Being Bored When You’re Quitting Drinking

About 20% of Americans with an anxiety or mood disorder such as depression have an alcohol or other substance use disorder. Dr. Glenn Livingston is a psychologist and author of the book Never Binge Again. His unusual insights on overeating derive from decades of research and his own recovery.

• You might find that a certain feeling is not as bad as you think it is, once you just let it be there and be felt.
• If you tend to crave or reach for certain foods when you’re bored, you might be tempted to completely stop eating those foods to remove the temptation.
• But I’m going to explore solutions for people who sit at various points along the “sobriety is so boring” spectrum.
• But if you can’t or aren’t able to do a group class, at the very least, take a tech-free 30-minute walk every day.

One woman I know volunteered for several months at a shelter, “socializing the kittens.” Talk about great work to have. For example, they normalise the ‘wine o clock’ culture among mums. It isn’t normal to down a bottle or two of wine every night, but those with alcohol issues may feel like these posts validate their drinking habits. Sometimes a quick 10–20-minute walk is all it takes to recenter yourself and forget about the urge to snack out of boredom.

Depression

Remember, it’s normal to reach for a snack out of boredom on occasion. Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish between hunger and boredom. This subreddit is a place to motivate each other to control or stop drinking. We welcome anyone who wishes to join in by asking for advice, sharing our experiences and stories, or just encouraging someone who is trying to quit or cut down. Please post only when sober; you’re welcome to read in the meanwhile.

• This might help reduce your urge to snack on those foods when you’re bored.
• When I was finished, it was like someone had hit the refresh button on my brain.
• It may sound invalidating, but we can also ask, “What is loneliness good for?
• External factors often trigger urges to eat when you’re not physically hungry.
• It’s very common for people, especially those with additional mental health issues like depression and anxiety, to drink out of boredom.

But loneliness comes from feeling dissatisfied with your social relationships. You can feel lonely if you have friends, but you don’t feel connected to them. It’s very common for people, especially those with additional mental health issues like depression and anxiety, to drink out of boredom. Volunteering is a great way to reconnect with your community. Helping others actually boosts our own mental health and feelings of self-worth.

Additional resources to fight boredom in sobriety:

As Harvard social historian Robert Putnam illustrated in his book, Bowling Alone, people in the 1950s would participate in things like bowling leagues, but now they bowl alone. I’m a really really shy and anxious person and I’m too afraid to go alone to an AA meeting but I want to quit again. I’m 25 years old and for the last year I’ve been realizing that I am, and I’m admitting to myself that I’m an alcoholic. I’ve always drunk a lot when partying with friends, but I always had thought “Pff I’m too young to be an alcoholic”, but that just isn’t true anymore. Try to look at boredom as a space for meaningful stimulation in your day.

• But try to follow up by connecting over the phone, via video chat, or in person.
• Our programs focus on treating the physical, mental, and emotional components of alcoholism in a safe and secure environment where individuals can focus on their healing process.
• Fortunately, there are more ways than ever to connect with like-minded people who are fellow travelers on this path.
• Pretty soon, the anticipation starts to happen more frequently.
• Not on its own, but maybe it starts a conversation and a friend comes over just to sit with you and make sure you’re good.

Even when consumed in smaller quantities, alcohol can have short- and long-term effects. You should also know if you really hate being alone, that there’s no real reason you have to be in today’s world. There are literally hundreds of forums where others are happy to chat and support you. Just search Facebook or Google groups for the subject that interests you most, then reach out and introduce yourself. This concoction of low self-esteem, feeling worthless and lonely can spur someone on to drink more as an emotional pain reliever, as well as a way to chastise oneself. Instead, seek out the positive communities online including the Club Soda Facebook Group and Soberistas.

In Network Providers

How many times have you just lied on the couch watching Netflix? Then you look at the time, and you’re shocked at how many hours have passed. https://ecosoberhouse.com/ It isn’t enough to wake up, get ready, go to work, and come home. The days start to blur into one another, and it can feel very depressing.

Instead of taking advantage of the free time, you may feel bored and uncomfortable. In this article, we will discuss the main causes of boredom and loneliness. We will also explore some of the best tips to change your situation and improve your mood. 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.

I Can’t Stop Drinking Because I Am Pathalogically Bored And Lonely!

Plus, it helps us with our emotional sobriety and wellness. At Promises Behavioral Health, we understand that the decision to seek out help for alcohol addiction can be a difficult one. We are here to provide the support and treatments you need to achieve lasting recovery. Our programs focus on treating the physical, mental, and emotional components of alcoholism in a safe and secure environment where individuals can focus on their healing process. “Almost alcoholic” is a term that refers to individuals who skirt the boundaries of having a drinking problem. It’s the fine line at which point a person may cross over from casual drinking into having an alcohol use disorder.

• It’s a great way to boost dopamine and endorphin levels naturally.
• You get 100% free personalized tips based on your results.

There’s a stigma around both loneliness and drinking too much. Loneliness can affect people at any age, but older people are especially vulnerable to social isolation. The horrible irony to all of this is that alcohol amplifies loneliness.

Or, you might invite someone to spend time with you. You can feel lonely when you’re by yourself or even when you’re in a room full of people. When you don’t feel connected with anyone or you feel like no one understands you, you might feel as though you are completely alone even if you’re around friends or family. The association between drinking and having a good time has been perpetuated and promoted for years by companies marketing beer, wine, and spirits. Given the ubiquitous nature of alcohol advertising, you might look forward to having that drink as soon as you walk through the door at home or meet your pals at a bar. You feel more relaxed after that drink and look forward to the reward.

This might help identify — and stop — boredom eating patterns. Rather than eliminating the foods you crave, try eating them regularly but in moderation. This might help reduce your urge to snack on those foods when you’re bored. My job is terrible, I’m overweight, frustrated all the time, have had on and off deep depression for at least 19yrs (I’m 33), and quite often feel like it’s the end. Minority populations may feel lonely if they don’t have enough social support. This can happen if they live somewhere where they don’t feel accepted or embraced.

When your body is physically hungry and in need of calories for energy, you may notice signs like your stomach growling, a headache, and feelings of weakness or fatigue. Mindful eating is useful in differentiating between boredom and hunger, as it emphasizes paying close attention to your cravings and hunger and fullness cues. The same meal schedule doesn’t work for everyone. Some people like to have three meals and a few snacks each day, while others may prefer to have more or less. What’s more, knowing that you plan to eat a meal or snack in the next few hours could be motivation to hold back from eating until then. Try to spread out your calorie intake throughout a regular meal and snack schedule.

During the day, there were all-inclusive brunches. It all felt normal, even the terrible parts like awful hangovers and hangxiety. This is important to remember when thinking about boredom.

Sometimes being sober is boring because your life revolves around alcohol.

Nicole received her master’s of science degree from California State University, Long Beach in 2014. You can practice meditating by setting a timer on your phone for drinking out of boredom 5 minutes. Sit or lie down in a comfortable position, and close your eyes. Inhale through your nose and count for five breaths and then exhale for five breaths.