Sober Activities

“If I am going to be miserable, I might as well be drunk.”

I don’t know anyone who has been able to abstain from alcohol and or other drugs without incorporating fun in their lives.  The definition of the word fun just needs a little revising…

For the alcoholic/addict fun and using have been utterly linked in their minds.  When you think about it they are partially correct.   “Hanging out” is not nearly as enjoyable and can even be downright boring when the people you are with are intoxicated and you are sober.  What using people often do not realize is how many activities are available to them and how their use has hindered them from taking advantage of all that life has to offer.

Stay open minded, try new things, reach out to someone else.

Some great sober activities include: 

HOBBIES: Antiquing, rock, coin, stamp, seashell, etc… collecting,
jig saw puzzles, cross word puzzles, photography, scrap-booking, fishing, bird watching, boating, camping, gardening, kite flying, writing, journaling, poetry, reading, remote control helicopters, working on cars, computers, cooking, …

COMMUNITY ACTVITIES: Acting, aquariums, art exhibits, astronomy, music, museums, lectures, politics, sightseeing, daytrips, theater, zoos, tag sales, flea markets, movies, back to school, shopping, AA / NA meetings, amusement parks, rollercoasters, Nature Centers, parades, Holiday activities, classes, check your local library and newspaper for community activity listings….

EXERCISE: Walking, hiking, balancing activities, stretching, yoga, aerobics, canoeing, strength training, bicycling, martial arts, bike riding, swimming, jogging, dancing, tennis, shuffle-board, fitness club, hula hoop, line dancing,….

BOARD GAMES/PARTY GAMES: cards, chess, checkers, backgammon, dominoes, bridge, scrabble, monopoly, Parcheesi, charades, Taboo, Pictionary,…

CRAFTS: Knitting, macramé, needlepoint, woodworking, sculpting, pottery, beading, model making, painting, candle making, scrap-booking, Holiday crafts,…

SPORTS: golf, bowling, baseball, softball, football, basketball, soccer, auto racing, boating, Frisbee, ping pong, shuffle board, ice skating, tennis, skiing, bocce, darts, horseshoes, …

MUSIC: playing, listening, watching, concerts, singing,…

SERENITY: breathing, beach, parks, streams, lakes, place of worship, church, bible reading, pray, daily meditation readings, candles, chocolate, sense of humor, kite flying, cloud gazing, helping others, random acts of kindness,..

ENTERTAINMENT: Poetry readings, Astronomy, ballet, movies, comedy clubs, bingo, picnics, video games, dancing, TV shows, magazines, newspapers, eating out, social activities, playgrounds, travel,

VOLUNTEERING: AA Intergroup, AA Clubs, Habitat for Humanity, mentoring, Recovery Coaching, tutoring, library, museum, hospitals, Alley Theatre, SPCA, Food Bank,…