You may already know that boredom is one of the leading causes of relapse. Boredom, along with emotional instability, stress, and dissatisfaction, can all make someone more likely to fall back into their addictive patterns. Even after finishing a San Diego drug and alcohol rehab treatment, many people fall victim to boredom.
One thing that can help to eliminate all of these problems is the discovery of a new hobby. Hobbies are one of the best ways to help you stay sober because they keep your mind occupied.
Over time, a hobby will help to replace the neurochemical fix that you sought from drugs. It might seem a bit difficult at first, but once you find something that you enjoy, you should stick with it.
How to Find a Hobby
Finding a hobby is often easier said than done. There are a number of things that can prevent someone from finding a hobby. These are the things that need to be overcome.
- Insecurities and self-doubts. Many people have been faced with a situation where they have an opportunity to try out a new hobby. Perhaps someone handed you a paintbrush and told you to splash some paint on a canvas. Maybe a friend urged you to try out their guitar and see if you could make some noise.
Many people refuse these opportunities because they’re worried that they won’t be successful. They fear that they won’t make a good painting, or play a good song, so they don’t even give themselves the chance to try.
One of the most important things for anyone hoping to find a new hobby is to be open. Don’t have any expectations. Let loose, and do anything – even if it feels strange or uncomfortable. Especially if it feels strange or uncomfortable.
- Lack of self-knowledge. Another reason that people have a hard time finding hobbies is that they don’t actually know themselves that well. We live in a world where most people spend the majority of their time commuting to work, working, and then being too tired to take the time to get to know themselves.
Learning about yourself is one of the best ways to figure out what sort of hobbies you’re interested in. Take some time to figure out what grabs your attention. Do you like art? Are you interested in fashion? Do you like hiking in nature, or cooking, or building things?
One of the most important things that you can do is figure out what you were seeking from drugs. A lot of the time, people seek solace in drugs because they provide them with a sense of accomplishment or fulfillment that they’re otherwise lacking.
Figuring out what you can do to bring about this fulfillment is instrumental in helping you avoid triggers and relapses.
Conclusion
Boredom is a very common cause of relapse, but it doesn’t have to be. If you take the time to figure out your own interests and hobbies, you can find something that captivates you so much that you’ll never even think about relapsing.
Written by Nigel Ford
