For example, you can call different hotels before booking to see if they have accommodations for people who don’t drink alcohol, such as alcohol-free drinks in the minibar. You can also ask the reception desk to suggest activities and spots you can tour without coming into contact with alcohol and other drugs. 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. If you often fall victim to peer pressure, pick travel companions who can keep you accountable.
Managing Anxiety and Depression in Recovery
- Studies show that craving for alcohol peaks at 60 days of abstinence.
- Vacation will already be one giant temptation – if all the people around you are partying, drinking, or doing drugs, your strength will be tested.
- Spending time outdoors, in nature, is great for boosting mental health, learning new skills, and staying healthy.
- Recovery from addiction is not only possible, it is the rule, rather than the exception.
- Regardless of the stage of recovery you’re in, certain situations can present some challenges – such as planning a vacation.
Plan to avoid those triggers if you can, and if you can’t, you’ll need to make a plan for how to deal with them. To start with, consider the locations where you want to go on vacation. If you have a history of alcoholism, it’s probably not the best idea to go on a wine-tasting tour.
Individualized Treatment Plans
Alcohol addiction often starts subtly, influenced by genetics, environment, and mental health. This article explains how alcohol addiction starts and how these factors contribute to the development of addiction while highlighting early warning signs. Contact us today to learn more about our programs and how to enroll in our vacationing in recovery recovery center. Set aside money and buy yourself a gift when you come back home without using alcohol or drugs. Restating your commitment to sobriety before and during your trip reminds you of the reason why you started the recovery process in the first place and helps you do everything not to jeopardize your journey.
What People Are Saying
- By planning a vacation that is less likely to have triggers, you can avoid them.
- Research happy hours, open bars and clubs in your destination so you know the areas to avoid during your trip.
- Use apps or social media to keep in touch with your support network.
- The majority of guests are members of a 12 step program, but it is not a requirement.
Planning your first trip after you’ve achieved sobriety can be overwhelming, but enjoying a vacation during recovery is possible. The most important thing you can do before heading out on vacation is to make a plan. Plan every step of your journey, including how you’ll get from one place to another and how you will spend your time in each location. It’s normal to struggle with certain situations while you’re recovering.
Welcome to Sober Vacations International
Once you’ve reviewed the most likely triggering scenarios, it’s time to decide how you will react to them. You can learn from other people’s experiences by following the tips they used to stay sober on their travels. When a person first enters rehab, they are given a thorough assessment of their background, history of alcohol and drug use, and other specific needs. During this stage, it helps to be honest, especially if there is an underlying mental illness or other condition.
More Tips for Planning Your First Sober Vacation
Treatment and education can help adults learn techniques for handling urges and ways of accepting and managing negative emotions. Treatment and information aimed at adolescents can help them learn techniques for managing both positive and negative emotional states. There are some friends who are better left behind—those who are https://ecosoberhouse.com/ linked to the addictive experience. People in the throes of addiction are not capable of the best form of friendship. Further, those friends can serve as a cue that sets off drug craving and challenges the recovery process. Because recovery involves growth, families need to learn and practice new patterns of interaction.
UPCOMING DESTINATIONS
- You may be unable to work, provide for your family, or study properly.
- It’s important to ensure that your plans are in line with your recovery and that your vacation time does not interfere with your sobriety.
- We’ve been in operation as a sober travel agency since 1987.
- Before you leave for your trip, be sure to do your research.
Another good way to do so is to stay with people who don’t want to participate in activities that could trigger you. When you look at your vacation plans, start by writing down the locations you want to go to and then identify them as low, moderate, or high-risk. High-risk areas are the ones most likely to trigger you into abusing drugs or alcohol, whereas low-risk vacations would have the least chance of exposing you to triggers. Healthy routines are a critical part of successful recovery from addiction. They keep your time occupied and prevent you from being distracted from your healthy lifestyle.