Recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) can be an exciting time for teens to discover who they are and want to be. In early recovery, many teens find that they have more free time and energy to invest in activities they enjoy. This can be an excellent opportunity to explore new hobbies, make new friends, and develop a healthy sense of self.
Recovery is also a time to learn how to cope with difficult emotions and situations without resorting to substance use. For some teens, this may mean learning how to deal with anxiety, depression, or trauma. Others may need to learn how to manage stressors such as family conflict or academic pressure. Ultimately, recovery is a process of trial and error, but it’s also an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. With patience and support, teens can emerge from recovery with a stronger sense of self and a brighter future.
Finding Their Passions
Addiction can be all-consuming, leaving little room for anything else in a person’s life. However, once in recovery, finding new interests and passions is essential to fill the void left by compulsive use. For teens, discovering new passions can play a critical role in their continued sobriety. It can help give them a sense of purpose, distract them from urges and triggers, and provide a healthy outlet for emotions.
Finding things they are passionate about can help to boost their self-esteem and confidence. It can also provide a sense of accomplishment and pride, which are essential for anyone in recovery. Unfortunately, it may be difficult for teens who have been using to identify what those are as their lives have recently revolved around substances and substance-using people.
Hobbies Keep Teens Sober
There are many ways that teens can find out what they are passionate about. One way is to explore different hobbies and activities. Trying new things can help teens to identify their interests and passions. In addition, hobbies can keep teens sober, according to research. Studies have found that hobbies are associated with lower alcohol and drug use rates among adolescents.
Hobbies can provide a sense of purpose, belonging, and a way to cope with stress and anxiety. In addition, these activities can help promote positive social interactions and reduce the likelihood of developing problematic behaviors. They can also be a source of positive distraction from thoughts about drinking or using drugs.
Here are a few suggestions on how to find new hobbies:
- Online hobbies: Online hobby groups or forums where people with similar interests gather to discuss their craft or share tips. For example, if your teen is interested in photography, they could join an online group dedicated to amateur photographers and learn from others.
- Classes: Take a class at a local community center or adolescent education program. This is a great way to try a new hobby without making a significant commitment.
- Experimentation: Experiment on their own, trying new things until they find something they enjoy.
Another way to discover what one is passionate about is to talk to family and friends. Family members who know teens well can often give them insights into their strengths and passions. In addition, many online personality quizzes and assessments can provide teens with a better understanding of themselves. By exploring their interests, teens can discover their passions and begin to pursue them.
Learning Is Exercise for the Mind
It’s no secret that learning new things can benefit your brain. But did you know that the cognitive benefits of learning something new can last a lifetime? In addition, a growing body of research suggests that the more you challenge your brain, the better it will function as you age.
Studies have found that people who engaged in mentally stimulating activities like reading, writing, and playing games were less likely to develop dementia than those who didn’t. In addition, lifelong learners have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. This is because learning helps build up what’s known as a cognitive reserve – a buffer against the effects of aging on the brain. It also helps keep the brain active and growing, warding off cognitive decline.
Recovery is an excellent time to learn something new. As teens detox, their minds become more apparent, and they can retain more information. It’s empowering to make healthy decisions and choices, and engaging in a new activity can be one of the choices that keep them sober.
Get Quiet
As teenagers begin navigating the world around them, it can be easy to get caught up in the noise and forget the importance of getting quiet. Whether it’s spending time in nature, journaling, or meditating, getting quiet is a necessary part of getting to know oneself.
Amid all the chaos, getting quiet allows teens to connect with their thoughts and feelings and figure out what they believe in. It’s a chance to slow down and pay attention to the most important things. When teens take the time to sit in silence, they often find that they have a better sense of who they are and what they want in life. Silent reflection can be an essential step on the path to self-discovery.
Recovery from substance use disorder is an exciting time for teens to discover who they are and who they want to be. In treatment, teens learn about the effects of substances on their bodies and minds, and they develop healthy coping skills to deal with triggers and cravings. Recovery is a process, and it requires hard work, but it is also an opportunity for teens to develop a healthy sense of self. This is a time when teens can explore new interests, try new activities, and make friends who support their sobriety. Helping teens find out what they love to do can help them build healthy habits that will fill the gap that using substances left. When engaged in passionate pursuits, they are not thinking about using. For more information on how to help teens discover who they are, call Clearfork Academy today at (817) 259-2597.
Originally from the Saginaw, Eagle Mountain area, Austin Davis earned a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Ministry from Lee University in Cleveland, TN and a Master of Arts in Counseling from The Church of God Theological Seminary. He then went on to become a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in the State of Texas.
Austin’s professional history includes both local church ministry and clinical counseling. At a young age, he began serving youth at the local church in various capacities which led to clinical training and education. Austin gained a vast knowledge of mental health disorders while working in state and public mental health hospitals. This is where he was exposed to almost every type of diagnosis and carries this experience into the daily treatment.
Austin’s longtime passion is Clearfork Academy, a christ-centered residential facility focused on mental health and substance abuse. He finds joy and fulfillment working with “difficult” clients that challenge his heart and clinical skill set. It is his hope and desire that each resident that passes through Clearfork Academy will be one step closer to their created design.
Austin’s greatest pleasures in life are being a husband to his wife, and a father to his growing children. He serves at his local church by playing guitar, speaking and helping with tech arts. Austin also enjoys being physically active, reading, woodworking, and music.
