Im Bored .. And Drinking Gives Me Something To Do.

If you have the time, sign on to a longer-term project like helping with this year’s charity bake sale or the big 5K race your city holds yearly. You’ll get to meet new people and be a part of something positive. But I didn’t know what to do with them besides feel them. And the more I felt them, the more intense and blinding they would get.

• External factors often trigger urges to eat when you’re not physically hungry.
• And it’s time to look forward to what is hiding underneath what you’ve been doing.
• But you know what, and you’re so frustrated, because you’re like, it’s not boring.

8. Tune in to your emotions

Plus, you might meet some cool people, and that’s always a double win. That is the activity I’ve buried my energy into since quitting. But also, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and get involved in activities around your community. That being said, drinking FOMO is real and must be dealt with. Sometimes admitting the truth to yourself is the first step. But it’s comforting to know that you don’t have figure it out on your own.

Why Am I Bored Without Alcohol?

Boredom can indeed lead to cravings for alcohol, but it doesn’t have to be this way. With understanding and a few targeted strategies, you can retrain your brain to seek healthier, more fulfilling ways to escape boredom. These stories remind us that boredom isn’t merely a state of inactivity or idleness — it can also be a time for reflection, creativity, and unexpected discovery. Our brain also becomes accustomed to the presence of alcohol and starts to see it as the “new normal.” So when there’s no alcohol, things seem a bit off. The brain starts to signal the craving for alcohol, not just to seek pleasure but also to restore what it perceives as normalcy.

How do I stop drinking out of boredom?

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. As these nights add up, drinking because of boredom you’ll wake up with less energy, a clouded mind, and the inability to perform at your best. Hobbies occupy the mind and give you a sense of accomplishment.

• This is basically a milder form of the stress response coupled with a spurt of dopamine – the motivation chemical – to get us to take action.
• If you find yourself bored without alcohol or drinking simply because you’re bored, you might be developing an unhealthy relationship with alcohol.
• Clinically, Warren has developed a therapeutic skillset that utilizes a strengths-based perspective, Twelve Step philosophies, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.
• All treatments are conducted by licensed therapists.

When should I seek professional help for boredom drinking?

For example, most people drink at concerts, sports events or parties to transform their experience and heighten the moment. Most people drink in order to fill a void of some sort, e.g. an unhappy relationship, an unfulfilling job, loneliness or feeling bored with your daily routine. If you take alcohol away, but do nothing to change those other factors, you’re probably going to feel it. In this post, we’re going to uncover some truths about mindset, alcohol, and how to overcome boredom after quitting drinking. Whatever the reason for your boredom, drinking can create a negative cycle around it. So whether you are an absent-minded drinker or a lonely or anxious one, what can you do to prevent drinking out of boredom?

Instead, you should find ways to cope with your boredom that keep you productively occupied and are more fulfilling. I pinned up places where I wanted to take photography. And instead of pinning up the best places for a romantic dinner in Paris, which by the way you can still go to but also look at the walking tours. Look at the photography tours, look at where to bike.

Emotional Triggers for Boredom Drinking

I felt like anything could happen when I got rid of my inhibitions. And frankly, after years of drinking, I was really out of shape. And I wanted to get more healthy while I was not drinking. So it hit everything I needed to do to keep me amused. Want to read the full transcript of this podcast episode?

Life without drinking is not smaller. It’s not boring.