Continued from Part 1…
3. Find a Healthy Thrill to Chase
Some people find that the reason they’ve become addicts is because they’re “adrenaline junkies.” If you’ve found that you love the thrill and chase of a high, it may be a good idea to seek healthy thrills. Maybe that means going to an amusement park and riding the tallest, fastest roller coasters. Maybe it’s playing a competitive sport. Or maybe it’s seeing a scary movie. Whatever the case, just be mindful that chasing overly risky thrills is what got you into addiction in the first place. Replacing drug or alcohol addiction with similarly destructive behaviors is never a good idea.
4. Don’t Overdo It
If you find that you’re wanting to dive head-first into an activity or hobby that occupies all of your time, remember that your road to recovery is also about finding a new sense of balance. It’s great to find something productive to do that excites you, just be cautious of getting too much of a good thing. Overdoing anything, even participating in seemingly healthy and beneficial programs could lead to burn-out—and possibly relapse.
5. Remember the Addiction Grieving Process
We’ve talked before about the grieving process and its relationship to addiction—giving up your old way of living, including the people, places and things you used to enjoy, can leave you with a perceived void in your life. This can intensify feelings of grief and sadness during your recovery. So, before convincing yourself that you’re “just bored,” consider that you might need to spend more time working through the natural process of grieving the loss of your addiction. Get tips on how to cope with depression and other stages of the addiction grieving process.
The Raleigh House is Here to Help
When it comes to boredom, the earlier you can spot the signs the better. By redirecting your boredom to a new hobby or changing your perspective, you could reduce your chances of a relapse. If you’re looking for more coping mechanisms, or if you’ve recently suffered a relapse, contact The Raleigh House today to speak with one of our addiction recovery specialists. Don’t wait.
