22 Things to Do Instead of Drink

Clocking out of the office and heading to the local happy hour is a very popular way to relax after a grueling workday. We’ve compiled a list of things for you to try during your next dry month or to include in your current sober lifestyle. We all have our reasons for going alcohol-free. Click below to start your recovery journey today! The next step is to talk to someone about those feelings.

c. Attend alcohol-free events

Host a craft night. “Set up a still life or find a beautiful location for inspiration, and dive into watercolor painting.” Get in touch with your family (chosen family works too!), and ask them how they’re feeling right now. Set up a still life or find a beautiful location for inspiration, and dive into watercolor painting.

• Lantana Recovery offers professional guidance to help you rebuild your social life in a way that aligns with your sobriety goals.
• Being part of a community with shared interests can reduce feelings of isolation and provide encouragement on your sobriety journey.
• Some people will be sober their whole lives (or the rest of their lives), and some may dabble in sobriety throughout various seasons.
• Learning and mastering new skills through hobbies can provide a sense of accomplishment and boost self-esteem.

Where can I find support for building a sober lifestyle beyond activities?

The benefits of incorporating hobbies into a recovery plan are numerous and far-reaching. Hobbies offer a pathway to a richer, more fulfilling life in recovery. Hobbies play a vital role in the recovery process by providing a positive focus, promoting well-being, and supporting long-term sobriety. Recovery from Alcohol Use Disorder is a journey of transformation, a process of rebuilding a life free from the grip of addiction. Whether you are sober-curious, abstaining from alcohol, or joining Surely’s Dry Month Challenge, it can be tough at times to stay on track.

Rediscover Your Confidence

If your past relationships were impacted by substance use, learning more about why an alcoholic cannot love can help you recognize emotional patterns and begin rebuilding trust. Game nights bring people together in a fun, low-pressure environment that naturally encourages conversation, laughter, and connection. Alcohol is often tied to celebration, connection, or even just “fitting in”, but genuine social experiences don’t require drinking. For many people, drinking once served as a form of temporary escape or excitement, skating offers that same rush in a much healthier form. Whether it’s a trail through the woods or a quiet path through your neighborhood, consistent walks can become a healthy ritual that replaces drinking as a coping mechanism. Natural environments have been shown to lower cortisol levels and improve emotional regulation, benefits that are especially critical when breaking drinking habits.

c. Replace alcohol-centered routines with competition and fun

Catch a game from a local sports team, whether it’s a high school team, college athletes, or an intramural league. Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks top it all off. How often does a social night out get in the way of your grounding routines?

Every month, we launch fun challenges, like Dry/Damp January, Sober Spring, and Outdoorsy June. We recently launched our in-app chatbot, Melody, who is powered by the world’s most powerful AI technology. You’ll meet hundreds of fellow Reframers from around the globe in our 24/7 Forum chat and daily Zoom check-in meetings.

Inexpensive Self-Care Ideas For Your 2025 Routine

As you reduce your alcohol intake, you’ll find you have more time and energy. By focusing on these practical strategies, you can create a solid foundation for lasting change and build habits that align with the healthier, more present life you want to live. Being part of a community with shared interests can reduce feelings of isolation and provide encouragement on your sobriety journey. Learning and mastering new skills through hobbies can provide a sense of accomplishment and boost self-esteem. Engaging in fulfilling hobbies can offer healthier outlets for these feelings.

Only keep the pieces you love and resell or donate the garments that still have life left. Which pieces suit your lifestyle? Spend time with your loved ones — or just have a quiet evening alone. Have a bonfire (make sure it’s contained properly and check current fire regulations for your area first).

• Drinking is a social activity for many people, so it may feel like a challenge to give it up.
• Game nights are especially helpful during the early stages of change, offering social engagement without temptation.
• Below are a few creative outlets that support emotional wellness and reduce the urge to drink.
• Excelling at something meaningful will fill the void previously occupied by alcohol, enriching your life in unexpected ways.
• Whether it’s sculpting, pottery, or dance, immersing yourself in the arts can provide an emotional and fulfilling outlet.

Stick to a Routine

After a week or so, your body will start to recognize the bedtime routine and you’ll feel sleepy in no time. This section is for those who have a tough time falling asleep at night. You may even find a local foraging class to learn a bit more about the area you’re traversing! Here are some ways to maintain a social calendar while you’re exploring sobriety. Reading improves your cognitive function, builds your vocabulary, and has also helped fight depression! It takes practice but meditation brings peace and calm to the mind, while at the same time enhancing focus and physical and emotional well-being.

By filling that time with something engaging, you’re not just distracting yourself; you’re actively building a new, more fulfilling routine. While tools like the Reframe app provide daily support and a community to cheer you on, this journey is uniquely yours. They can help you figure out the safest way to cut back, especially for anyone who might be physically dependent and needs support to stop drinking completely. If you feel you’ve been drinking heavily or too often, getting a doctor’s input is a smart first step. This is where finding the right hobbies to replace drinking becomes a game-changer.

Join a Class or Trivia Night

This guide offers practical ideas for hobbies other than drinking and helps you find something you truly love, making your long-term recovery more fulfilling. By integrating new hobbies, physical activities, social alternatives, creative outlets, Hobbies to replace drinking and self-care practices, you begin to replace the mental and emotional role alcohol once played. It deepens your commitment to staying alcohol-free and helps you align your daily actions with a life you genuinely want to build.

Making space for reflection reinforces the idea that your time and attention are worth protecting. Whether you spend five minutes in the morning reviewing your intentions or journaling before bed, these practices create mental clarity and emotional grounding. Simple practices like journaling, guided self-inquiry, or setting aside quiet time each day allow you to reconnect with your goals and values. As you progress, you build confidence in your ability to stay committed and follow through on personal goals. Whether you’re exploring self-help, psychology, memoirs, or philosophy, reading allows you to reflect, learn, and expand your worldview. Reading books that challenge your thinking, inspire change, or offer practical tools can become a cornerstone of a healthier lifestyle.

Focus on self-care instead of alcohol

In this article, we’ll explore how to have fun without alcohol and discover what to do instead of drinking. Wondering what to do instead of drinking at night or looking for fun things to do when drinking is no longer an option? The supportive atmosphere encourages exploration without the pressure to engage in drinking, making it perfect for those looking to expand their social interactions. Participating in local art classes can serve as a transformative alternative to drinking, allowing you to express your creativity while meeting new people.

Personal Growth

Go camping, even if it’s only in your backyard (or on your patio, if it’s safe to do so). Here is a resource for our Los Angeles friends, but here is a handy guide to planning a cleanup no matter where you’re at. Bring a pal along and make it a social call. Here are some fun recipes to try out. Establish a daily meditation or mindfulness habit — you can schedule it for moments when you are particularly craving a cold one. Wherever you are on the spectrum of sobriety, know that you’re not alone.

Stepping out of your comfort zone is a great way to build confidence and meet new people. These friendships are based on genuine interests, not just a shared habit of drinking. Reconnecting with people who care about you reinforces your support system and reminds you that you’re not alone on this path.