SOBRIETY DOES NOT MEAN A BORING EXISTENCE

on Monday, 14 July 2014. Posted in Breaking News

 

One major challenge that many recovering addicts face as they begin to incorporate themselves back into life outside of recovery is finding a way to be in social situations without succumbing to the desire to use. Many addicts face triggers that are based on social situations.

There are many reasons for this. One reason that many addicts feel they must use to have a good time is that they are often surrounded by other people who are using and have this become used to the idea that using is synonymous with having fun. The reality, of course, is that sobriety does not mean a boring existence.

In fact, many recovering addicts find that once they achieve sobriety, they live a life that is much more fulfilling than the life they were living while they were using. There are a great number of ways that living a clean and sober life also means living a more interesting one.

More Fulfilling Relationships

One of the things that makes life so enjoyable and interesting is cultivating and enjoying relationships of substance. When an addict is using, it is difficult, if not impossible, to enjoy truly valuable relationships. There are a few reasons for this.

Firstly, when a person is using drugs, they are often numbing or avoiding strong emotions that they may have. This can prevent any truly meaningful conversations because while a person is using they are not in touch with their true thoughts and feelings.

Most addicts also put using and finding more of a substance before behaving as a kind and considerate person. This can, of course, cause serious damage to any friendship or other relationship.

Interests That Are Actually Fulfilling

Drugs may be used often in response to feelings of boredom, but this does not mean that they are actually stimulating or that they are providing a user with any real sense of fulfillment. When a person is addicted to drugs, it can be difficult to cultivate any actual interests because using puts them in a position where they are either suffering from the effects of use or withdrawal.

They may also not have the financial or temporal resources available to commit themselves to any sort of activity beyond using. In sobriety, however, a recovering addict can seek out activities that are actually interesting to them. These activities, which may range from a creative endeavor to a physical activity to some kind of education, can affect real change and growth in a recovering addict.

Fulfilling activities, in addition to being fun and interesting, can bring about major and lasting positive change.

Cultivating A Sober Social Circle

One key way to avoid feeling left out in sobriety or to feel like sober life is less interesting is to cultivate relationships with people who are also sober. These can be very important relationship because they allow a recovering addict to engage in fun and interesting activities that do not revolve around using.

There are many ways that a recovering addict can strengthen and cultivate their circle of sober friends. Attending sober activities like picnics and dances is a great way to meet other sober people. Many people also find that they make friends by being social at meetings or by volunteering their time to engage in acts of service in the sober community.

Being surrounded by other sober people is a great way to have fun while being supported by people who are also doing the work to maintain a healthy and happy lifestyle. There are so many ways to have a great time while sober. The possibilities are truly endless.

 

Article Retrieved from: This location

photo credit: Tezza # via photopin cc