel naturally motivated and inspired. Those feelings don’t come back immediately when you quit.
Why Society Taught Us to Avoid Boredom at All Costs
By employing these frameworks, Megan empowers her clients to confront their realities and comprehend the tangible impact of systemic factors on their lives. Her expertise encompasses group and individual work, with a particular focus on trauma. Darcie finds fulfillment in working with the LGBTQ+ population, leveraging her skills to support and empower. The best piece of advice she’s ever heard is to never take advice from someone who does not have what you are seeking. Describing her approach as eclectic, Darcie seamlessly combines person-centered and evidence-based practices. Drawing from her background in local improv groups, she infuses sessions with laughter and humor, fostering a non-judgmental space for clients.
Healthy Hobbies to Replace Drinking
The very things you should be doing to feel better require a level of motivation you might not be able to fathom. Getting drunk did not magically change the dynamics of that situation. We were all just sitting around and getting drunk, perfectly content to not really do anything together. Sometimes we would watch a show, but even that become untenable for me after a couple of drinks because I did not have the attention span for it. It’s hard to fill that time, especially when dealing with alcohol cravings and triggers.
Why Does Boredom Make Us Want to Drink?
Kayla earned a master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University (August 2024) and completed Brainspotting Phase 1. She draws on DBT, CBT, Brainspotting, solution-focused work, and motivational interviewing—tailored to the person, not the label. In Psychology (Clinical Counseling) and a master’s in Addiction Counseling Psychology at Colorado State University. She is an LACC working toward her LAC, with plans to pursue the LPC. In Criminal Justice/Psychology from drinking when bored Columbia University (2009) and a B.S. She brings 11 years of experience as a mental-health and substance-use nurse and is currently in the Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at Chamberlain (expected December 2026).
- Originally from New Orleans, Meghan earned her master’s degree from Arizona State University (2021) and became a Licensed Addiction Counselor in 2024.
- You’ll get to meet new people and be a part of something positive.
- Kathleen has more than 15 years of experience treating people who have a substance use disorder.
- Other tasks like laundry and cleaning the house can cause boredom and be a source of anxiety.
In the meantime, the Soberish community is here to support you and help you get there. 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. But I didn’t know what to do with them besides feel them.
But also, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and get involved in activities around your community. 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. My social circle changed when I got sober because I realized that many of my relationships were based on getting drunk together, and that was it.
- I’ll be exploring that in a future piece, but for now, let’s stay focused on the more everyday boredom that shows up during chores, traffic, and those painfully slow moments of life.
- Sitting in traffic, for instance, is one of those things that most people would rather forego.
- So whether you are an absent-minded drinker or a lonely or anxious one, what can you do to prevent drinking out of boredom?
- So many people quit drinking and end up walking around in a dopamine deficit state, struggling to find joy in anything.
Even if you have no idea HOW things can change, trust the process and keep working on it. It is very common for people to replace alcohol with sugar in the beginning, which is detrimental not only to your waistline and physical health but your mental well-being as well. If you have the time, sign on to a longer-term project like helping with this year’s charity bake sale or the big 5K race your city holds yearly.
She enjoys singing and dancing in kirtan and reading ancient Vedic literature like the Bhagavad Gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam. If she weren’t so damn good at her job, she says she would probably be an electrical engineer. 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. During her academic years, she dedicated herself to assisting refugees fleeing war and violence in their home countries.
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She believes in healing the whole person in a safe and supportive environment. Jill enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, friends, and pets when she is not in the office. She spends most weekends in the mountains hiking, fishing, 4-wheeling, and camping. Jill is an avid photographer and particularly enjoys Colorado sunsets. If she won the lottery tomorrow, Jill would create a pet sanctuary where the community would unite.
For those who didn’t work from home, only 12% were prone to excessive drinking. The solution is some form of stimulation, which can be healthy or potentially unhealthy. Outside of work, Brionna finds solace in arts and crafts, particularly crocheting and creative writing. She cherishes quiet moments with a good book, her two beloved cats, and the tranquility of nature’s walking trails. When he’s off the clock, Chandler is equal parts maker and explorer—reading, crocheting, gaming, crafting, puzzling, hiking, rafting, and snowboarding.
But you should turn to other, more productive ways to cope with your boredom that won’t be detrimental to your health. In more severe cases, drinking out of boredom can lead to severe alcohol abuse disorders. Starting to drink gradually might be considered normal or appropriate, but it can quickly create a dependence and lead to a severe drinking problem. And to stay motivated, take a moment to jot down in a journal how you feel after making progress in your hobby.
Darcie believes in collaborating with her clients, tailoring interventions to suit their individual needs. Originally from Center Point, Iowa, Darcie pursued her academic journey at Walden University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She then relocated to Alamosa, Colorado, where she obtained a master’s degree from Adams State University. Michael completed his MSW at the University of Denver (2017), followed by a Family Therapy certificate (Denver Family Institute, 2018) and advanced CSAT certification.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of happiness, well-being, and pleasure. Serotonin depletion can cause major mood swings and feelings of sadness, anxiety, and irritability. Swapping our routines and habits that are damaging you for ones that can strengthen your body and soul will give you a really clear reason why you want to stop drinking out of boredom. All these tips are here to help you prevent drinking out of boredom. They give you alternatives to drinking to fill gaps in your life. If you want to get better control of your drinking, you need to think about what your future drink-free life will look like.