How to Handle Free Time as Recovering Drug Addict

When I remember my times as a drug addict, it appears that I was bored. I had too much time on my hands as a high school student. Free time can be a dangerous for a drug addict. You may need professional help. However, this article is a good start.

Things You'll Need

• Help from friends, family, and doctors
• <br>A job or hobby to pursue

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Instructions

• 1

  Get a Job<br>This is not a lecture on being lazy or hating to work. But a job can keep you busy more than anything else, and you will be rewarded for it, sometimes more from one job than another. What matters here is you are keeping busy with something positive. Working a job can teach you much about the world. Soon you might forget the drama of addiction altogether.

• 2

  Pursue a Hobby<br>Some of us cannot work a job, especially right after defeating a bad drug addiction. So a hobby can take up your time, a hobby with no pressure involved. You can collect books or comics while you go to discount stores. Maybe you can sell specialty items on eBay and turn a profit. Whatever it is, let yourself have fun doing it. This will be filling your free time; this is important.

• 3

  Exercise the Mind<br>Read a book to get out of your own head and into someone else’s. This is somewhat like a hobby, but one that can fill your free time rather easily. There are other ways to exercise your mind, like watching films or writing in a journal. If you want to fill time, reading a book is one of the best routes to go.

• 4

  Exercise the Body<br>Exercise the mind is one thing, but releasing stress and pain by exercising can do far more. If you can afford one, get a gym membership; it’s worth every penny. A good gym will allow you to be more than healthy—you can be more social and see people going through their normal routines, as you want to do.<br>If you can’t afford a gym membership, don’t worry, because a brisk walk or jog coupled with some push ups can do just about the same. You could invest in some free weights too, just to build yourself up. Again, this is taking up your time.

• 5

  Pray for Help<br>The last step could be a tough one. Prayer is tough for the drug addict who has always felt alone. You could pray if you want, as a means of filling time and building hope. Whatever your faith, prayer allows you to remember how lucky you are to still be alive. It also gets you out of your own head, focusing on what a higher force has done in your life.