In active addiction, our brains are so used to getting massive amounts of dopamine that it reduces dopamine receptors. This neurotransmitter is involved in anticipating rewards and motivating you to seek them out, which means it plays a large role in addiction.
In sobriety, we now have a brain with dopamine imbalances accustomed to receiving massive amounts of this neurotransmitter. Many people in recovery seek out new ways to find reward and motivation.
What are Healthy Ways to Replace Drug and Alcohol Use?
Exercise is not a “cure” for addiction or mental health disorders, but it’s a common replacement behavior for sober people.
According to The Greater Good Science Center at the University of Berkeley, California, “When you exercise, you provide a low-dose jolt to the brain’s reward centers—the system of the brain that helps you anticipate pleasure, feel motivated, and maintain hope. Over time, regular exercise remodels the reward system, leading to higher circulating levels of dopamine and more available dopamine receptors.”[1]
Any way of moving your body—whether that’s dancing, boxing, karate, or whatever else feels good to you—is a great way to replace substance use. You’ll be more motivated to do it if it’s something that works for you and your body. It’s useful to view figuring out what you like as another way to replace addiction; it’s a new way to focus your energy.
Many people in recovery find it helpful to engage in new hobbies. A big part of recovery is learning who you are without substances, and hobbies can help you learn what you like and dislike. On a practical level, activities you find engrossing distract you from cravings.
Can Sober People Transfer Their Addictions?
When you hear “replacement behaviors,” you might think of people transferring addictive behaviors in destructive ways. You might think of the myth that MOUD/MAUD—which is the use of medications like Suboxone and Vivitrol to help minimize withdrawal symptoms and curb cravings—is replacing one addiction with another.
There is no evidence for this In fact, a study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found that using Vivitrol significantly reduces a person’s chance of relapsing.[2]
However, it is not unusual for people to replace substance use with another addictive behavior. For instance, sometimes it’s hard to gauge the balance between working out as a healthy replacement for substance use or exercising addictively. It can take time in recovery to find a healthy balance.
How Can You Find Balance in Recovery?
Therapy can keep you aware of your behavior patterns so they’re less likely to spiral into addictive behaviors without noticing. Regular meditation can slow you down and bring awareness to your thoughts and actions.
As long as it’s not destructive and brings positivity into your life, replacing substance use with engaging activities can be so helpful. Recovery allows you to find new ways to feel rewarded and motivated.
If you are struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder, there is hope. TruHealing Centers offers high-quality treatment for addiction and mental health disorders in facilities across the country. Our staff—many of whom are in recovery themselves—will help you feel engaged and connected without drugs or alcohol. Call an admissions specialist at 410-593-0005.
[1] https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/five_surprising_ways_exercise_changes_your_brain
[2] https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/programs_campaigns/medication_assisted/efficacy-naltrexone-treatment-alcohol-dependence.pdf
