Have you been wondering how to take a vacation and stay sober? Have you been stressing about your upcoming trip and if you’ll be able to make it without a drink? Maybe you worry that if you go out with friends, at first, they won’t notice but will soon realize you haven’t been drinking and possibly start to judge you. Maybe you’re part of the fortunate few who have never had a single alcoholic beverage or used any other substances on those precious days off. It’s possible to take a healthy vacation and remain sober. When traveling, it is important to take these precautions to enjoy your trip without worrying about how it will impact your sobriety.
Consider the Purpose of Your Trip
First, you need to consider the purpose of your trip. As I mentioned above, if you’re planning a vacation for fun, it’s essential to recognize that you can’t have fun when you’re drunk or high. If you are traveling for business, it’s important to remember that there are things more important than partying. Establishing a clear purpose for your trip will help you stay sober and keep your goals in mind.
Establish a Schedule for Your Vacation
Second, establish a schedule for your vacation so that it is clear when you’ll be able to relax and when you’ll need to begin working on tasks related to your trip. This will help prevent situations where you might be tempted to use alcohol or drugs as an excuse not to get something done while on vacation, even if it’s just relaxing with friends.
Recognize the Difference Between Fears and Risks
You might fear what will happen if you drink or use drugs on vacation. You may think that your family will judge you for drinking. You might be worried about damaging your relationships with friends, family members, or co-workers. Or maybe you are concerned about how you will feel when you come home from a trip and try to return to work. In all cases, these fears are risks that can be managed with planning and support.
Set Goals for Yourself on Your Trip
Set goals for yourself before leaving on your trip. I know this may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s crucial to consider what you want out of your vacation and how much effort you want to put into achieving those goals. You can also set goals while at home before leaving for vacation to ensure that you have activities planned during each day of your trip that will help keep you sober and happy during your time off work.
Set Yourself Up for Success by Stocking Up on Essential Supplies
It’s important to have the right supplies before you leave on vacation. Make sure you have: • Enough medication, • Water bottles • and other supplies If you’re going to be away from home overnight, make sure you pack a backup supply of any critical medications for maintaining your sobriety. If you don’t have access to a refrigerator or other way to store your medications during travel, bring extra pill bottles so they won’t get crushed or damaged in transit.
Beware of Triggers That May Arise on Your Vacation
It’s important to be prepared for potential triggers while on vacation. If you know that a particular place or setting will be difficult for you, then make sure your plans don’t involve going there. If certain people are difficult for you to be around, don’t expect them to be at the party where all your friends will be hanging out. If there’s one thing that sobriety teaches us, it’s that we can’t control other people’s behavior, so plan accordingly. If you know that any stress or anxiety will trigger your desire to drink or use drugs, try to avoid it as much as possible during your vacation time. You don’t have to go overboard and avoid everything just because it might make you anxious; instead, try your best not to put yourself in situations where things could get stressful or cause any emotional reaction from you.
Schedule Regular Check-Ins With Your Sponsor
If you have a sponsor who lives nearby, ask them if they would be willing to check in with you regularly while you’re away from home. You could even set up a phone call every other day, so they know what’s going on with your sobriety and vice versa. This might sound like overkill, but it can make all the difference in keeping your mind off drinking or using drugs while away from home. As you consider your vacation and how you’ll stay sober, don’t consider it an impossible challenge. Instead, think of it as a journey. Every step of the way, there’s a chance for new learning, growth, and new experiences. Whether you choose to take this trip completely sober or not, we’re confident that in the end, you’ll learn more about yourself if you need assistance. Our counselors are available 24 hours a day. Call 844-844-3463 today.