This may take some careful vetting to find one that works best for you. Host your own painting night. Have everyone chip in a few bucks and snag some canvases and paints from a local craft store. Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks top it all off. Video chat with someone in a different time zone than you. Have a friend or family member overseas?

• Whether it’s old-school Nintendo or you’ve somehow secured a PS5, break out the controller and get gaming.
• Rediscovering your creative side is a great way to find inspiration in sober daily life.
• Roller Coasters and other amusement park rides are a great way to get a thrill without any substances needed.
• Give it time, and you’ll start to get to know people.

Spend time with animals

Finding ways in which to grow as a person can be a big part of that. Taking a course in something you’ve always been interested in is an excellent way to fill your time and expand your horizons. Exercise has also been shown to be highly effective at combating depression, which can often be an issue for addicts who are new to recovery.

Sober Date Ideas (That Are Actually Fun)

There’s a non-fiction book out there for nearly anything you’d ever want to learn about. And if you prefer to escape through fiction, there are countless fantasy books you can get lost in instead. Book a private in-person lesson or sign up for a virtual class—either way you’ll learn some spicy new moves that are sure to turn up the heat. Conversation is stilted and you can’t think of anything clever to say. No problem…‘cause it’s your turn! That’s right—you can easily avoid social awkwardness, without any help from a pint of beer, when you book a date at the bowling alley.

• Be a tourist in your own town.
• If your goal for exercise is to find a new tribe (which is a GREAT idea by the way), keep that in mind as you explore different options.
• Take a creative writing class.
• If you don’t have the time for a planned trip or you’re looking for something to do within the next couple of days, consider going on a local hike.
• You can’t make a choice about whether or not you’re going to drink or use drugs.
• It can be helpful to remember the alcohol-free activities that brought you joy when you were younger.

Take an in-person or virtual class

If you’re in the States and want to find a gym that specifically caters to people in recovery, check out The Phoenix. There are many great things going on with this organization if you’re blessed to live in an area with a program. Ecotherapy is used to help people suffering from PTSD, mood disorders, mental illness, and other mental sober houses in dorchester ma health problems. It’s been shown to increase positive feelings, reduce depression, and help alleviate mental fatigue. Because here’s the thing, sitting on a barstool for five hours on a Saturday night is not that fun when you subtract the alcohol. We’re all just consuming so much alcohol that we don’t care if we’re bored.

Go for a run, hike, or bike ride. If you prefer the idea of indoor activities, use a sober weekend to try a fitness class or yoga class. Look for sober events taking place in your area on the weekend. Take a day trip to a nearby town or city.

Monthly Quit Lit Book Club

Thankfully, the growing trend of sober bars and activities is making that possible without alcohol and drugs. Now that you’re armed with so many ways to spend your time alcohol-free, you can build habits that feel easy. If your goal is more about alternatives to drinking because you like options, we can help you there, too. Surely non-alcoholic wine is the perfect alcohol alternative for wine-lovers who want a healthier glass. Start with our crisp dealcoholized sauvignon blanc for your next sober get-together. Board games are having a bit of a renaissance right now.

We’re here for you along the way. Engaging in team sports or joining a local club can foster a sense of community and accomplishment. Finding ways to nurture your own mental health and wellbeing in sobriety is a top recommendation from therapists at Monument. This can include taking baths, journaling, meditating, or going to therapy. There are countless ways to experience art, and they don’t always have to include expensive tickets. Visit your local museum, watch an open mic comedy night, attend a local play or dance show, or see if there’s a jazz café in your area.

• Additionally, you can volunteer at your local animal shelter to walk dogs or pet cats.
• These activities can be especially useful for college students, where 40% of students report heavy drinking usage.
• To get you started, here are 11 sober things to do at night that will not put your recovery at risk.
• Belt out your favorite tunes at a karaoke night with friends.

Plant Your Garden

• We’re accustomed to going to parties, bars, or clubs.
• Then you sit together and discuss what you want for the future while putting together your boards.
• Most people don’t operate well on a schedule that offers no free time or wiggle room — it’s simply not healthy.

In sobriety, you get to figure out what makes you feel alive and what makes your soul feel good. You get to learn what is for you and what isn’t. I’ve gotten everyone in my social circle and family on the Jackbox train.

Whether you’re looking for a night out with friends or a fun day activity, countless options will keep you entertained without compromising your sobriety. When you’re in recovery, and you become bored and disinterested in your surroundings, you may start looking for something to make yourself feel better. This could lead to making unhealthy food choices, which is not good for your overall health. With work and perseverance, that fog can lift and the true clarity of a sober lifestyle can be revealed. When entering the beginning stages of recovery, there can be a lot of empty time that must be filled.