“When I got sober, I thought giving up was saying goodbye to all the fun and all the sparkle, and it turned out to be just the opposite. That’s when the sparkle started for me.” ~ Mary Karr
Recovery from addiction is an on-going process. One important element is to find sober activities that give you pleasure and are more productive than getting drunk or high. We’d like to offer a list of sober activities for adults that will help you stay addiction-free. This list should get you started. Once you discover what’s available in your community, you will have a never-ending list of things to do.
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Get physical.
Join a gym. Take a yoga class. Get out on the basketball court. Find a sport you can love and be active. You don’t have to be the best, you just need to have fun.
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Pick up a hobby.
Visit your local craft store and find something that appeals to you. Pick one small project in one area. Finish it. Pick a different project. Do six or seven different things and decide which one you really enjoyed.
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Take some kids to local attractions, the zoo, aquarium, a museum or ice skating.
Give one of your friends an afternoon/evening without their kids. You’ll be helping an adult, building a relationship with children who need mentors and using the opportunity to see the world through their eyes. Everyone benefits.
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Go to your local animal shelter and offer to help.
Find an organization you can get behind and give them your time. There are hundreds of places that need help and working with dogs can also be very therapeutic.
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Explore other cultures.
Take a cooking class. Study a language. Listen to podcasts. Take day trips to new places in your community or put money away for a more serious vacation. Doing these things can help you broaden your horizons and become more knowledgeable or other types of people.
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Plant a garden.
Start by visiting a local garden or taking a class at a gardening center. Even if you don’t have a lot of space, you can grow herbs and other vegetables in containers on your patio or in your kitchen. If you have more space, start a community garden. There’s nothing better than fresh produce, except maybe sharing your bounty. Plus, working in the soil is rewarding when you harvest the fruits of your labor.
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Go to the library or bookstore.
Most libraries and bookstores have many more resources than books. You may find classes where you can connect with others, a genealogy group, for example. Reading can be a great way to find new interests. Ask the librarian for help in finding a new author in a genre you love.
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Host a movie night with friends.
Let everyone know what movie you’re showing. Dress up to match the theme of the movie. Ask everyone to bring something to eat that reflects on the movie somehow. If you’re really adventurous, have them bring the ingredients and cook together before the movie.
When you’re trying to recover, it is important for you to have people in your life who will support you staying sober. Try these activities with current family or friends, or work to build relationships with others who enjoy doing these types of things too.
If you can’t seem to get excited about daily and sober activities, you may need additional services from a mental health provider. Contact Mazzitti & Sullivan for an appointment today.