How to Cut Down on Alcohol, Even If You Don’t Want to Quit Drinking

As someone who existed in this headspace for years, I completely sympathize with how hard it is to break out of this rut, which is why this next part is so important. When that’s the case, it’s a sign of deeper problems that need solving. I just wanted to go home and crack open a bottle of hard cider. So I’d move the dinner along more quickly, thank them for hanging out, and dart back home. And when I tried to hang out with people without alcohol, I struggled mightily.

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She has a goal to visit every state capitol and has been to 29 so far! If she won the lottery tomorrow, Chanel said she start a bookstore with a bakery inside for guests to enjoy their favorite books with an excellent coffee and dessert. The decision is often met with doubt, questioning if sobriety is attainable. It can also spark feelings Twelve-step program of shame, guilt, and resentment. However, the variety of treatment options make it easier for individuals and families to focus on moderate consumption or complete abstinence.

• Exercise is critically important in early sobriety and for ongoing mental health and wellness.
• These facilities are equipped to treat addictions to various drugs, including but not limited to, alcohol, opioids, stimulants, etc.
• Regular drinking is often considered socially appropriate and normal, but if your drinking extends to when you’re alone, that’s a red flag.
• Sometimes boredom in sobriety looks like not wanting to be around anyone.
• Concern from his wife, Brittany Furlan, partly influenced that decision.
• Many people struggle with boredom drinking, but the good news is that there’s a way out.

Remove Alcohol and Substances From Your Home

Some of us may have enjoyed, at least to some extent, the break from work the furlough scheme has offered. An issue that has been concerning public health officials and researchers in the field. Eliminating alcohol from your life can lead to profound personal growth. Without the numbing effects of drinking, you may find it easier to address underlying emotions and challenges. This clarity allows you to work towards personal goals and improve your overall well-being. By taking the time to explore new activities, you can open yourself up to the possibility of finding a meaningful and fulfilling sober life.

Your brain needs time to recover.

AspenRidge Recovery methodologies prove to support clients through recovery and long-term care. We can address fear and healthy coping mechanisms to combat any doubt and uncertainty that either an individual or family may feel during these difficult times. It’s important to understand that achieving sobriety is possible. Alcohol addiction rehab programs should address substance use drinking out of boredom as well as any underlying co-occurring mental health disorders. The most effective treatment provides access to ongoing therapy, skills training, group or peer support, relapse avoidance techniques, and prescribed medications, if necessary.

Is Drinking Alone a Sign of Alcoholism?

The alternative is either a stale, lackluster lifestyle or one where the only entertainment is destructive addictive behavior. Take responsibility and choose the more creative and productive path. If you are an adult and active yet bored with work or mundane, tedious activities, push yourself to discover new adventures or make new friends. If your job represents a form of security but is painstakingly boring, explore new possibilities for employment even if you never fill out an application or get a job interview. It is a state of mind and requires a committed determination to change.

As part of your daily “boredom prevention plan,” schedule a reward for not drinking when you otherwise would. One of the best ways to deal with bored drinking is to anticipate it — why is not always easy. If “for no reason” pops up frequently in your list, it might help to seek a CBT professional to understand your why in those situations.

Why Drinking Out of Boredom Is So Risky

But, much like dopamine, alcohol disrupts and inhibits the production of GABA in our body. When you drink, it floods your brain with https://ecosoberhouse.com/ an artificially high amount of dopamine. Chronic alcohol use can dull the brain’s dopamine response.

Set Clear Intentions

It’s important to remember that boredom is a normal part of recovery, and with the right coping strategies in place, you can get through it without resorting to drinking or using drugs. This can cause a decrease in serotonin and dopamine levels, making it more difficult for you to find motivation or pleasure in everyday activities. First of all, boredom has a lot to do with your energy levels, so if you’ve got a lot of energy and you have no way of expending it, if you’re sitting around you’ll going to feel bored. If you’re nice and relaxed you’re not really too bothered about what’s going on in the outside environment then you’re not likely to be bored. If you are looking for treatment for substance abuse or addiction, you’re not alone—we’re here to support you every step of the way. Furthermore, scholars have shown that boys tend to start alcohol use at an earlier age than girls (e.g. Alvanzo et al., 2011, Buu et al., 2014).

• The association between drinking and having a good time has been perpetuated and promoted for years by companies marketing beer, wine, and spirits.
• That is, we hypothesized that the effect of boredom proneness on binge drinking can be accounted by drinking expectancies.
• I could pour my heart out and every irrational thought onto the pages.

Sober and Bored? Here’s What To Do About It

These facilities are equipped to treat addictions to various drugs, including but not limited to, alcohol, opioids, stimulants, etc. It’s important to note that addiction treatment programs are tailored to the specific substance and individual needs, ensuring that each person receives the most appropriate care for their unique situation. This cycle can lead to unhealthy consumption patterns when feeling anxious or overwhelmed. Make a commitment to allocate alcohol-free days and stick to them, keep alcohol and substances out of your home, make a schedule to structure your day, and connect with a supportive group regularly. Beyond her clinical practice at AspenRidge, Courtney finds solace in outdoor activities, sports, reading, and cherishing quality time with her family and beloved dog. Courtney’s professional experience in substance use treatment began in a holistic residential treatment center.