Addiction Services

Where Do I Go For Help

Healthy Leisure

Leisure activities are essential to our emotional and physical wellness. They can help us manage stress, prevent boredom, keep us mentally sharp and physically able. They can teach us coping skills and increase self-confidence.

They can also help by replacing unhealthy leisure activities such as alcohol, tobacco, other drug use, or gambling. Cutting down or stopping an activity — even though it is harmful — can leave you feeling lost for something to do. You may also find that your social circle included others who remain harmfully involved, and continuing to be around them puts you at risk.

As part of your treatment, your Addiction Services counselor may recommend healthy leisure (or recreation) therapy to reconnect with positive activities in your life. This can be as simple as going bowling, taking an art class, learning to skate, going hiking or getting involved with volunteering in your community. You may attend healthy leisure therapy as part of a group or with a leisure therapist. But you can also start adding healthy leisure activities to your life right now. Check out the bulletin boards at your local library or grocery store, get a copy of your local municipal recreation calendar, or take a look at our Healthy Leisure Brochure.