When someone enters into recovery, it\u2019s easy for them to romanticize or glorify their lives before they got sober. It\u2019s quite common for addicts in recovery to describe the loss of identity they feel without drugs or alcohol in their lives. Many people feel like drinking and drugging gave them an edge and helped them feel more social or just generally more uninhibited. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
All of the above is understandable if getting drunk or high is the only way someone has ever known how to have fun. But, at the end of the day, there\u2019s absolutely zero freedom in this line of thinking. Assuming that one needs a drink or a drug to have a good time makes them a slave to their substance of choice. When that idea is successfully challenged, life becomes full of beautiful surprises. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s no denying that the early days of recovery are going to be challenging. And, depending on the severity of addiction, the substance of choice, and the person\u2019s physical constitution, the withdrawal period may be very uncomfortable. But, once one gets past this initial period, it\u2019s time to explore what life can be all about sans drugs and alcohol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are some ways to have a blast in recovery<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Get active.<\/em><\/strong> If you\u2019re not particularly sporty, you may just find a new side of yourself in recovery. The cool thing about being active is that you get a brilliant endorphin kick that, dare we say, completely rivals drugs or alcohol in the sense that it totally outlasts a good drunk or a high. Plus, it doesn\u2019t end in a hangover and heavy consequences! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting active might mean hitting up the gym, but it could also mean going for a run up in the hills if you live near some cool hiking trails. Or, you could just go for a brisk walk on the beach, or a surf, or a rollerblade (yes, rollerblades are totally making a comeback. So are roller skates, so put on some KC and the Sunshine Band and hit it!). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Get creative.<\/em><\/strong> If you think painting is just for kids then you haven\u2019t tried painting sober. Head to your local art supply store, pick up a canvas and some acrylics, put on a beret, and channel your best Monet. You don\u2019t have to produce a masterpiece, just have fun making a colorful mess.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maybe you play an instrument that you haven\u2019t picked up in ages, or perhaps you\u2019d like to learn to play one? What\u2019s stopping you? Or, let your Julia Child out and bake an apple pie!<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are so many ways to be creative. Find something that appeals to you and just get started. The great thing about letting your creative juices flow is that the simple act of being creative interplays with serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin. These are three neurotransmitters in the body that are responsible for making you feel good, just like drugs and alcohol, but in a MUCH healthier way. Once again, these are hangover-free activities and they\u2019ll make you feel good over the long term. What\u2019s not to love?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Volunteer at a local animal shelter. <\/em><\/strong>Who doesn\u2019t enjoy the therapeutic and unconditional love of an animal? Volunteering at an animal shelter gives you the opportunity to make some furry new friends but without the responsibility of having a pet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you walk dogs a few days a week or open up your space to foster pets who are looking for new homes, volunteering with animals is another great way to do something that feels good\u2026without drugs and alcohol!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Have a spa day. <\/em><\/strong>Get your hair done, get a mani-pedi, have a luxurious massage, or sit and have a good steam\u2026or all of the above! Pretty much no one feels worse than they did before after spending the day at the spa getting pampered. It\u2019s the best natural high there is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Go to a comedy club. <\/em><\/strong>Want to know how to achieve another epic natural high? Laugh out loud\u2026for two hours straight! Stand-up comedy nights are underrated, but they\u2019re so accessible and so much fun. Of course, if you think you might be triggered by the fact that there\u2019s alcohol served at the club, you may want to wait until you have a little more recovery time up before doing the comedy club thing. But, when you\u2019re ready, it\u2019s one of the coolest things to do sober in our humble opinion. Or, get a bunch of your sober compadres together and make it a group date! It\u2019s a lot easier to enjoy a table full of soda water when you\u2019re in the company of a sober crew.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n