Boredom in recovery is common, but it can be very dangerous. While in recovery, many people suddenly find themselves with extra time on their hands as they are no longer engaging in their vices and are distancing themselves from friends and family who still do. Furthermore, because many addictions stimulate the brains dopamine centers, the things that are normally interesting may feel dull and uninteresting to people in recovery. Things won’t be like this forever, but it’s important to figure out how to cope with boredom in early recovery.
If you’re new to sobriety, boredom is a powerful trigger that can send you right back to your addiction. By understanding this emotional state, you can protect the work you’ve put into recovery. Here are some of the reasons why boredom is common during early recovery:
· Extra time on your hands. Addictions take up a lot of time, so when you’re newly sober, you naturally have a lot of extra free time on your hands. It’s important to find healthy, productive ways to fill this time.
· Everything seems dull. Many addictions overwork your dopamine system. As a result, things that should normally be rewarding feel underwhelming. There is no quick fix to this. Your brain needs time to restore its balance.
· Distance from social circle. Chances are, you spent time with people who shared similar addictions. Now that you are in recovery, you have most likely distanced yourself from these people. Not being able to spend time with your social group regularly can also leave you feeling bored, lonely, and isolated.
· No longer sure what you enjoy. Addiction has a way of robbing people of their identities. It is possible that you don’t even know what you enjoy anymore. It will take time to rediscover your hobbies and passions. Until then, you might find yourself feeling bored and unsure how to spend your time.
Having too much time on your hands can be a problem for most people, but it can be especially dangerous to those in recovery. When you feel bored for too long, it can cause you to feel resentful and look elsewhere for entertainment and excitement. In order to become less bored, you must rediscover your passions, talents, and interests. It takes time, but you will get there.
Here are some of the best ways you can overcome boredom in recovery:
· Join a support group. It’s important to spend time with people during recovery, but you have to choose the right people. One of the best places to find good people is in a support group; you can choose any support group that feels comfortable to you. Participating in these meetings allows you to form connections with people who understand what you are going through.
· Try new activities. Keep an open mind in recovery—this is a period of self-discovery. Try some of the old activities you used to enjoy before your addiction and see if they offer you any enjoyment. If they don’t, try something new. Don’t feel discouraged; there’s a good chance you have different interests now, and that’s okay. The key is to find new types of enjoyment.
· Do some chores. If you’re still rediscovering your passions, you might not have any activities to fall back on yet. Pass the time by doing chores or offering to help others with their tasks. Chores are boring by nature, but they are a necessity. Instead of sitting there feeling bored, you can do the dishes or fold the laundry and feel bored. Before you know it, you will have passed the time and accomplished something.
Being bored is a part of everyday life, but it’s important to find ways to combat that boredom, especially when you’re in recovery. Find new ways to fill the time, and don’t give up on trying new things.