She couldn’t imagine her life without wine at that time, but now she acknowledges that drinking made her tired and impatient. And ironically, she’s the same age her father was when he stopped drinking. Apps such as Cutback Coach and Moderation Management can help people create structure around drinking and provide tools to manage stress, she says.

• This one seems paradoxical, but if you try it, you might find it helpful.
• Think of times or places where alcohol is normally found.
• These days, most of us immediately reach for our phones when we feel the slightest bit bored but this is really only a superficial solution.
• Don’t get down on yourself because you can’t get wasted at the bar with your friends anymore.
• Other studies in animals have also found that GLP-1 drugs reduce the consumption of nicotine, opioids, as well as psychostimulants, such as cocaine and methamphetamine.

And while these things might sound serious and scary, it’s important to note that it’s one piece of a larger puzzle. A therapist can help treat the underlying symptoms through therapeutic modalities like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or trauma-processing techniques. When I drank alcohol, I could (and did) sit and do nothing for hours. My friends and I got together for happy hours after work.

Alcohol artificially boosts serotonin and dopamine in your brain.

It’s okay to take risks in recovery if those risks don’t involve drugs or alcohols, even encouraged. The best way to stop boredom is to step out of your comfort zone and do something you never could have done while drinking drinking out of boredom or using. You could swim with sharks, or try mountain biking, or try new food. Participating in new and thrilling experiences will show you there’s more to life than addiction that you can take advantage of in sobriety.

Apparently, when we aren’t in tune with our inner thoughts and emotions we have trouble articulating what it is we want in life. We can’t describe our feelings and our desires which leaves us feeling stuck. Not knowing what it will take to make you happy leads to boredom with yourself and the world around you. Not only is boredom a really uncomfortable emotion but we almost feel guilty about. We feel bad about being bored because if you compare it to other uncomfortable emotions, let’s say pain or nausea or disgust, we feel like boredom shouldn’t be a problem. If you’re in pain it is only natural to want to relieve or stop the physical pain.

Find a hobby and/or social activity to get involved in.

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America says that alcohol and other substances can worsen anxiety symptoms. About 20% of Americans with an anxiety or mood disorder https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/ptsd-and-alcohol-abuse/ such as depression have an alcohol or other substance use disorder. “Surely if I’m bored without alcohol, then alcohol makes my life less boring” – they think to themselves.

Alcohol dependence also means that you have developed a tolerance to drinking. As a result, you may have to drink larger quantities to get “buzzed” or drunk. Increased drinking has more damaging effects on the body. This is especially true for teens who attend parties where drinking is the primary activity.

Curious about all the amazing benefits a break from alcohol can bring?

“Even more so if you have obesity and alcohol use disorder. Absolutely. Speak with your doctor.” “That dopamine essentially tells you, ‘Hey, do that again!’ Take another bite.’ ” And you want another bite. “Right away, I started eating less and losing weight,” he says.

This drug, called exenatide, isn’t as potent as semaglutide (Ozempic) at inducing weight-loss or penetrating inside the brain. In the study, the drug reduced drinking in people with obesity, but it actually increased drinking in people who don’t have obesity. For other people, drinking alcohol out of boredom is a much more active choice – they drink to cope with negative feelings like anxiety or loneliness. Many people say that they drink alcohol to manage anxiety – to numb it or take the edge off difficult feelings. However, feeling bored without alcohol isn’t actually a bad thing. And the sickness and tiredness you feel after the initial high of alcohol consumption wears off is neither fun nor interesting.