When Did Fun Become Suspicious?

When Did Fun Become Suspicious?

How do people cope with the challenges of staying sober? This RAW Recovery Podcast instalment follows Dion as he talks openly about how fun, laughter and play fit into life after alcohol.

The tone is relaxed and a bit rambling at times – he jokes about bad coffee, itchy surgery scars and butt-dials – but beneath the humour sits a clear message: "We didn't get sober to not enjoy life." Dion reflects on how many adults start to treat fun as suspicious, especially in recovery. Because drinking used to be linked with chaos, regret and staying out all night, the brain can start to equate fun with danger.

He points out that "alcohol and fun were never really the same thing" and reminds you that if you don't need alcohol to be angry, you don't need it to be happy either. You’ll hear him talk about rediscovering hobbies that used to be wrapped up in drinking, like his drumming days and gigging at Herman's Hideaway.

He suggests going back to those interests and seeing what still feels good with a clear head, even if it means being “bad at a hobby” for a while. Fun, he argues, doesn't have to be earned like dessert after chores – it’s part of being alive.

The episode also touches on how phones can pull people out of the moment, why laughter in meetings changes the whole room, and how important it is for newcomers to see recovery that includes jokes, games and genuine joy, not just rules and serious faces. Dion leaves you with a simple challenge: instead of asking if you’ve earned the right to have fun, ask yourself when you started believing you needed permission just to enjoy your own life.

So, what small bit of fun are you willing to allow yourself today?