Being in rehab can be a challenging time for individuals trying to recover from substance abuse. It’s important to find healthy outlets and activities to fill the void left by drugs or alcohol.
Trying new hobbies is a great way to do just that. Here are five new hobbies you can try after rehab to help maintain your sobriety and improve your overall well-being.
Gardening: Cultivating a Healthy Habit for Addiction Recovery
Gardening is a therapeutic activity that can benefit those in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. It allows individuals to connect with nature, reduces stress and anxiety, and provides a sense of purpose and accomplishment.
Gardening also requires patience, discipline, and responsibility – all important qualities to develop during recovery.
Start small with a few potted plants or herbs, and gradually build up to a full garden. You will have beautiful plants to tend to, and you can also grow your fruits and vegetables for a healthy diet.
Bonus: Share Your Homegrown with Friends and Family Members
Substance use disorder can be difficult in relationships. Gardening can help bridge the gap with family and friends. Share your harvest with them – it’s a great way to spend quality time together and show your loved ones how much you care.
Cooking: A Delicious Route to Addiction Treatment Success
Cooking is not only a great life skill to have, but it can also be a fun and therapeutic hobby. Like gardening, cooking requires focus and patience, which can help individuals with substance use disorders develop important coping skills. Plus, cooking your own meals allows you to control what goes into your food and make choices that support your new, healthy lifestyle.
Start by trying out simple recipes and gradually work your way up to more challenging dishes. You can also experiment with different cuisines and cooking techniques to keep things interesting.
Bonus: Cook and Donate to a Local Shelter
Consider using your cooking skills to give back to the community by donating meals to a local shelter or soup kitchen. This helps those in need and gives you a sense of purpose and fulfillment that can help you avoid relapse.
Exercise: Boosting Sobriety and Well-Being After Drug Abuse
Exercise is a powerful tool for recovering from drug abuse, offering both physical and psychological benefits. Regular physical activity can help reduce cravings, improve mood, increase energy levels, and promote better sleep, which can help individuals with a substance use disorder maintain their sobriety. Exercise can also provide a healthy outlet for stress and tension.
Furthermore, setting and achieving fitness goals can provide a sense of accomplishment and self-efficacy crucial to maintaining sobriety. Whether it be a daily walk, yoga, weightlifting, or a team sport, find an activity that you enjoy and incorporate it into your routine.
Bonus: Build Healthy Relationships with New Sober Friends in a Fitness Group
This is another activity that you can do with sober friends. Exercise can be a great way to receive peer support, practice accountability, and stay sober. Join a fitness group or class to meet new like-minded individuals who share your commitment to living a healthy, sober lifestyle.
Art: Igniting Creativity and Finding Inner Peace and Mental Health
Art therapy has been shown to be effective in helping individuals recover from addiction. It allows for self-expression, reduces stress and anxiety, improves self-esteem, and promotes relaxation.
Plus, creating art can be a meditative process that helps individuals tune out negative thoughts and focus on the present moment. Whether it be painting, drawing, sculpting, or crafting, explore different forms of art and see what resonates with you. You can also join a local art class or group for added support and social interaction.
Many treatment programs for recovering addictions have art therapy as part of the recovery process, so continue exploring your creativity and its ability to bring peace and healing to your life.
Bonus: Consider Art Forms that Double as Self-Care Practices
Some activities, such as playing a musical instrument or writing, can be art forms and serve as self-care practices. Music has been shown to have therapeutic effects on the brain and can help individuals with substance use disorders regulate emotions and cope with stress. Writing in a journal is another form of self-expression that can promote reflection and emotional release.
Volunteering: Fostering Connection and Empathy in Drug Addiction Recovery
Volunteering is a rewarding and impactful way to support your recovery journey. By dedicating your time and skills to a cause, you can find purpose, broaden your social network, and develop a better understanding of the struggles others face. This can be particularly meaningful for recovering addictions, as it provides a perspective that can strengthen empathy and resilience.
Seek opportunities that align with your interests and values, such as community clean-ups, mentoring programs, or volunteering at a local drug or alcohol abuse recovery center.
This experience not only benefits those you’re helping but can also play a pivotal role in maintaining your own sobriety and mental well-being.
Bonus: Volunteer at A Support Group
You can also volunteer at support groups for recovering addicts, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). By attending meetings (available on the AA site) and helping work with support groups, you’re building your relapse prevention skills and developing a support network, and you can help other individuals who may be struggling with their addiction.
Continuing Therapy after Finishing a Rehab Program
While engaging in new hobbies and activities can greatly benefit those in recovery, it’s important to continue therapy and support after completing a rehab program at a treatment facility.
Individual therapy provides a safe space to process emotions, address any underlying issues, and develop healthy coping mechanisms for the challenges that may arise during sobriety.
Continuing therapy also helps individuals stay accountable and motivated to not relapse into substance abuse. Remember, recovery from substance use disorders is a lifelong process, and having that added support from a mental health professional can help individuals stay on track and maintain their sobriety even when things become difficult. Don’t be afraid to seek out therapy even after completing an addiction recovery program.
Don’t Be Ashamed of Relapsing
Relapse is a common part of the recovery process and does not mean failure. If you do experience a relapse, it’s important to be honest with yourself and seek help as soon as possible.
Quit Alcohol and Continue Your Sober Lifestyle
With the right support and tools, you can overcome any setbacks and continue on your journey to a healthier, happier life.
At Quit Alcohol, we understand that preventing relapse is only one part of staying sober and that sometimes individuals need to re-enter a rehab program at a treatment center to break free from alcohol or drug addiction.
Reach out to us via our online contact form and let us know if you are struggling with alcohol or drug use. We can recommend treatment centers that meet your needs and provide rehab programs that align with your substance use disorder recovery goals.
