Alcoholics Anonymous even offers a directory of online meeting you can participate in while you travel. If traveling with others, make it very clear that your recovery is a priority. Maintaining your sobriety is paramount to your well-being and the success of the trip overall. Let others know if you are uncomfortable or feeling triggered. A vacation is supposed to be a blissful time of rest and relaxation away from everyday stressors. But for a person in recovery, the thought of taking a vacation can induce anxiety.
- Prepare for sleep by packing earplugs, natural sleep aids, chamomile tea, a sleep mask, and a light blanket in your carry-on bag.
- As you plan your vacation, think about which activities sound the most exciting to you.
- Also, if you know certain places might trigger you, avoid them.
- Many destinations have their specialty drinks that are refreshing, flavorful, and healthy.
- Being in recovery means re-learning how to do many “normal” things without drugs or alcohol to create a false sense of comfort.
Whatever boundaries you establish to protect your recovery, lay them out clearly. If your recovery plan includes medication, don’t just assume that you will be able to travel with your prescription. Research the regulations around your medications not only at your destination but also at any places you will have stops or layovers. Bring enough doses for your trip, plus a buffer in case you’re delayed. Bring a written copy of your prescription in case you need to show proof that your meds belong to you. These considerations are especially crucial if you take a controlled substance like buprenorphine.
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In addition to knowing about the physical location, make a list of things you need to have with you to resist triggers. Do you need your journal to write daily affirmations or a certain kind of tea to get your morning started? Take a few moments to think about the healthy coping habits you’ve developed in recovery. Before you start looking at brochures or making plane reservations, have an honest conversation with yourself and your traveling companions about your triggers and concerns about traveling while sober.
We have stayed up into the wee hours of the morning playing cards, listened to live music, made friends with strangers, and danced on tabletops together. It might surprise you to know these are all things I’ve done while sober. While vacationing sober is a wonderful milestone in any sobriety journey, it doesn’t have to (and perhaps shouldn’t) happen on day one. It’s important to ask yourself if you feel ready to go on a sober vacation before committing to any travel.
Choose Recovery Over Addiction
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. It’s more than possible to enjoy a vacation while avoiding
triggers and maintaining your sobriety, and Recovery Centers of America is here to
help! Read on to learn some healthy tips to keep you and your recovery on
track during your next summer vacation.
- If
you are someone who finds peace through nature, scope out some outdoor
active activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, and rock climbing. - In addition to knowing about the physical location, make a list of things you need to have with you to resist triggers.
- Remember that you are not alone and that there are people and resources that can help you overcome any obstacles that might come your way.
- If your friends or family will be using drugs, you could be firm that your own hotel room will be drug-free.
- Travelling, much like successful relationships, requires clear and healthy communication.
But sometimes life in recovery brings about unexpected challenges, especially without the right tools. Things you once enjoyed while under the influence, like traveling, may feel stranger now to navigate without them. If you need to have a minibar removed from your room or ask your companions not to drink or use substances while you’re together, don’t be afraid to do those things. People who love you and want the best for you will be happy to provide whatever support you need to stay on track with your recovery. If possible, make travel plans that don’t include high-trigger places or events. Cruises, popular spring break locations, and all-inclusive resorts place a big emphasis on drinking culture.
Check into any regulations about traveling with your meds ahead of time.
Here at Riverside Recovery of Tampa, recovery is personal for us. Seventy-five percent of our staff has gone through the recovery process and have experienced firsthand what it feels like to walk this path. Finally, if you are traveling with any other type of disorder keep this in mind too. Bringing those extra items that you may need, like vacationing in recovery medication if you suffer from migraines, is worth the cost of checking a second bag at the airport. In order to mitigate some of these anxieties, prepare yourself by having a “toolbox” at hand. A toolbox can help you be prepared for potential adversity and triggers while also giving you the clearest view of what is to come on your trip.
Erin is proud to be a person in long-term recovery, having over 11-years of continuous sobriety, and finds a deep and meaningful purpose working in the field of addiction recovery. Erin is a graduate of the University of Louisville (BA in Communications) and resides in Shelbyville, KY with her husband, Patrick, and three children, Christopher, Ruby, and Stella. You can also think about the location and set-up of your destination. If you are thinking of taking a sober vacation, some advance preparation and research can make the most of your time away. Vacations are designed to be full of spare time, and free time is often the worst thing a recovering addict can find themselves with too much of. Left with all this space, an addict can be tempted to turn to the vices that have always called to them.
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Capt. Billy Pettigrew (RedfishTails.com) says live shrimp have been working their magic in recent days. However, in 12-step programs, the term has been used in a different way. There, it is traditional for people to refer to themselves as “in recovery” no matter how long they have been abstinent from their addictive behavior and no matter how well they are doing in life.
