When you or a loved one is in recovery from substance use disorder, finding things to do that don’t require going out to a bar and drinking with friends seem to be a lot harder to come up with. If that’s the life that you were once used to, it might be hard to find new things to share participating in with your partner.
Luckily, we here at Soba Recovery have thought of this so you don’t have to. Read on to learn about five great sober activities that you can do with your partner.
Visit a Museum or Art Exhibit
There are so many different kinds of museums and exhibits that you can visit with your partner. Find something that you both find interesting, like history or contemporary art, and search where you can spend a day perusing around a collection dedicated to that thing!
Visiting an art exhibit is a great sober activity to do with your partner because there is so much to look at and talk about. Art is meant to be expressive and sometimes surrounding yourself with art can lead to an exploration of your own creativity.
Sometimes, exhibits and museums have gift shops attached to them that you can get lost in for a while. This can be an additional fun activity to do with your spouse—challenge them to find the oddest item in the gift shop and make a game of it!
Enjoy the Outdoors
There are so many different activities that you can do with your partner outdoors. There is nothing better or more healing than fresh air, sun on your face, and nature. Depending on your level of comfortability with the natural elements, you can choose from a range of fun activities that involve getting outside.
Take a Hike!
If you want to see trees and hear little critters scurrying around in the brush, taking some time out of your day to go for a hike is a perfect date idea. Being encompassed by nature is peaceful and healing, and allows for reflection and good conversation. If you’d like to spend time outside but at a more leisurely pace, there are often walking trails that avoid rough terrain so that people of all skill levels can enjoy the outdoors.
Go for a Peaceful Bike Ride
If you are a couple that likes something a little more fast-paced, taking your bikes out for a spin can be relaxing and romantic. Plan out a destination and bring along some food, water, and sparkling juice to have yourselves a lovely picnic!
Biking is a great sober activity because it’s good for your health! Your body can avoid cravings as it focuses your attention to your body and it’s movement, and away from thinking about using substances.
Plan a Camping Trip
If you’re a couple that really enjoys the outdoors, it’s probably time for you to plan a camping trip. Camping is often cheaper than planning a full vacation, and you get to immerse yourself into nature. Having a nice getaway weekend up to your favorite campsite can help you to spend more one-on-one time with your partner without any distractions.
Not only is the act of camping fun, but the planning of the trip can be fun too! Spend time with your partner planning out hiking trails to try out and secret swimming holes the two of you can venture off to.
Plan a Vacation
If you’re a couple that would rather enjoy electricity and your own toilet, planning out a vacation may be more up your alley. There are tons of great destinations you can visit where you don’t have to stress about finding sober activities that you can participate in.
There are a ton of steps that go into planning a vacation, so looking up nearby attractions you want to visit and find great food spots that you want to try out. Make this trip a really great memory that the two of you can share.
Spending time together on vacation means that you are creating new memories with your partner that you can positively reflect back on. It’s important to build new memories, and exploring new places is one of the best ways to do that. There are so many things you can do while on a vacation. Go relax by the pool, treat yourself with a trip to the spa, or be a tourist for the day!
Make Each Other’s Favorite Meal
You don’t have to go out to have fun together. There is one thing that often people can come together for—and that’s food. Everyone has a favorite meal. Whether it be breakfast for dinner or their mother’s homemade spaghetti, most people are always down to enjoy their favorite dish with the person they love! Instead of going out to spaces where there will be substances, you can find comfort in spending time away from everyone, focused on your partner.
Cooking with your partner is a great way to learn more about them. Certain foods hold sentimental values, and it’s easier to bond when sharing memories, while creating new ones. Once you’ve cooked all of your favorites, don’t be afraid to start branching out to try new recipes!
Learn a New Skill Together
Is there something that you and your partner have been thinking about trying out together? Now is the time to try it out! If you want to try to be more artistic with your partner, go out, pick up some paint and brushes from your local craft store and spend an evening indoors creating! Sometimes, even just setting aside some time together where you work on separate crafts can be really rewarding and fun to do.
Maybe you aren’t a chef, but you want to learn. Learning how to cook or bake, using unique ingredients, and challenging your abilities can be great for bonding, and is overall really fun. You can keep track of the new dishes that you’ve made together, rating them based on how easy it was to prepare, how good it looked before eating, and how it tasted!
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to go out and drink to have fun. You don’t need to be under the influence to enjoy the time you spend with your partner. There are plenty of activities to do that are fun, healing, and personalized. There is also something for everyone.
If you enjoy the outdoors and outdoor activities, spend more time finding the perfect fit for you and your partner. If you like staying in, there are plenty of recipes to try and art to make. Find what makes you happiest and what helps you to focus on your sobriety.
Sobering Up at Soba Recovery
If you’ve decided that it’s time to go sober, we can help at Soba Recovery. We offer drug and alcohol addiction recovery treatment in both Mesa, AZ, and San Antonio, TX. Visit our website for more information or give us a call to learn more about our addiction treatment programs!
Sources:
Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders | SAMHSA
Best trails in United States of America | All Trails
10 Ways to Enjoy the Outdoors Without Going Far | Outward Bound