adult colouring books ended an addiction

[niyad]

we all know that adult colouring books are becoming more and more popular. as I understand it, they help relax people, put them in better frames of mind (have not yet done one myself.

anyway, as I was looking at the colouring books (the cats with hats one caught my eye) at my supermarket today, a woman stopped beside me, and said that the colouring books had saved her life. she has apparently been an alcoholic for several decades, gone through various programs, nothing helped. she told me that, in march, she picked up one of the books on a whim, and has been hooked on the books, and not drinking, ever since. she did point out that she spends a fortune on the books, but, no longer on alcohol. she smiled and walked on.

just wanted to share this.

[rug]

1. I can see how it could do it.

Thanks for sharing it.

[niyad]

2. you are most welcome.

[kimbutgar]

3. I brought one for xmas for my sister in law who has been depressed her husband and two sons

Voted for orange hitler. She works as a flight attendant for a major carrier and she told me her refuge now is going on overseas flights to foreign countries. She didn't talk to her husband fir almost two weeks after the election. Her husband has been gloating to her about orange hitlers win!

I brought a sleep one for myself to try.

[niyad]

4. maybe she ought to shove the book down his throat.

[mercuryblues]

12. I think

she should shove an orange colored pencil in his ear. Since he's adverse to using his brain, no damage done.

[niyad]

14. that is a most excellent idea.

[Horse with no Name]

5. Interesting

Someone very close to me is an addict.
I know what I am getting them for Christmas.
Thank you.

[niyad]

6. let us know if it does help. I will be very interested.

[Horse with no Name]

7. this person has been in intensive inpatient treatment for the last 10 months

they have just got out.
I will definitely let you know.

[rzemanfl]

8. I'm an alcoholic and have been sober 31 years. An addict might just get high and color.

It's hard to stay between the lines drunk. Just my two cents.

[JDC]

28. Yeah, I'm all for whatever works

But I'm thinking a big book might be a better idea than a coloring book.

*I hear the 32nd year is the hardest.

[rzemanfl]

29. 2016-2017. This election. Worst since the first. n/t

[Warren DeMontague]

33. Maybe coloring books are preferable to her since they don't demand a religious conversion experience

Last edited Fri Dec 16, 2016, 09:24 AM - Edit history (1)

Of course, only one special way has a "proven success rate"--- that is actually not any better, statistically, than a whole lot of other approaches.

https://www.orange-papers.org/orange-effectiveness.html

Whatever works is right. I would never presume to tell someone having success with a big book, or a coloring book that they were "doing it wrong".

Different things actually DO work better for different people, believe it or not.

[JDC]

36. Like I said

[Warren DeMontague]

37. Of course.

Im sure we both agree it's presumptuous to make assumptions about what other people should be doing or what "might be better" for them, since they're not us and one size does not fit all.

[JDC]

38. Save it

The link you sent me was divisive at best. Unless you yourself are in recovery and have something personal you can share on the subject I'll chalk up the scolding you desguise as Kumbaya to another very weak example of Internet insight.

[Warren DeMontague]

40. Oh, I'm qualified to have an opinion, thanks.

And I'm not scolding anyone. I know for a fact that different paths work for different people. But I've come across more than my share of 12 steppers who are firmly convinced that "only one way works". People can live successfully alcohol-free years for decades, but if they aren't working steps, going to meetings, and most importantly -ahem- believing, they're not "really sober", right?

Look, the only "scolding disguised as kumbaya" was you snarking about how "I think a big book would work better for her"- why? You have ZERO basis to make that sort of blanket assessment of someone else's life, all you have to go on is the story in the OP, and according to the OP, the coloring books are working. So what "shop-worn wisdom" tells you that you know better than this stranger you've never met what she should be doing in her own recovery?

I would never dream of telling someone they shouldn't go to AA meetings if that's what works for them or keeps them sober. But it's not the only thing that works, and for a lot of people, it's actually detrimental and OTHER things- rational recovery, SMART, fuck, coloring books- work better.

