Hobbies and Activities To Do in Addiction Recovery
An important element of recovering from drug or alcohol addiction is ensuring that you keep yourself involved in hobbies and activities that you enjoy. Allowing yourself to grow bored, depressed, or anti-social can lead you right back to drinking or using drugs.
In this article, we will discuss why activities and hobbies in recovery are as important as they are, what their benefits are, and share some common hobbies that people in recovery have found enjoyment and success with.
Benefits of Healthy Hobbies & Activities in Recovery
Engaging in healthy hobbies and activities plays a vital role in addiction recovery, offering numerous benefits that support your general well-being. These can include:
- Replacing negative behavioral patterns.
- Reducing stress and triggers.
- Boosting self-esteem and overall confidence.
- Improving upon physical and mental health.
- Developing a sense of purpose.
One of the greatest benefits that comes from developing healthy activities and hobbies is preventing boredom. Research shows that people who are new to recovery often have 16 hours or more of unoccupied free time per day, as they are no longer spending time obtaining, using, or recovering from substance use.1 Suddenly having a significant amount of unoccupied time and/or being bored in recovery can trigger old patterns, such as using drugs or alcohol or engaging in behaviors that are counterproductive to staying sober. Therefore, filling that space is absolutely vital.
Healthy Activities & Hobbies for Recovery
While hobbies and activities are crucial for recovery, their effectiveness is amplified when incorporated into a structured daily routine. Knowing what to expect each day helps alleviate feelings of disorganization, reinforces responsibility and commitments, and establishes a foundation for long-term stability.
Discovering sober hobbies that align with your interests and needs may take time, but rehab can be a valuable space for this exploration. By trying various activities offered in inpatient or outpatient programs, you can begin to establish a solid foundation that supports your continued recovery. Examples of some of the most common activities & hobbies people in recovery participate in include those listed below.
Get Physical
Participating in physical activities in rehab can help you manage stress levels as you begin your recovery.2 Physical exercise can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, and group physical activities (like team sports and exercise classes) can help you build a community that can support your recovery.2 Joining local clubs or participating in recreational activities (like YMCA-organized basketball or volleyball leagues) can help you get to know others with similar interests.
Learn Something New
For many people, taking on a new challenge can help to take away cravings and provide a positive, productive outlet. Learning to play an instrument, starting a garden, or joining a local choir can all help you discover your creative gifts while helping you through your recovery.
Attend Self-Help Groups
Many people find self-help groups to be positive and helpful sober activities that you can rely on anytime, anywhere. Communities like Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and others can help you both get the support you need and make a difference in your community. As you get to know your local self-help group community, becoming more involved by getting a sponsor, leading groups, or setting up the meeting space can all help you feel connected.
Work With Your Hands
Hobbies in recovery that involve working with your hands can provide you with a way to relieve stress while creating something beautiful. Painting, knitting, journaling, drawing, and scrapbooking can all provide stress relief alongside a sense of accomplishment.
Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness—the practice of being fully aware and engaged in the present moment—can be a valuable tool throughout the recovery process. Participating in yoga, meditation, nature walks, and prayer can all provide valuable mindfulness practices. Mindfulness isn’t just valuable as a stress-relieving tool—it may provide relief from symptoms of depression, stress, and chronic pain and may even help to relieve withdrawal symptoms.3
Start the Recovery Journey
At American Addiction Centers, our team is here to help you begin the recovery process. We understand that you likely have many questions at the start of your treatment, including whether you’ll need to go through medical detox before the start of your treatment, if you should attend an inpatient drug and alcohol rehab program or an outpatient addiction treatment program, and what a typical day in rehab might look like. and how you can utilize your health insurance coverage for rehab. We’ll be here for you through every step of the treatment process, including to assist you with health insurance coverage for rehab.
Reach out to us today at to get the support you deserve.