100 Activities During Addiction Recovery

Let’s be honest: recovering from addiction can be overwhelming. Withdrawal symptoms, recurrent cravings, and mental health implications all seem like big hurdles on the recovery pathway.

But with determination and resilience, you can overcome all the challenges. We have compiled a list of transformative activities to motivate, uplift, inspire, and help you through the healing process.

Looking for support or guidance during addiction recovery? Call our confidential helpline 844.445.2565. We are here for you.

Healing Your Mind And Body

Prioritizing your well-being over everything else is the best thing you can do for yourself. These self-care activities will empower you to rediscover yourself.

1)Exercise daily. Exercise is the best way to produce dopamine (a hormone associated with feelings of pleasure) naturally.
2) Meditate whenever you feel overwhelmed. Meditation works great for emotional regulation and stress relief.
3) Start yoga for mindfulness. Yoga helps you to stay focused and look within yourself.
4) Eat nutritious foods. After all, a healthy body leads to a healthy mind.
5) Stay hydrated.
6) Make homemade meals and share them with your friends and family.
7) Make a list of things that make you happy.
8) Take a walk to clear your head.
9) Reconnect with nature. Nature will help you feel calm, relaxed, and more peaceful.
10) Cuddle up with your favorite cozy blanket and take deep breaths.
11) Listen to positive affirmations.
12) Listen to relaxing music.
13) Listen to relaxing natural sounds, such as rain sounds, on YouTube.
14) Organize your thoughts by writing them in a journal.
15) Plan an outing in a peaceful place, like watching the sun

Self-Care Activities

Prioritizing your well-being over everything else is the best thing you can do for yourself. These self-care activities will empower you to rediscover yourself.

1) Start self-care Sundays where you prioritize your well-being.
2) Start a skincare or makeup routine that you enjoy.
3) Dress up every day, even if you are not going out. Getting ready helps you to get motivated to get things done.
4) Check-in with your therapist, doctor, or recovery counselor if you are feeling low.
5) Prioritize good quality sleep to rejuvenate both your body and mind.
6) Switch from late nights to early mornings. You will feel more energetic and active.
7) Set a morning routine. It helps to set the tone for the day.
8) Go out to a salon to pamper yourself. You deserve all the love and pampering.
9) Plan a spa day with your friends.
10) Have social media-free days to reduce stress.
11|) Start gratitude journaling. Write the things you are grateful about. It will help you appreciate what you have.
12) Look into aromatherapy. Aromatic oils, candles, and scents are great for improving your mood.
13) Recognize the way you think about yourself and give yourself a positive self-talk.
14) Place sticky notes around your house celebrating your milestones.
15) Treat yourself to a therapeutic massage.

Social Activities

Being productive during addiction recovery helps you to manage and achieve your goals more efficiently. Here are a few examples to inspire you to start a productive activity:

1) Connect with your friends and family.
2) Join support groups, for example, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
3) Visit your neighborhood.
4) Join a book club.
5) Enroll in a course according to your interest. For example: art class, dance class, pottery or cooking class.

6) Participate in a sport of your interest. It will keep you healthy and will help you make new friends.
7) Book a vacation. It does not have to be an expensive one. Just go on a trip to a place you have never been before and explore.
8) Join coffee clubs.
9) Go on camping trips.
10) Join group therapy. Group therapy will help you heal and stay committed to the treatment.

Adopt A Hobby

Hobbies are a great way to break your monotonous routine and take time for yourself to do something you are passionate about. They can help you replace addiction with a productive activity.

1) Adopt and take care of a pet. Pets can be great companions
2) You can learn to knit.
3) Learn painting and handicraft.
4) You can document your recovery journey through blogging or vlogging.

5) Keep a plant alive. It will give you a sense of responsibility and achievement.
6) Start cooking or baking,
7) Build a collection of collectibles, such as antiques.
8) Learn to play a new instrument.
9) Join a singing or a dance group.

