Overcoming addiction can get tough if individuals feel alone in this journey. Hence, it affects overall long-term recovery plans as well as increases the chances of going into relapse or depression. Picking up a hobby can brighten the path of addiction recovery as well as your mental health.
In the pursuit of long-term recovery plans and relapse prevention, individuals often seek fulfilling activities that offer peace and connection.
Hobbies like cooking or baking, gardening, journaling or creative writing not only foster personal growth but also contribute to overcoming addiction, depression, and other mental health challenges.
Let them cook now!
Cooking is a life skill along with a hobby and ideally learnt by all adults in general. Cooking boosts the individual’s memory and thinking as they learn to cook new dishes. It takes your thoughts away from your drug or alcohol addiction, which will, in turn, lead to faster recovery from addiction.
Cooking is more than just preparing food; it’s a wonderful hobby that can bring a lot of joy and comfort, especially for those in addiction recovery. Spending time in the kitchen, experimenting with new recipes, and creating delicious meals can be incredibly satisfying and therapeutic.
- Things needed to start: It doesn’t require any fancy equipment to start except your kitchen utensils and cooking gas along with the raw materials or ingredients. Additionally, it is not a seasonal hobby so it can be done anytime the person wants to do it.
- Budget-friendly: The cost incurred will be groceries and nothing more than that. So, people on a tight budget can pursue it as well. The dishes taste the same if you buy discounted items or premium organic ones. Hence, it is very budget-friendly.
- Experience needed: No prior experience is needed, and anyone can start learning as they see fit. Making cooking a very good hobby for people trying to recover from drugs or alcoholism. New people usually like cooking by themselves and love offering people the dishes they cooked by themselves, which boosts their confidence, which is something patients on long-term recovery plans need.
- Clubs: There are cooking clubs and classes available for individuals interested in honing their culinary skills and connecting with others who share a passion for food. People struggling with low self-esteem need people to support them and prevent them from going into relapse and help ease their depression.
Cooking and baking offer more than just nourishment for the body; they nourish the soul as well. For individuals in addiction recovery, these activities can serve as a creative outlet, a form of self-care, and a way to connect with others.
Whether whipping up a comforting meal or baking delicious treats, the act of cooking can be deeply satisfying and empowering. As part of a relapse prevention plan, cooking at home allows individuals to make healthier food choices and develop life skills that support long-term recovery.
Your plant grows with you, but it’s taller!
Gardening is a fantastic hobby that brings a lot of joy and peace, especially for those on the path of addiction recovery. Getting your hands dirty and watching something grow can be incredibly therapeutic and a great way to support mental health.
Whether you’re planting colourful flowers, tasty vegetables, or fragrant herbs, gardening offers a sense of accomplishment and purpose. It’s a wonderful way to stay grounded and focused, making it a valuable part of any relapse prevention plan.
Plus, it’s a soothing activity that can help lift your spirits and keep you connected to your journey of recovery from addiction and depression.
- Things needed to get started: Equipment needed to get started with gardening is commonly available in local stores. Equipment includes gardening tools, seeds or plants, soil and containers (if gardening indoors or on a balcony). As your plant grows, it will give you hope and demonstrate how much you as an individual have grown since quitting drugs and not going into relapse.
- Pricing: The cost of gardening can vary depending on the scale of the garden and the types of plants chosen. However, gardening can be done on a budget by starting small and gradually expanding over time.
- Experience needed: Experience is optional to start gardening. Beginners can begin with easy-to-grow plants and learn as they go. This will allow them to learn new things on the go and not stay at the same level as they were a few months back, which will boost their confidence and in turn benefit their mental health.
- Season-friendly: Gardening can be enjoyed year-round, with different plants thriving in different seasons. Indoor gardening allows individuals to garden regardless of the weather outside.
Gardening offers a lot of benefits for individuals in addiction recovery. From nurturing living things to connecting with nature, gardening promotes mental well-being, reduces stress, and fosters a sense of purpose and accomplishment.
Tending to plants provides a mindful and therapeutic activity that supports long-term recovery plans. As part of a relapse prevention plan, gardening allows individuals to cultivate healthy habits, spend time outdoors, and find solace in the beauty of nature.
Can you tell me a story, please?
Creative writing is a powerful and expressive hobby that can be especially healing for those in addiction recovery. Whether journaling, crafting stories, or writing poetry, putting pen to paper can be incredibly therapeutic.
This hobby supports mental health by providing an outlet for emotions and thoughts, making it an essential part of a relapse prevention plan. Creative writing helps individuals process their journey, making it a valuable tool in long-term recovery plans.
It offers a safe space to explore and express, aiding in the recovery from addiction and depression and bringing a sense of peace and clarity to the mind.
- Things needed to get started: Creative writing doesn’t require any fancy equipment to get started. The main equipment or instrument is your thoughts and creativity.
- Pricing: The cost of creative writing is minimal. All that is needed is either a pen and paper or a laptop; the rest is up to you.
- Experience needed: Experience is optional to start creative writing. You can start by writing short stories or poems and then gradually write or compose your masterpiece in a few months. When you get creative with your thoughts, forget the alcohol addiction or any other drug addiction; it will become your new addiction since one of the most enjoyable experiences in the world is getting applauded for the words you wrote on paper.
Creative writing provides a safe space for individuals in addiction recovery to express themselves, process emotions, and explore their inner world. Whether journaling about daily experiences or crafting fictional stories, writing can be a therapeutic and empowering activity.
As part of a relapse prevention plan, journaling allows individuals to track their progress, identify triggers, and develop coping strategies for maintaining long-term sobriety.
Through hobbies, we not only discover new passions and interests but also reclaim a sense of purpose and identity that may have been lost during the depths of addiction. Whether painting, gardening, or playing an instrument, hobbies offer a therapeutic outlet for self-expression, stress relief, and personal growth. They foster a sense of accomplishment and joy, serving as powerful tools in the journey towards sobriety and overall well-being. So, as you navigate your path to recovery, remember to embrace the healing power of hobbies and allow them to light up your life with newfound inspiration and vitality.
(Click here to see works cited)
- Connors, G.J., DiClemente, C.C., Velasquez, M.M. and Donovan, D.M., 2013. Substance abuse treatment and the stages of change: Selecting and planning interventions. 2nd ed. New York: Guilford Press
- Gorski, T.T. (1989) Passages through recovery: An action plan for preventing relapse. Centre city, MN: Hazelden.