At almost 5 years sober, my vacations look very different now. During your trip, you’ll likely encounter many situations where alcohol and other drugs are used freely. Planning ahead will help you craft ways to avoid places and situations where you have to battle with yourself to remain sober.
How to Enjoy Travel in Recovery
They can provide encouragement, check-in on your progress, and help you navigate any challenges that may arise along the way. Stay committed to your sobriety activities, set boundaries with travel companions, and prioritize your well-being throughout your journey. These strategies can greatly assist in maintaining sobriety during your vacation, enabling you to thoroughly enjoy the travel experience while staying committed to your sobriety goals.
Packing a Travel Survival Kit
Maybe you want to carve out time to listen to a sober podcast while walking the beach, read a ‘Quit Lit’ book while poolside, or check out sober social media groups. Whatever works for you, don’t be afraid to integrate your at-home support network into your vacation lifestyle. One key vacationing in recovery to setting yourself up for success is to intentionally avoid triggers. I only go to happy hour if there’s an alcohol-free option for me. Instead of spending my entire vacation day drinking, I now like to stay active. Instead of sitting at the swim up bar, I play volleyball in the pool.
Staying Connected to the Recovery Community While Traveling
- Whether it’s a difficult moment or a celebratory milestone, they are there to provide encouragement, understanding, and empathy.
- In conclusion, planning a sober vacation requires a proactive approach, from researching the destination to preparing oneself mentally and emotionally.
- Travel constipation happens when you don’t keep to your regular schedule.
- Remember, reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness but a strength, demonstrating your commitment to your sobriety.
- If you’re sober or in recovery, you’ll need to take precautions to ensure a successful and enjoyable vacation.
- These vacations might involve hiking, surfing, rock-climbing, or exploring wildlife – activities that elicit natural highs and demonstrate that fun can be had without substances 8.
Pay attention to what comes up for you when you think about traveling. If it’s fear and dread, that might be telling you it’s too soon. If it’s nerves, anxiety and nausea, that sounds like it’s not the right time.
- Reflecting on and prioritizing sobriety is essential to staying on the right track while on vacation.
- Even airports can be enticing, with terminal bars promoting it, airlines offering it, and the stress many feel from flying.
- However, for those in recovery, a vacation can mean a stressful situation that can lead to relapse if not properly prepared.
- By adding trusted individuals to your contacts list, you have someone to reach out to for support when facing temptations or challenging situations.
- They can arrange activities that don’t involve drinking and run interference with other people who might ask about your recovery.
Traveling often exposes you to various triggers and can confront you with temptation. Club Soda offers a free course called “How to Change Your Drinking” and provides access to an exclusive Facebook group where members can find additional support. By shifting the perspective, individuals can embrace the idea that a fulfilling vacation is not solely dependent on substances. It’s about discovering new places, immersing oneself in different cultures, and creating memorable experiences.
Taking advantage of these tools can enhance communication and maintain a sense of closeness, especially if you’re away from home for an extended period of time. Most people look forward to taking time off their busy life and work schedules to kick back and relax at an exciting destination. Vacations let you explore new places, indulge in your favorite hobbies and get some much-needed pampering. However, many people view vacations as an opportunity to be intoxicated around the clock. It’s common for hotels and restaurants in most destinations to serve alcohol at every meal.
I like to wake up early and spend some time alone drinking coffee, journaling, and doing some yoga stretches or meditation. One final point I want to make about planning your sober vacation. A sober vacation doesn’t have to sound fun to anyone but you. Maybe it’s simply laying in a hammock or completing a puzzle on a screened in porch. Staying in your pj’s until noon, playing Scrabble, or walking the dog through a lovely park.
Travel tummy: Diarrhea
Creating a checklist of things to do while on the trip can help fight boredom that can lead to temptation. Typically, people experience loose, watery stools with cramping and urgency. You and your co-vacationers need to stay within a routine while you’re on vacation.
