What do you envision addiction recovery to be like? You may have been told that it involves a lot of hard work. While hard work is part of the process, did you know that recovery can also be fun? You can be exposed to a fun-loving lifestyle which is beneficial to your mental health. A recovery community that values a fun and self-care-centered culture can help you rebuild your social life and meaningful relationships.

Recovery From Addiction Does Not Need to Be Boring

People who regularly use recreational drugs or alcohol often think they need to do so to have a good time. They may think that discontinuing substance use may lead to a boring lifestyle. However, even recreational use can stop being fun after a while. You try to chase the same high by repeatedly increasing the frequency or dosage until you’re hooked and can’t quit on your own. Addiction brings relationship problems, undermines work productivity, and can cause things like anxiety and depression.

Once you enter treatment, it does take a lot of work for you to get these substances out of your system. It also takes hard work to maintain sobriety and complete the various therapeutic interventions that treatment demands. Some people worry that they may never have fun again in life once they commit to sobriety. The world can seem bleak and bland without substances, but in reality, addiction recovery can be fun. Connecting with a fun-loving recovery community can teach you how to enjoy genuine and fulfilling—and sober—things in life.

When you examine how sober fun was missing before, you might realize that because substances have hijacked your senses to such a heightened level, you no longer appreciated normal, fun activities, such as spending quality time with family members, catching up with friends, participating in sports, or simply enjoying nature. In recovery, all these sober activities will begin to feel fun again because the pleasure system of your brain is healing.

What Fun in Recovery Looks Like

Recovering individuals may find sobriety a bit like stepping into the unknown. Having fun in sobriety may look like spending time outside hiking, surfing, or fishing. You might find a creative hobby you enjoy, like photography, painting, or creative writing. You might develop an affinity for raising a pet, volunteering, or any number of other fun activities. Talk to staff in your treatment center about their sober culture of enjoyment. They may offer many sober activities including guided nature exploration, game and movie nights, and art or music-making sessions.

When you participate in these activities, don’t consider them like other forms of therapy. What matters most are the people you are connecting with through doing these activities together. As human beings, we find fulfillment through building deep and meaningful relationships. Most treatment centers have alumni programs that organize fun activities such as bowling or rock climbing.

Experimenting With Fun Sober Activities

The more time you spend being sober, the more you will recognize what you like to do as sober forms of recreation. Consider this as a rare window of time to experiment with new activities, including adventurous sports. For example, white water rafting or horseback riding can be new and refreshing choices. If you like to travel, plan for a road trip with family or friends. Learning a new skill can also be a new adventure.

Because you are at a point in your life where so much is changing, now is the perfect time to try things you never thought you might. You may discover something you love in a completely unexpected place. Get out of your comfort zone and do something that scares you or something you never imagined yourself getting the chance to do. Maybe you’ll love it and have a new hobby to chase. Even if you don’t end up liking it, at least you took a chance and experimented with something new.

The Fun of Adopting a Pet

If you feel you can manage more responsibility, you may consider adopting a pet. Animals provide powerful emotional support to entire families. Adopting a pet may help with your long-term recovery and the rebuilding of family relationships. Spending time with pets creates joyful memories and is a great way to introduce structure and responsibility into your life.

Recovery is a journey of self-exploration. There may just be a fun-loving part in you waiting to be fulfilled. As you increasingly feel comfortable and grounded in a sober lifestyle, there is a wide arena of meaningful activities waiting to be explored. As you discover the fun you can have even when you’re sober, you may find life more fulfilling than ever.

If you are hesitant to receive treatment for addiction because you’re worried that leaving recreational drugs behind will eliminate fun from your life, know that there is fun to be had in sobriety. Becoming part of a fun-loving recovery community can make the journey of recovery more fulfilling. Not only will you get emotional support, you can also begin self-exploration. At Laguna Shores Recovery, our experienced mental health professionals encourage recovering individuals to enjoy and embrace the fun of sober life. We have excellent residential activities and alumni programs to connect you with fun activities, including animals, creative therapies, and other fun events designed by our fun-loving staff. We embrace a holistic approach to addiction recovery to help our clients achieve wholeness in body, mind, and soul. Let us help you on this journey of self-discovery. For more information, call 954-688-5806.