Learning how to have fun while sober can be extremely challenging because it is not only about finding new hobbies to engage in, but also about entirely changing one’s lifestyle. The things that used to make an addict tick likely do not do so anymore, making them feel lost in terms of recreational activity. While this feeling is normal, it is not something that a recovering addict can’t overcome. Some tips to help recovering addicts learn how to have fun without using can include:

• Stay active – Getting out into the world and participating in numerous physical activities is one of the best, most proven ways to have fun without using. This is also an excellent way to transition into a newly sober lifestyle, as being active not only encourages a healthy way of life, but also provides a recovering addict with an outlet for stress related to his or her addiction.
• Expand social circles – While in recovery, a user is likely to meet numerous new and interesting people who can not only relate to their current situation, but help them through the process as well. Maintaining these friends and fostering additional relationships with other recovering addicts can help an individual steer clear from social circles where using is accepted and practiced.
• Participate in service – One of the most exciting parts about having fun is when a sense of reward is accomplished through activity. Instead of obtaining that reward from using, recovering addicts can participate in service that will not only help give back to others in similar situations, but also provide that sense of reward that they used to crave from using. Not only will participating in service help a recovering addict have fun, but it will also help him or her prevent a relapse in the future.

Staying active, expanding social circles and participating in service are all excellent ways to begin learning how to have fun while being sober. By doing these things, recovering addicts can not only start adjusting their recreational activity to their newly sober lifestyle, but can also work towards preventing a relapse by devoting themselves fully to the activities that they begin participating in as a sober individual.

It’s no secret that many addicts experience a sense of depression when they start thinking about how they can possibly have fun without using. Luckily, we have numerous resources that we utilize for our clients so they can shake this depression and fear of living a boring life. It is just as important to us as it is to our clients to find new and exciting ways to have fun without drinking and/or doing drugs. Therefore, we do a variety of things to help show you how easy it is to have fun without compromising your sobriety. These practices include:

• Relating and sharing – For many individuals working at Northbound, they themselves are recovering addicts, which is often a main driver of developing a strong connection with our clients. By relating and sharing their own personal success stories and leading by example, the staff at Northbound can help you realize that even though your life is changing, that you, too, will be able to find enjoyment in your life without your use.
• Having fun with you – It is important to the staff at Northbound to not just set up recreational activities for you to participate in, but to also engage themselves in the activity alongside of you. The Northbound staff is never going to ask you to work harder than they are, meaning that they will remain as dedicated to your sobriety as you will. Therefore, they will join you when engaging in activities such as playing golf, surfing, swimming and more.
• Time management – A major struggle for some recovering addicts is that they begin feeling like they won’t have the time to participate in activities or recreational events that promote their happiness. Even though this is normal, the staff at Northbound focuses directly on helping you develop strong time management skills that will not only allow you to incorporate fun into your schedule, but also help keep you sober for the long haul.

At Northbound, it is important to the staff to not only sharing their stories with you to give you an extra boost of inspiration, but also to be your partner in activities and events and show you how to manage your time so you can keep having fun long after your stay at Northbound.

• Demeanor of the group – It is crucial that the overall demeanor of the AA group can positively impact your recovery. You will not see major success if you surround yourself with individuals who are overly depressed, unwilling to participate and constantly dragging down the group. By finding an AA meeting that helps uplift your spirits while providing you with the skills you need to stay sober, you can begin seeing great success in your recovery.
• Encouragement potential – AA meetings are generally very understanding, however some places are more fixated on getting through the meeting rather than encouraging open expression and positive listening. It is important that you avoid meetings such as these, especially if you want to express yourself or grow as an individual. Finding an AA meeting that encourages this type of personal growth can be incredibly beneficial to your overall sobriety.
• Educational offerings – Because there are so many AA meetings throughout the country, there are a wide variety of educational offerings that can be both positive or negative. When looking for an AA meeting, you need to do your research about what should be taught in these meetings and compare it to what you are getting out of them while you are there. If you are not receiving the educational backing you need to keep moving forward with your sobriety, you should keep searching for another meeting that can provide this for you.

Looking for the perfect AA meeting can be exhausting, however it can sometimes take some groundwork before obtaining your perfect fit. It is important that you do not get discouraged during this process, as it can become quickly frustrating and might begin making you feel like its not worth it. Therefore, you should plan on going to numerous meetings to weigh your options before you settle with one particular meeting. This can help broaden your options as well as give you the opportunity to get the best, personalized care for your current condition.

Shame is often considered to be a more affluent player in the world of addiction, as it tends to cause the development of more addictions that most other emotions. The main reason why shame perpetuates addiction development is because when someone is experiencing shame, he or she is degrading themselves because of something that have done that in their minds is shameful. This can include calling himself or herself names, taking all the blame to a personal level and negatively judging themselves against others. If shame is something that occurs on a regular basis, an individual can easily begin speaking these emotions into existence, which can fuel their likelihood of developing an addiction as a coping mechanism. These feelings can also perpetuate violent or other unsettling behaviors that bring about negative consequences that also fuel addiction development.

