Bored drinking takes place when people reach for alcohol to kill time, simply because they have nothing else to occupy their minds. If your dose of stimulation is mostly a walk to the fridge, you might be a bored drinker. And while bored drinking isn’t necessarily problematic, it can sneakily become a serious health risk.
The reality is there are other, healthier ways both to celebrate that milestone and deal with the boredom trigger. Do you walk around the block and phone a friend? While it’s a common practice to reach for over-the-counter pain relievers to try and minimize your headache in the morning, Marino says you could potentially do a lot more harm than good. Some kinds of liquors may make hangovers more unpleasant.
By volunteering at organizations that help people struggling with addiction, you can provide a meaningful sense of purpose and fulfillment, which can replace the fleeting pleasure of boredom drinking. Use Sunnyside to track your drinks and better understand the connection between how much you drink and how you feel. Also, if you have that extra drink, Sunnyside lets you interact with others who struggle with bored drinking. You’ll feel empowered to resist the urge next time.
Myth: Taking painkillers before bed can help you get ahead of hangover symptoms.
Or you lose interest in an existing hobby because it’s easier to drink. Sure, having a single drink while alone might not seem like a problem if you eat well and exercise. But if you add it to the drinks you have with friends and that everyday glass of wine with dinner, your total number of weekly drinks can increase rapidly. Many bored drinkers likely don’t realize they’re bored drinkers. But if you consume alcohol, these signs might indicate that boredom is a drinking Help for Spouses of Alcoholics trigger.
Life without drinking is not smaller. It’s not boring.
- This podcast episode is about feeling bored in sobriety.
- Dreams that I had that I didn’t think were ever going to come true because I was so busy with work and kids and life.
- Sunnyside is the leading alcohol health platform focused on moderation and mindfulness, not sobriety.
- We’re like, there’s nothing to do if we’re not drinking.
If you like gin and tonic when you’re vegging on the sofa, swap it for fizzy water with lemon. If you know your willpower weakens after 9 pm, get up before then and go and have a warm shower instead. Her expertise encompasses group and individual work, with a particular focus on trauma.
Break the Boredom Drinking Loop
Are you just feeling overindulgent, the way we just said? You know, write down these things in a journal or just in the memo section of your phone. Write down how much to drink, when you drink and – how about this question – why do you drink? Among your many options for New Year’s resolutions and fresh starts, dry January is a thing, which means a monthlong break from alcohol. It turns out that doing this even briefly has some health benefits, and NPR’s Allison Aubrey is here to talk about it. Dean says that finding an alcohol-free alternative that you genuinely like is a great way to break the pattern of heavy drinking.
By developing self-awareness and reflecting on your emotions and thought patterns, you can uncover the triggers for boredom drinking and take proactive steps to address them. When discussing boredom in recovery, I often suggest that my clients look at some of the activities they are willing to do to help pass the time when feeling bored. For members who report drinking out of boredom, I often remind them that there are probably a lot of other things to do within their busy lives, if they take a moment to reflect.
Self-medicating can drastically impact overall health and well-being. It’s also a common reason many become dependent on substances. Not only this, self-medicating can lead to and exacerbate mental health conditions leading to a dual diagnosis condition. Warren is a Licensed Master Social Worker, who specializes in substance abuse and mental health treatment. Clinically, Warren has developed a therapeutic skillset that utilizes a strengths-based perspective, Twelve Step philosophies, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. Alcohol’s reinforcing effects can be attributed to the way cortisol interacts with the brain’s reward system, causing a person to feel pleasure and therefore reach for more of it when stressed.
Surrounding yourself with supportive friends and family who encourage sobriety and engage in alcohol-free activities can be incredibly beneficial in combating boredom drinking. By building a strong support network, you can access the encouragement and guidance you need to stay sober and successfully overcome boredom drinking. By exploring new hobbies and interests, you can effectively replace boredom drinking with more fulfilling and enjoyable activities.
Everyone reacts to boredom differently, but the way we react is vital to our health and well-being. 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. Darcie believes in collaborating with her clients, tailoring interventions to suit their individual needs. Megan’s therapeutic approach is multifaceted, drawing from narrative, feminist, and existential therapy modalities. By employing these frameworks, Megan empowers her clients to confront their realities and comprehend the tangible impact of systemic factors on their lives.
Eating well, staying hydrated, getting physical activity, and not stocking up on alcohol for the winter are other helpful strategies to stop drinking out of boredom. Connecting with a support group can also help you build meaningful relationships with people who understand and can support you in your recovery journey. Planning interactions according to “Sober in Seven” can help reduce feelings of loneliness and prevent reliance on alcohol. Having a list of supportive contacts is beneficial because it can provide you with immediate access to people who will encourage and support you on your journey to recovery. Simply asking these questions might be enough to take the edge off the urge to drink.
