Many people in drug rehabilitation have this notion that the “fun” in their lives has ended with sobriety. This is not the case however, as recovering alcoholics and addicts can do everything they’ve once done to have fun— just without alcohol or drugs. Recovery from an alcohol addiction or recovery from a drug addiction is all about learning a new way to live, which doesn’t include alcohol or drugs, but still includes all of the fun events and activities you once did.
Drug Rehabilitation
A drug rehabilitation center should encourage guests to build strong sober support networks, and guests will find that having fun without substances is easy! The people in your support network, who have time in sobriety, will show you first-hand how much fun you can have. Rehabilitation for substance abuse doesn’t have to transform your personality and make your life lackluster, it does quite the opposite. Many people find that they allow themselves to enjoy life’s moments much more in sobriety than when they were active in addiction.
Taking drugs and alcohol out of the equation will help you have fun in whichever way you’d like without having to worry about being aloof, hungover, or needing more drugs or alcohol later. You have freedom in sobriety, as you are not constrained by substances. Your struggle with drugs and alcohol doesn’t need to impact your social life, in fact, you can be even more social and have more fun than ever before. Just because you’re sober now, doesn’t mean you have to give up the excitement of doing something completely spontaneous. Here are 10 spontaneous things to do in early recovery from an alcohol or drug addiction:
1. organize a scavenger hunt
Gather a group of friends, set a city wide parameter for your scavenger hunt take place, and create a list of objectives. Set up teams, charge up your cell phones, and begin the scavenger hunt, taking pictures to prove completion of each objective. This is a spontaneous and fun activity, and the healthy competition will engage all of your friends.
2. have a last-minute dodgeball tournament
Pick a park to have the tournament at, invite friends and choose teams. Devise a game plan, get a few dodgeballs and get to playing! You can make this tournament a regular thing, like a once-monthly dodgeball tournament. This is a great game because dodgeball is always fun and competitive, and people really get into it. Bring soda and hotdogs or hamburgers to have a cookout after the tournament. Not only is this pure fun, but it also is physical wellness and a day of exercise.
3. plan a weekend getaway
Do you ever have one of those places that you’ve never been to, but have always wanted to visit? Now is the time! Choose a destination, pack accordingly, and get away for the weekend. You can explore somewhere new, either alone, with friends, or with a significant other.
4. get lost
This old, classic comeback is actually great advice. Take a train or bus with no set destination in mind, get off when you feel like it, and explore somewhere totally new to you! You could be a half hour outside of your town or city, or a couple of hours away. This is a great way to explore new places, without having to make a whole trip out of it. This activity is particularly spontaneous, and can spark some really exciting results. Make this a day trip, or if you end up falling in love with a new town, stay there for a night. There are no rules besides staying safe and having fun!
5. take a roadtrip
Extra spontaneity if you drive down random roads and find new, cool places along the way. Just listening to music while you’re driving is very therapeutic. Taking a roadtrip will introduce you to new sights, sounds, stores, smells; the possibilities are endless! Take a couple of scenic routes and fall in love with different areas along the way. Make rest stops at unique stores and cool little bookshops; there is so much excitement to be had in early recovery, just by exploring your interests.
6. score last-minute tickets and go somewhere!
Websites like Groupon are great for finding last-minute, discounted tickets for things like concerts, deals at local spas, a fancy dinner, a show at the comedy club, etc. Score last-minute tickets for you and a friend, and go somewhere exciting! Last-minute plans are often the best plans, as they lead to unexpectedly fun-filled nights.
7. update your look
Get a new haircut, or dye your hair, go thrifting for a new style, buy a different lipstick. All of these small changes can make a big impact! It’s fun and spontaneous to change your look from time to time, and it can make you feel like a whole new person! Have you always wanted red hair? Dye it! The time is now, because if not now, then when?
8. try a new cuisine
Have you ever had Thai food? How about Ethiopian cuisine? Try something totally new and exciting! Not only are you feeding your body, but you’re feeding your mind with tasting foods from different cultures. Bonus points if you research the nation beforehand, and learn a little bit about their history and food history!
9. search for DIY (do it yourself) projects and pick one!
Look on websites like Google or Pinterest and find a unique DIY project and get to crafting! Doing a project from start to finish will bring you satisfaction, and you’ll be amazed at what you can create by yourself. Whether you choose to make something for your home, yourself, your pet, or someone else, creating is always spontaneous and fun.
10. go out for a karaoke night
Just because you aren’t drinking or using drugs, doesn’t mean your night can’t end with belting out classic songs at a karaoke bar. Invite friends, and be sure to invite sober friends who have more time and experience in sobriety, and head out for the night for some wholesome, off-key karaoke!
Have Fun
Royal Life Centers encourages guests to have fun in sobriety, and we do everything we can to support self-exploration by providing opportunities for guests to learn about things that bring them joy. Royal Life Centers offers adventure therapy, activity therapy, and equine therapy for self-discovery through therapeutic experiences. Just because you have gone through substance abuse treatment, doesn’t mean you have to give up having fun. Addiction treatment programs include skills and tools for guests to use to rebuild lives rooted in happiness, health, success, and meaning. Our holistic approach treats the mind, body, and spirit for a full recovery. The most important thing is maintaining your sobriety, while also living a meaningful life.
Drug and Alcohol Recovery
Royal Life Centers addresses substance abuse and mental health, for a whole recovery process. Our treatment options include both inpatient treatment and outpatient treatment programs. The first step of the recovery process starts at one of our medical detox centers, to take care of drug or alcohol withdrawal and stabilization. Royal Life Centers also offers treatment programs including: a residential inpatient program, a partial hospitalization program (PHP), an intensive outpatient program (IOP), an outpatient program (OP), sober living and graduate housing. Guests work closely with their case manager and primary therapist to develop a treatment plan specifically tailored to meet their individual needs and goals. Royal Life Centers uses proven effective treatment methods, and only the best practices. Our treatment centers are located in Washington state and Arizona.
If you or someone you know has a drug or drinking problem, please reach out to our addiction specialists for guidance and support to start the recovery process. Our team is available to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (877)-RECOVERY or (877)-732-6837. Because We Care.