Be Productive

Being productive during addiction recovery helps you to manage and achieve your goals more efficiently. Here are a few examples to inspire you to start a productive activity:

1) Write a letter to your future self, envisioning your goals.
2) Take personality tests to get to know yourself better.
3) Find something you are good at and incorporate it into your life.
4) Plan your day and include at least two productive activities
5) Declutter your house.
6) Catch up with news related to your work.
7) Visit a virtual museum.
8) Clean and reorganize your closet. Cleaning and organizing give a feeling of self-control.
9) Try out new recipes.
10) Discover your creative side by writing short stories or taking photographs.
11) Redecorate your house. Redecorating will give you a fresh start.
12) Paint your old furniture.
13) Make a photo album of your best moments.
14) Paint a wall.
15) Recycle or upcycle your old clothes.

Expand Your Horizons

1) Learn a new language.
2) Learn a new skill, for example, web development.
3) Take online courses.
4) Make an online or pen friend of a different culture.
5) Watch TV shows of other cultures and countries.
6) Try something new that you are afraid to do.
7) Make new healthy relationships.
8) Recognize the things or people who are holding you back.
9) Find a new routine that makes you feel more energized.
10) Recognize self-growth opportunities.
11) Never doubt yourself or underestimate yourself when taking a new opportunity.
12) Implement an outside-of-the-box idea.
13) Surround yourself with smart people.
14) Read local newspapers of different countries.
15) Look for a side job that you will enjoy.

Charitable Acts For Internal Peace

1) Donate the things you do not need.
2) Volunteer for charity organizations working in your community.
3) Take part in a charity run.
4) Offer to teach a skill you know.
5) Volunteer at soup kitchens and old houses

6) Deliver toys to orphanages.
7) Set up charity drives in your neighborhood.
8) Collect wish list items for local charities.
9) Adopt a pet from your local animal shelter.
10) Offer to share your story in recovery groups.

Watch,Read, and Listen

1) Listen to inspiring TED talks.
2) Follow sober communities and groups online.
3) Follow the journey of people who have recovered from addiction.
4) Watch inspiring documentaries.
5) Listen to the recovery podcasts.

6) Read a new book.
7) Follow social media influencers who have maintained their sobriety.
8) Make a Spotify music list to uplift you when you feel anxious.
9) Binge-watch a TV show that makes you laugh.
10) Watch fairytales and rom-com movies that will help you feel love in the air again.

The Most Important Activity

The most important thing you can do to speed up your recovery is to write about how you feel and talk about it with your therapist or doctor.

We often shy away from asking for professional help. Doctors and addiction therapists are equipped to help you navigate through stressful situations and teach you coping strategies to help you with your recovery. They can help you deal with your emotions and understand your point of view. It also will help your doctors take a more custom approach towards your treatment.

If you are looking for compassionate doctors, please schedule an appointment with ChoicePoint by calling us at 844.445.2565. We help our clients recover from substance abuse and mental health illness.

We provide the following levels of care:

For mental health improvement, our therapists provide the following solution-based behavioral therapies:

For any further queries, please call us at 844.445.2565. Our staff will be happy to assist you.

Medical Disclaimer:

ChoicePoint aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use disorder and mental health issues. Our team of licensed medical professionals research, edit and review the content before publishing. However, this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For medical advice please consult your physicians or ChoicePoint's qualified staff.

About Author

Jessica Plonchak

(LCSW, MBA, LCADC)

Executive Clinical Director

Jessica Plonchak serves as Executive Clinical Director at ChoicePoint. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Social Work. She is a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC). With 17 years of relevant experience, she has helped several clients in their journey to recovery from addiction.

Zainab Iqbal

(B.Sc., M.Phil. Biochemistry)

Medical Content Writer

Zainab is a skilled member of the ChoicePoint team of medical content writers. With 4 years of relevant experience, she is passionate about conveying accurate and up-to-date information through her writing. Her area of expertise includes writing on addiction challenges, providing guidance on treatment procedures, and addressing co-occurring mental issues.

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