Fun in Early Recovery

Dr. Marvin D. Seppala, Medical Director, CEO
Beyond Addictions

Early recovery is fraught with problems and difficulties. Most people get focused on the seriousness of recovery, and the daily disciplines necessary to prevent relapse become paramount. It’s not easy to stay sober after a life of addiction and it is necessary to prioritize the activities associated with recovery and devote oneself to them. Without this level of attention, abstinence can be tenuous. However, we still need to enjoy our lives.

In the midst of addiction people quit having fun. Daily use of a drug loses its excitement quickly, and it becomes a daily grind complicated by ongoing consequences, shame and guilt. The individual’s whole world revolves around obtaining and using drugs and alcohol, as a result those activities that we used to enjoy get left behind. Almost every interview I have with people entering treatment reveals the loss of interests, hobbies and the fun activities that brought them so much joy in the past. I recently met a guy who was a professional snowboarder and gave it up entirely due to his alcohol use. When I ask new people what they do for fun they often describe all of the things they used to do, in the past tense, because they are no longer participating in the fun and joy that life has to offer. Their lives have been narrowed by the power of the addiction and they usually have not recognized this tremendous loss.

Unfortunately, we tend to be slow to re-establish fun activities. We get sober and we get serious. Sobriety and the working of a recovery program become serious business. It’s as if there’s no time for fun, I have to stay sober. This is a mistake. We need to become re-involved in those activities that provided joy in the past, and develop new ones. The ability to experience joy is not lost, but can seem that way, until we pursue it again. A common misperception is that one can’t dance sober. Other people have never skied without smoking pot, and others have never had sex without drugs and alcohol. What a remarkable feeling to fully experience these wonderful activities in sobriety!

Early recovery is about change, so how about committing to something new and fun? It can be as simple as going to the beach, or as complicated as a new sport that requires lessons, like golf. What about taking dancing lessons? Samba anyone? There are so many things to choose from, the possibilities are endless. Grab some recovering friends and commit to enjoying your life. Get out and try something new or re-engage in a lost hobby, but don’t think that recovery is entirely about seriousness and discipline. Have some fun!