[JDC]

41. I wonder if typing 800 words at the alter of self-righteousness works

so I'm clear, opinions are ok? I'm confused. I'm also done. Type away buddy.

[Warren DeMontague]

42. The difference is between "this works for me" and "this is what everyone needs to do"

Why sombunall* 12 steppers are so profoundly threatened by other people staying successfully sober, even "happy, joyous and free" while also not believing in higher powers, working steps or sitting in rooms saying the lords' prayer, is beyond me.

However, those people do exist.



* = some, but not all

[JDC]

43. I know the type of which you speak

Point taken.

[Warren DeMontague]

44. Fair enough. Peace.

[Turn CO Blue]

9. coloring helps achieve deep alpha wave state, like a master of meditation, but w/o yrs of practice

So, the brain is getting true rest and repair during that state.

So it's more than simply relaxing for the body, it's rejuvenation for the brain.

I doodle in the style of mehndi or French Toile designs and then color them (similar activity and I hope similar results)

[niyad]

17. that makes a lot of sense. never could meditate.

[awoke_in_2003]

20. Try this

My wife does two things to relax- knits and colors. With a 3 year old grandchild in the house, the knitting can sometimes be a challenge.

[niyad]

21. this is the first meditation tape I have actually liked!! shared with several friends, as well.

[awoke_in_2003]

23. I stumbled onto it today...

I thought I would share my new found peace

[niyad]

24. and we are so grateful to you for sharing!!!

[awoke_in_2003]

25. No problem...

here is the pharmaceutical option

[niyad]

27. works for me.

[JI7]

10. i wonder if it's similar to knitting/crochet

[Nay]

15. It is. I like to color AND I like knitting and crochet, and they all work similarly as far

as how they relax me.

[niyad]

19. it would appear so.

[SamKnause]

11. I am 63.

I have always liked to color.

I have colored with my mother, my son, my nieces, my nephews, my great nieces,

my great nephews.

[Nonhlanhla]

13. I think there is something to it

I think we often tend to ignore the playful, creative and meditative aspects of life as we get older. We leave the playing for kids, the creative for artists, and the meditative for mystics, and we get on with our grinding work schedules, reality TV, and the humdrum of our daily lives. No wonder we develop addictions. (And yes, I know there is more to addiction than that).

Having some kind of creative outlet does wonders for the psyche. I myself started quilting and sewing after a personal trauma some years ago, and it's been a life saver for me, because it allows for a creative outlet. When I sit in front of my machine, I feel at rest, meditative. I do not sew anything useful, because this is play, and not work.

So I can totally see how something like adult coloring books can help a person with their addiction, since it lets them play and be creative, and allows their minds to be restored.

[niyad]

18. a most excellent observation. I am reminded of a saying, "we do not stop playing because

we get old. we get old because we stop playing"

[otohara]

16. Love My Coloring Books

just as much as I did when I was a kid.

[Liberal_in_LA]

26. I bought one... couldn't get into it... I think because I was using colored pens

[niyad]

22. . . .

[MFM008]

30. i do it

it helps with anxiety disorder.
Keeps you focused.

[Raine]

31. Nice thread, very helpful ... THANKS for starting it!

[tblue37]

32. They function as a form of meditation, like the sand paintings dine by Buddhist monks.

Another activity that functions as meditation is drawing zentangles:

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=zentangle&FORM=HDRSC2

[Warren DeMontague]

34. Art and creativity can heal.

I firmly believe that.

[avebury]

35. Jigsaw puzzles are relaxing for me.

I operate on automatic pilot when I do a jigsaw puzzle. I don't think as much as I do.

[madokie]

39. Back when our grand daughter was into coloring books

I was known to engage in that behavior some too. And yes it was rather relaxing

Every thing I do today is with her future in mind. As it should be