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When we get bored, drinking is not one of the options we have to relieve that boredom. Everyone gets bored drinking out of boredom sometimes, it’s just the way life is. It’s what makes certain parts of your life all the more exciting.

• Activities like talking a few short walks or periodic stretch breaks during the day provide a mental and physical break from usual routines.
• Workaround managing and coping with those triggers by
  finding a different strategy that works best for you.
• It is very common for people to replace alcohol with sugar in the beginning, which is detrimental not only to your waistline and physical health but your mental well-being as well.
• A sure sign of problematic bored drinking is failing to achieve hobby-related goals.
• About 20% of Americans with an anxiety or mood disorder such as depression have an alcohol or other substance use disorder.

Rollins asks her patients to consider whether their drinking is truly moderate or is interfering with their lives. It sounds over the top, but we know, when it comes to going alcohol-free winging it simply does not work. You have to plan like an athlete and expect the unexpected. I certainly would have if I’d read this article five years ago.

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Drinking at concerts, sporting events, and dinner can, as one casual drinker put it, transform a situation into a moment. The problem is that overindulgence or even regular drinking is known to cause a number of health issues. Alcohol is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the United States. It’s responsible for more than 95,000 deaths annually. Reflect on your drinking patterns and keep track of them to identify your boredom drinking triggers.

• By exploring new hobbies and interests, you can effectively replace boredom drinking with more fulfilling and enjoyable activities.
• Some alternative activities to consider include physical exercise and outdoor activities, creative pursuits and learning new skills, and volunteering and community involvement.
• Many people find it easier to cut back on alcohol when they see it as part of a bigger picture, Rollins said.

In certain situations, being bored too often may have detrimental health effects, such as increased rates of depression and altered eating habits (1, 28). If you’re feeling content with your food choices for the day, you might be less likely to reach for a snack when you’re bored. Many of those who do escape addiction will claim that boredom is the least of their problems. In fact they will often complain that there is not enough hours in the day to do all the things they want to do.

Reward yourself for not drinking when bored.

If you take alcohol away, but do nothing to change those other factors, you’re probably going to feel it. When you don’t feel you have anyone to talk to or anywhere to go, drinks can feel like a constant, a friend. Unfortunately, drinking alcohol because of boredom makes you feel worse which in turn, makes you feel even less confident about going out and making new connections. One of the best opportunities to practice mindful drinking is Dry January.

Reducing alcohol intake may produce withdrawal symptoms such as sweating,
shivering, high blood pressure, vomiting, fatigue, etc. Psychological
symptoms like anxiety, restlessness, &

anger

outbursts, or irritability can be seen as an after-effect. If these
problems persist, professional help may be needed. A Qualified mental
health professional or psychiatrist can help and assist in managing these
symptoms. To assess whether occasional day drinking or enjoying an early happy hour has morphed into mild, moderate or severe alcohol use disorder, answer the following questions from the DSM-5.

Tips to stop drinking out of boredom

This might be a bit uncomfortable, as we often drink to reduce the noise of our own thoughts. But if you can spend time with those thoughts, you will be better prepared to make changes that can positively affect them. https://ecosoberhouse.com/ Andy explains how a straightforward, 7-stage process enabled him to change a lifelong addiction to alcohol. If you always have a bottle open when watching TV, then it quickly becomes a very hard habit to break.

It is therefore crucial that people turn to options other than alcohol or drugs to relieve boredom. While it’s true that unhealthy drinking habits can be a sign of alcoholism, having a few drinks while bored is not necessarily an indication of an alcohol problem. However, it is important to recognize if your drinking habits are getting out of control. Unhealthy drinking habits could include always relying on alcohol to relieve boredom or finding yourself craving drinks frequently. Many people struggle with drinking out of boredom, and even if they don’t particularly like alcohol or its effects.

Not drinking tonight? 12 tips to help you succeed your no-drinking day with ease.

While it doesn’t automatically indicate alcohol use disorder drinking out of boredom can expose users to the extensive list of short- and long-term health effects due to ongoing alcohol use. Learning healthy coping skills, unfortunately, is not as intuitive as it might seem. Dealing with monotony and underlying mental health issues typically requires self-awareness and outside assistance through various forms of therapy addressing underlying conditions. Honesty plays a large part in treatment and recovery. Honesty promotes trust among peers, aids in building strong bond, promotes healthy coping mechanisms, and enables us to take accountability for our feelings, thoughts, and actions.