Even if you’re in the midst of recovery, going on vacation is a great idea. Vacations give you the chance to unwind, relax, and see more of the world. But while you’re enjoying yourself, it’s also important to know how to make the most of a sober vacation and keep your commitment to your recovery.
If you don’t know where to start, or if you’re worried about slipping up, read on.
The Importance of Maintaining Your Sobriety
If you struggled with alcohol use disorder in the past, you already know just how important it is to stay sober. Indeed, there are lots of health benefits to maintaining your sobriety. When you are sober, you:
- To make better decisions for yourself and your family members regarding physical and mental health
- Don’t damage your body by ingesting or consuming harmful substances
- Enable yourself to enjoy life to its fullest without the use of substances that can cloud or alter your experiences
In the long run, sobriety is important for boosting your quality of life and recovering from addiction fully.1 That doesn’t mean you can’t go on a vacation from time to time.
How to Stay Sober on Vacation and Have Fun
Lots of people struggling with alcohol addiction or those who are currently in recovery programs worry about maintaining their sobriety while out and about. After all, going on vacation shakes up your routine and introduces lots of new opportunities to interact with alcohol.
Fortunately, there are ways to enjoy a sober vacation and still have a great time with your friends and family members.
Know Your Triggers and Have a Plan
Before you go on your sober vacation, know your triggers so you can avoid potentially dangerous situations. For example, if you are triggered to drink by going to a bar, make it clear to all of your fellow vacationers that you won’t be joining them in any bars or pubs where you go.
Make a list of your triggers so you can keep them in mind as you have fun in other ways.
Research Non-Alcoholic Beverages
It may also be a wise idea to research non-alcoholic beverages at your destination well ahead of time. That way, when you are thirsty, you’ll automatically know what you can purchase and what you should avoid at a bar, restaurant, union store, or anywhere else.
Have an Accountability Partner
Depending on who you travel with, you should consider having someone act as your accountability partner. Your accountability partner will make sure you don’t stray from your recovery program or guidelines and will help you keep your vacation sober instead of making a mistake.
Your accountability partner can be your sibling, parent, spouse, or anyone else. Talk to them beforehand, however, so they know the important responsibility you are trusting them with.
Stay Active and Seek Out Experiences
There are lots of fun things to do on vacation aside from drinking. To make some memories and give your body energy and excitement away from substances, seek out experiences and do active things while on vacation. Don’t spend all your time at the hotel!
Go on hikes, visit historical monuments and landmarks, and even take up fun outdoor activities like waterskiing, surfing, and so on. These invigorating, exhilarating experiences can provide your body with a high far and above away from whatever a dangerous substance can do. These experiences might make it easier for you to enjoy your sober vacation by proving you can still have a good time.
Avoid Excess Stress
Lastly, do your best to avoid excessive stress (this ties into the tip above about having a plan). When you are stressed, you are more likely to slip up and drink alcohol or consume other potentially addictive substances.2 Stress lowers self-control, which makes it a dangerous factor for those struggling with alcohol addiction.
To that end, always have a plan for:
- Where you’ll travel
- What you’ll do
- What to do in the event of an emergency
- Who you should contact
- And more
On top of that, try not to put yourself in stressful situations. Don’t wake up a half-hour before you should be on a plane, for example. Don’t join a trip or excursion that you aren’t fully comfortable with. If someone asks you why, be honest with them. It’s more important to maintain your self-control than it is to risk sobriety.
Contact Clear Life Recovery Today
In the end, you should still go on vacation even if you’re concerned about slipping up and breaking your sobriety streak. One mistake isn’t the end of the world, and with the right support from your friends or fellow vacationers, you can enjoy a sober vacation and keep your recovery program on track. For more information, contact Clear Life Recovery today.
Sources:
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3188817/
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3860387/
