There’s no hiding that recovery is one of the most difficult things most people will do in their entire lifetimes. With all of this daily effort, extreme stress, and emotional turmoil, it can be hard for many to continue putting effort into their recovery daily. That is why it can be essential for people in recovery to have moments of fun and relief from what they are experiencing.
Something as simple as spending time talking and joking around with other recovering addicts can be more than enough to provide momentary relief. Although it is obvious that spending time joking around and having a good laugh does not solve any problems, it does provide the necessary momentary relief to continue investing more energy into their recovery.
Can People Have Fun In Recovery?
Sobriety is often seen as a time of sacrifice and giving up all the things that used to bring us joy. However, you can have fun in recovery. In fact, it is highly encouraged to find ways to enjoy life without relying on drugs or alcohol.
Choosing sobriety is not just about giving up drugs or alcohol – it’s about gaining so much more. Recovery allows for newfound passions, genuine connections, clarity in the present moment, and personal growth. So if you’re considering getting sober or supporting someone on their journey, know that it’s a decision that can truly change lives for the better.
How Does Fear Stop People From Having Fun In Recovery?
A common fear among those in recovery is that they won’t be able to have fun without drugs or alcohol. But the truth is, sobriety opens up a whole new world of possibilities for fun and fulfillment.
This false belief means that people often get into recovery thinking that they will no longer have any fun because they can’t abuse drugs and alcohol anymore. A lot of recovering addicts have been using for so long that it is the only way they know how to have fun. Before recovery, people may use drugs and alcohol do just about anything.
Our guests have often shared past experiences using drugs and drinking alcohol to get out of bed in the morning. One of the most common reasons addicts and alcoholics use is to overcome social fears. Many people abuse drugs and alcohol to overcome their anxiety, or even their dread of social situations, since they were in their early teens.
By entering a program of recovery, people learn to enjoy social interactions that used to feel impossible to manage without getting drunk or high. Throughout early sobriety, people learn essential skills that help them overcome these fears and experience positive social interactions with their peers in recovery.
How To Have Fun In Recovery
Royal Life Centers understands how important fun is in recovery, and that’s why we encourage positive interactions as much as possible during treatment. Participating in positive social interactions during rehab in structured and unstructured settings is essential to maintaining sobriety. So, here are some tips on how to have fun in recovery from addiction.
Embrace Sobriety and Become Your Authentic Self
Sobriety also opens up opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery. Without the crutch of substances, you are forced to confront your emotions and underlying issues. With the help of therapy and support groups, you can gain insight into yourself and work towards becoming the best version of yourself. After letting go of your baggage from the past, you’ll feel lighter and freer. This newfound connection to who you want to be will help you show up authentically, which is a huge step in having fun in recovery.
Build Your Social Skills and Self-Confidence
Sobriety allows individuals to form genuine connections with others without relying on substances. In active addiction, relationships are often based on mutual drug or alcohol use. But in recovery, people can build meaningful friendships and connections based on shared interests and values.
For those in treatment, group activities can help people who are extremely shy to the point of being noncommunicative practice being social. Social activities are vital because they force recovering addicts to listen and share with others. Groups focusing on social skills also help many in recovery to learn more about forgotten social norms and how to be social without being intoxicated.
When our guests start to get some more experience with being social, the fun in recovery really begins. Luckily, there are so many fun, sober opportunities for recovering addicts to participate in, even outside of treatment.
Attend Fun Sober Events
One great way to enjoy these little things is through sober social events with other recovering individuals. There are plenty of 12-step sponsored events and meetings in nearly every part of the country, or world (basically wherever recovering people meet regularly).
Beyond recovery meetings, sober events can include a variety of different gatherings, such as:
- Retreats to national parks
- Picnics at a local park
- Excursions to lakes or beaches
- Getting together for fun at an arcade
- Challenging your peers to a game of laser tag or bowling
- Participating in community service efforts
- Attending a recovery convention
- Celebrating recovery-related holidays
Whether you’re in treatment or attending meetings, there will always be opportunities for fun sober activities with your fellow recovering people. After formal treatment, people can also attend these events as program alumni. In doing so, these events not only provide a chance for sober fun but also offer a sense of community and fellowship. Being around others who understand your struggle and journey towards recovery can be incredibly uplifting and motivating.
Discover Fun Hobbies
In recovery, individuals have the opportunity to discover new hobbies and interests that they may have never tried before. This can include activities such as hiking, painting, cooking, or even yoga. Not only do these activities provide a sense of enjoyment and fulfillment, but they also promote physical and mental well-being.
Meet New People To Have Fun With
Sobriety allows individuals to form genuine connections with others without relying on substances. In active addiction, relationships are often based on mutual drug or alcohol use. But in recovery, people can build meaningful friendships and connections based on shared interests and values.
Enjoy the Little Things in Sobriety
Oftentimes, people in recovery need to learn how to enjoy the simple things in life again, whether it’s a good conversation, a great meal, or even watching television with fellow recovering addicts. During active addiction, people often overlook these activities or replace them with substance abuse. But in sobriety, people can appreciate and savor every small joy.
This is because being sober allows for greater clarity and presence in the present moment. Without the fog of drugs or alcohol clouding their minds, individuals can fully experience and appreciate the beauty and joys of life. This includes simple moments like enjoying a cup of coffee in the morning or spending quality time with loved ones.
Protect Your Peace and Have Fun In Recovery
The most important part, other than learning how to have fun, is avoiding problem people and places. Guests in Royal Life Centers learn how to say no to and avoid old friends and places that are dangerous for their recovery. We often advise guests to remove old contacts from their phones. That way, they are not tempted to call people they used to abuse substances with. It also helps them commit to their recovery journey. And once they do, they often realize that these activities were never truly fun in the first place, but rather just a way to cope with their addiction.
Ready to Start Having Fun In Sobriety?
At Royal Life Centers, we also teach our guests that they don’t need to go to bars, nightclubs, or any other places where drugs and alcohol are prevalent to have fun. Fortunately, after getting sober for a while and being educated by our staff and clinicians, most guests realize that nothing is fulfilling or truly fun about those places anyway. Call our 24/7 admissions department to learn more about the fun activities at Royal Life Centers.
