Stop Drinking Out Of Boredom Get Rid of Alcohol

If she weren’t excelling in her current role, Christy would likely champion environmental activism, advocating for nature’s preservation. Originally from Center Point, Iowa, Darcie pursued her academic journey at Walden University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She then relocated to Alamosa, Colorado, where she obtained a master’s degree from Adams State University. There will always be a long lost friend who arrives on your doorstep looking to catch up over a few drinks. Be ready for these moments when they arrive, and they will, give yourself a wry smile, then make the choice that fits with your goals.

How To Stop Drinking Out Of Boredom

Things that people do during that day that don’t involve recovering or boozy brunch. 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. I promise it will do wonders for your mental health, which, in turn, will help you feel motivated to do more things. Exercise is critically important in early sobriety and for ongoing mental health and wellness. It’s a great way to boost dopamine and endorphin levels naturally. What did you enjoy doing before drinking came around and took over your social life?

The psychology behind boredom drinking—and how to break the loop.

Please post only when sober; you’re welcome to read in the meanwhile. Reducing alcohol intake may produce withdrawal symptoms such as sweating, shivering, high blood pressure, vomiting, fatigue, etc. Psychological symptoms like anxiety, restlessness, & anger outbursts, or irritability can be seen as an after-effect. If these problems persist, professional help may be needed. A Qualified mental health professional or psychiatrist can help and assist in managing these symptoms.

Alcohol artificially boosts serotonin and dopamine in your brain.

Try and find ways to build other people into your daily patterns. Different activities will in turn create different thoughts and even the smallest change can start to make a big difference. If you are filling voids in your life with alcohol, then you need to decide what else can fill you up instead. If you want to reduce the amount of alcohol you drink, it makes sense to avoid busy bars and thirsty friends. But many of us should because millions of us resort to drinking out of boredom whilst relaxing at home. She typically works with people interested in taking a holistic approach to treating their addictions.

Jordan developed her clinical approach in various inpatient, hospital, outpatient, and private practice settings. Jordan continued her studies and earned a master’s in clinical and mental health counseling. Between post-graduate work and additional training courses, she honed her skills in treating first responders and military personnel from a trauma-informed perspective. In 2023, Jordan joined the clinical team at AspenRidge Recovery.

She’s passionate about working with clients to work through trauma and improve mental stability. In her personal life, Karlie likes reading sci-fi and fantasy and going to Marvel movies. She enjoys playing board games and having home karaoke nights with her friends. Karlie says the best advice ever received is to not fall in love with potential. Jill is a Colorado native who received a master’s in clinical psychology with an emphasis on women’s studies from the University of Houston. Jill has worked in several inpatient and outpatient centers, treating clients in all levels of care in both individual and group settings.

Believe it or not, in my experience, up to 30–40% of situational boredom can actually be avoided or reduced. Opting out is an underrated and underutilized option—especially for high-functioning people who are used to pushing through. If existential boredom drinking out of boredom is about a lack of meaning, then situational boredom is about a lack of stimulation. While it once pushed our ancestors toward survival and purpose, today it often drives us toward quick fixes like alcohol. When we see boredom as a cue to seek real engagement rather than numbness, we open the door to healthier, more fulfilling choices.

After managing that program for six years, Danny moved to AspenRidge and now leads the clinical team. Kathleen was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, but spent half of her life in California. She holds a master’s in clinical psychology with an emphasis on marriage and family therapy. Additionally, she has a master’s in holistic wellness and is trained in EMDR therapy for both in-person and virtual settings. Kathleen has more than 15 years of experience treating people who have a substance use disorder. Originally from Northborough, Massachusetts, Mary has supported adults cycling through the legal system—often with co-occurring mental-health and substance-use concerns.

Why do we resort to drinking out of boredom?

• But I didn’t know what to do with them besides feel them.
• But engagement is also the only path that allows us to feel fully alive in even the most ordinary moments.
• So it’s not that sobriety is inherently boring; it’s that your serotonin and dopamine levels are now very low.
• Footprints to Recovery offers alcohol addiction treatment that’s evidence-based and personalized to your clinical needs, preferences, and life situation.

It’s hard to fill that time, especially when dealing with alcohol cravings and triggers. This is important to remember when thinking about boredom. Reframe supports you in reducing alcohol consumption and enhancing your well-being. Plus, we’re always introducing new features to optimize your in-app experience.

And I’d be sent off to do chores I definitely didn’t want. So now comes the arduous task of learning how to manage the tough stuff without a chemical crutch like alcohol. Feeling bored, sad, lonely, or anxious about something are all very human things to feel. I could pour my heart out and every irrational thought onto the pages.

• Stopping at the moment to look around at what’s happening, what emotions you are experiencing, sensations, and thoughts that are present, bringing awareness, and then making a choice.
• The hidden downside of using alcohol to cope with situational boredom is that it often keeps us stuck—tolerating situations we might otherwise exit, transform, or outgrow.
• She brings 11 years of experience as a mental-health and substance-use nurse and is currently in the Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at Chamberlain (expected December 2026).
• To explore this further, try this 3-step boredom drinking interrupt strategy and take your first step toward a more intentional life.
• Additionally, I examine the way mental and physical health as well as our relationships with others impact the reasons people drink and their role in maintaining sobriety long-term.

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. However, because it’s so common, we can fail to recognize the importance of addressing it. Boredom can cascade into serious issues like battling loneliness, uncovering deeply seeded shame and self-loathing, and even feelings of high stress can become prevalent. Drinking out of boredom is how some choose to deal with the dull moments life throws at us. While boredom is to be expected and is nothing unusual, some individuals equate boredom with lack of productivity and negative connotations. In response, some people seek outlets that are detrimental to their well-being.

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Not exactly, but it can make you feel better, which has a ripple effect on whether or not you enjoy your life. One of the best things you can do for yourself when you’re feeling bored in sobriety is to find a way to serve others. You have to understand what you’re feeling and WHY you’re feeling this way in order to change it. 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.

Sober Curiosity Society

The good news is that your brain can adjust and restore balance to your internal world. The longer you stay away from alcohol and give your brain some much-needed TLC, the less you’ll feel like life is dull and uninteresting. So it’s not that sobriety is inherently boring; it’s that your serotonin and dopamine levels are now very low. That latter experience feeling like everything is gray and dull and lacks meaning? I’ve been where you are, as have thousands of other sober people who had to learn to have a life again after sobriety. In such scenarios, our brain searches for something exciting or rewarding, leading us towards behaviors that can stimulate and intrigue us.

A Denver native and lifelong Colorado resident, Megan embarked on her academic journey at the University of Northern Colorado. There, she earned dual bachelor’s degrees before pursuing a master’s degree in psychology. During her academic years, she dedicated herself to assisting refugees fleeing war and violence in their home countries. Kayla earned a master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University (August 2024) and completed Brainspotting Phase 1. She draws on DBT, CBT, Brainspotting, solution-focused work, and motivational interviewing—tailored to the person, not the label.

If boredom has been a major roadblock keeping you stuck in the drinking cycle, you are not alone. However, in our day, most of us don’t need to fight for food or shelter. From a cultural perspective, boredom doesn’t just feel uncomfortable; it feels wrong. In the meantime, the Soberish community is here to support you and help you get there. It’s likely your doctor will order some bloodwork, which can be the start of your path to physical recovery.