Can a New Hobby Help You to Live Your Best Life in Recovery?

Though most people enter treatment due to the harsh physical toll that substance use disorders take on the body, one of the often unsung benefits of sobriety is the overall improved quality of life experienced by those who are committed to making healthy choices for themselves. In recovery, one has opportunities. There is hope. A world of options opens up that may not have even been dreamt of during active addiction.

Suddenly, when drugs and alcohol are no longer a factor, things like learning Chinese, planting a garden, working toward a political cause, or delivering meals to people who can’t leave their homes can actually happen. Anything can happen because drugs, alcohol, and cravings and all the consequences of drug use are no longer calling the shots. You are.

Can a New Hobby Help You Stay Sober?

Some people credit connecting with a new hobby with their very sobriety. They say that if they had not discovered yoga during drug rehab or met someone in treatment who taught them how to cook or started working with a personal trainer in early recovery they would not have been able to stay sober. Committing to and focusing on an activity that makes you feel good can provide you with many of the things you may have sought from drug use — a sense of connection, an endorphin rush, something to do — without the horrific consequences.

As long as you maintain a strong connection to the therapies and medical care that help you address the symptoms of trauma and addiction, a new hobby can help you to really feel solid in recovery.

What New Hobbies Are Right for You?

As you consider what new hobbies may help you to discover who you are without drugs and alcohol, remember:

· You may need to “kiss a few frogs” before you find something that really resonates with you.

· It’s okay to fail.

· As long as it does not cause undue stress, put you in dangerous situations, harm other people or yourself, or trigger cravings or relapse, pretty much anything goes.

· You do not necessarily have to choose just one hobby. You can pick a few things you find interesting and just see where you end up.

Building a Strong Foundation for Your New Life

Before you can add on to your life and make it better by exploring new interests and hobbies, you must first eradicate the habits that sabotage your progress and your happiness. For firefighters and other first responders struggling with addiction and/or PTSD, American Addiction Centers has created the First Responder Lifeline Program, a program designed to provide intensive treatment and a fresh start with:

· Treatment plans that are focused on first responders

· Full evaluations designed to identify PTSD symptoms

· Unique combination of therapies that are motivational and interactive

· A multidisciplinary team of therapists and other medical professionals who are trained to work with first responders

· PTSD-specific treatments that are proven to be effective

· Support and education for family members

· Long-term aftercare and support

· Reintegration assistance

Do you need help building a strong foundation for yourself in recovery and getting back on track? Contact us at (888) 731-FIRE (3473) today to learn more about our highly acclaimed treatment program.