Unlike shame, guilt develops when a person feels bad about something they did, rather than feel bad about themselves. Guilt often leads to over-compensation in all areas of an individual’s life, especially when it comes to making up for something that they feel guilty about. This more or so leads to issues with perfectionism and pleasing others, which while is not as notably harmful as feelings of shame in terms of addiction, can spark psychological issues that can result in addiction development. For example, striving to be perfect at everything in response to feeling guilty can create unattainable expectations for an individual to reach, often resulting in major let downs across the board. These let downs can begin to erode at an individual’s self-esteem, making them more likely to abuse substances to cope with their inability to be perfect.

Both shame and guilt play a significant role in the development of addiction. Whether It be because he or she feels as though they are worthless or that they are unable to live up to expectations they have placed onto themselves, both of these emotional responses can fuel all kinds of addiction problems. Therefore, it is important that those individuals who are struggling with shame and/or guilt reach out to obtain the therapeutic care they need to prevent themselves from allowing their emotional responses to dictate how they will cope with their feelings in the future.

Causes for the Rise in Binge Drinking Amongst College Students

College students across the nation are continually participating in binge drinking practices, and as the years go by, more and more college students are succumbing to this type of campus culture. While it is normal for young adults to experiment with alcohol and possibly other substances, this type of behavior can lead to more serious problems in both the present and the future. Some of the many causes behind this rise in binge drinking can include:

• Peer pressure – One of the biggest driving forces behind binge drinking is peer pressure, which can make most college students participate in this type of behavior for fear of not being accepted by their peers. This can include doing shots, keg stands and/or engaging in chugging contests, all of which are considered forms of binge drinking.
• Stress relief – For many students, the stress of schoolwork and financial strain can cause an abnormal amount of stress, all of which can seemingly be relieved through drinking with friends or while at a party. These students are likely to think that if one drink helps take the edge off, a few more might help erase the problem entirely.
• Availability – Despite half of college students being underage and some colleges promoting dry campuses, the availability of beer and alcohol at most colleges is commonly considered to be one of the main causes behind binge drinking behaviors. Having access to this substance can not only promote peer pressure and stress release, but also aid in the development of a culture that feels as though alcohol is needed in order to have fun.

Between peer pressure, stress and availability of alcohol and beer, college students across the country are participating in binge drinking practices. While many of them might not view this as a problem, engaging in this type of behavior can lead to a variety of different health issues, as well as poor judgment calls such as unprotected sex and/or drinking and driving. In addition, many individuals who begin binge drinking in college can also carry this behavior over into their adult life post-college, and possibly develop an addiction as a result.

Affect of Drinking on the Liver

Long-term drinking can damage the liver, the organ that is responsible for breaking alcohol down into harmless compounds. After many years of drinking, the tissues of the liver can no longer perform this function. Blood vessels become stiffened, and the internal structure of the liver becomes deformed. This is called cirrhosis of the liver. The organ may develop fatty deposits. The inflammation caused by chronic drinking can lead to alcoholic hepatitis, with yellowing of the eyes and skin, fever and abdominal pain.

Reproductive Effects

Long-term use of alcohol can also affect sperm production and motility. It can also cause irregular periods and lack of ovulation in women. Though most effects of drinking on reproduction can be reversed if the person stops drinking early, long-term drinking can lead to infertility. Excessive alcohol use can also have a detrimental effect on the developing fetus in the womb. Women who drink excessively are advised to quit when they become pregnant to avoid harm to their babies and avoid alcohol while they are breastfeeding. Long-term use of alcohol can also increase the risk of miscarriage.

Affect of Drinking on the Brain

As the amount of alcohol consumed increases and the length of time the person drinks increases, the number of effects on the brain also increase. Memory lapses and blackouts are common in those who drink excessively over the long term. Heavy alcohol consumption changes the chemistry of the brain. It increases the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, in the brain, which causes a slowdown and disturbance in motor activity. It also inhibits glutamate production in the brain, a chemical that affects neurological response and movement in the body. Over the long term, the effects can be permanent.

How Chronic Drinking Affects Character

Chronic alcoholism can lead to a variety of personality changes and can have a devastating effect on character and reputation. The drinker may expend a great deal of time and energy hiding the extent of his drinking. He may lie continuously to cover his absences, lateness, illnesses or financial irresponsibility. Under the influence of the alcohol, he may become abusive and violent. He may be too drunk to interact with and oversee his children. He may lose his job and cause even more difficulties for his family. His behavior may become an embarrassment to his family, and they may lose social status because of it. The drinker may become unable to manage his drinking and run afoul of the law in various ways, such as driving under the influence, public drunkenness or fighting. Chronic drinking can cause severe stress on relationships and has an adverse affect on children in the family.

Author Profile
Tim Stoddart is the owner of the website Sober Nation. He specializes in SEO and Social Media marketing and writes content that helps people looking for resources for addiction help. Follow Sober Nation on Twitter.