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Traveling while in recovery can be intimidating, especially when going on vacation. While many may see vacation as a time to drink and often to excess, you need to maintain your sobriety for the sake of your mental and physical health. It just means you need to make better choices, approach your vacation more carefully, and choose your vacation friends or family with more care. If you decide to attend events where alcohol or substances are available, make sure you can leave whenever you need to.
Unfortunately, traveling is often a huge trigger for many individuals and may cause them to start abusing substances while on the road. But may influence a person’s desire to fall back into addictive behaviors. Just as troubling, some individuals may suffer from anxiety and depression while traveling or issues with mental health that trigger a relapse. For example, you may find yourself in a situation where you feel out of control. Maybe the hotel you’re staying at has a prominent bar, or some cool people you just met are inviting you out to the club. Having access to sponsorship or your sober friend circle means having access to another — and often clearer — perspective on your situation.
Plan a recovery-friendly vacation
Try to avoid venues that are primarily catering to tourists and party-goers. It’s great to have plans and structure when you’re focused on sobriety during vacation, but it’s also helpful to go with the flow. Having a flexible mindset will help protect you if something doesn’t go according to plan. If you haven’t yet taken the first step in your Recovery from drugs or alcohol, 7 Summit Pathways can help. Our evidence-based programs are individualized to make sure you get the help you need. A well-deserved vacation is a great way to unwind and de-stress from everyday life.
Our culture is flooded with the message that drinking equals fun, and alcohol seems like a natural part of enjoying the warm summer months. Staying sober over the summer requires some planning, dedication, and mindfulness skills. Art classes, guided tours or other sober activities can validate the fact that you don’t need drugs or alcohol to enjoy a vacation. Have fun and treat yourself to something special so you don’t feel like you are missing out by not having a drink.
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For example, you could visit a nearby water park and spend the day swimming, riding down water slides, or just relaxing in a wave pool. You could also sit outside of a neighborhood coffee shop and potentially vacationing in recovery meet some interesting travel friends. The additives in these meals trigger cravings that can be hard to fight and which may mirror an individual’s struggle with substance abuse cravings.
One of my longest friends in sobriety, Scott Russell, invites several different guests on his podcasts to share their raw experiences in recovery and navigating through spiritual growth. If you’re looking for a few laughs and some conviction – check out this https://ecosoberhouse.com/ podcast on your road trip. If you’ve scheduled follow-up appointments with your rehabilitation center or a doctor, stick to these appointments. If you’re trying to have fun while staying sober, you want to choose destinations that have more to do than drink.
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Focus on your long-term goals, including better physical and emotional health and things you want to accomplish. Think of the money you’ll save, how you will remember things clearly, or how you will not have hangovers the next day. Whatever your reasons for recovery, remembering them every day can help you stay committed to it. Enlist an ally, a friend, or a family member who is also staying sober for the trip.
Jeffrey’s desire to help others led him to focus on economic and social development and policy making. After graduation, he decided to pursue his passion of writing and editing. Jeffrey’s mission is to educate and inform the public on addiction issues and help those in need of treatment find the best option for them. Surround yourself with people you trust and go with a sober friend.
Southern California Substance Abuse and Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center
Dedicated to family-friendly fun, most amusement parks have little to no emphasis on alcohol. For example, at most Disney parks, you can only get alcohol at table service restaurants, and some parks even forbid guests from walking around with alcoholic drinks in hand. In addition, many cruise ships hold daily addiction support group meetings called “Friends of Bill W.” This name references one of the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous. You will also find information on spotting the signs and symptoms of substance use and hotlines for immediate assistance.
