If the old you had a long-established habit of drinking at night, it can be difficult to know what to do with yourself now that you’re pursuing your sobriety goals. The temptation to drink at night can be especially strong in the fall and winter, when the nights are so long and cold. What are some ways you can enjoy yourself at night without drinking? Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Join a Class
Recovery is all about reinventing yourself – discovering who you can be without drugs and alcohol holding you back. Why not embrace the opportunity to learn something new? Whether you enroll in an art class, a language lab or take up cooking, the possibilities are endless. You can either take a course in person, or choose from hundreds of online classes.
Have a Movie Marathon
Round up your favorite movies and a group of sober friends, pop some popcorn and host a movie night. Whether you love Hollywood classics, want to get nostalgic with films from your childhood or prefer more recent favorites, watching movies is a wholesome, substance-free way to spend any evening.
Volunteer
Everyone likes the idea of giving back to the community. It’s a way to meet new people, while giving yourself a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment. There is even some evidence to suggest that people who volunteer are mentally and physically healthier than those who don’t.
Get Fit
Plenty of gyms are open 24/7 to cater to people’s busy lifestyles, so you can fit in a workout whenever the mood strikes you – even late at night. Instead of reaching for a drink, go pick up a set of weights and work on toning and refining your muscles with lifting exercises. Strengthening every muscle group in your body will benefit your overall fitness, even if you’re not trying to bulk up. And adding more physical activity to your day is never a bad idea with today’s largely sedentary lifestyles.
Reach out and Touch Someone
Your relatives and old friends would love to hear from you, and you probably don’t call them as much as you should. You don’t even need a reason to ring them up. Everyone enjoys getting a call to say hi and catch up every now and then. Whether you call your parents, siblings, grandparents or best buddies from high school, a long phone conversation might be what the doctor ordered to help you feel a renewed sense of love and connection.
You Can Accomplish Your Goals
At Spearhead Lodge, we provide programming tailored specifically to the needs of young men with substance misuse issues. As a place of healing, we provide clients with the foundation they need to recover from drug and alcohol addictions, learn how to have fun without substance use and move on to live life to its fullest potential. If you’re ready to learn more, contact us today.