If you’re a person in recovery, you know how hard maintaining sobriety is. But staying clean can be especially challenging while traveling or on vacation. Being in foreign places or new situations can really disrupt your normal schedule, support system, and daily regimen, which can potentially trigger a relapse.
Sober Traveler: A Simple Guide to Staying Clean While on Vacation
But staying clean while traveling isn’t impossible if you plan appropriately. In this article, we’re sharing some easy tips and practices to follow while traveling, so you can live your life without fear of relapse.
Plan Ahead
The key to staying sober is minimizing any activities that will disrupt your schedule or daily regimen. Before you travel, look for safe countries and places to travel to.
Once you find a place you feel safe going, look up schedules for any local support group meetings. Attending support group meetings is essential for your sobriety, so you should make sure to attend them while you’re traveling.
Get to Know Some Locals
When traveling you should absolutely get to know people in the area who are in recovery. Knowing locals who are like you will make you feel less alone when you’re traveling. They’ll also be able to recommend meetings, addiction treatment services if need be, and sober activities you can partake in while you’re on vacation.
And if you’re struggling, you can rest easy knowing you have someone nearby you can turn to.
Pay Attention to HALT
As a recovering addict, you know how important it is for you to remember your HALT, and avoid becoming too hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. These feelings can easily trigger a relax, so you should plan accordingly for them.
Pack snacks for day trips so you don’t end up hungry. Try to talk through any feelings of anger or homesickness or loneliness you’re experiencing, and make sure to get plenty of sleep while away. You should also always make time to check in with yourself and your support group to make sure you’re taking care of yourself.
Keep in Touch with People Back Home
While it’s important to make local contacts while you travel, you should also regularly talk to your support network back home. It’s important to maintain close contact with your friends and family, as well as your AA or NA sponsor. So be sure to send texts and emails or call when you can so these people can provide you with the proper support.
Remove Temptation Wherever You Can
If you’re staying in a hotel with minibars in the rooms, ask the hotel staff in advance to clear it before you arrive. This will reduce the chance that you drink impulsively. You should also try to avoid people and environments that can be a relapse trigger.
Try to Maintain Your Routine as Much as Possible
Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you can’t maintain a sense of normalcy. Try to get up at the same times and do any of your normal health and wellness activities that make you feel more centered. Remember, recovery is an active thing, so you can’t take a vacation from it while you’re away.
Final Thoughts on Staying Clean While on Vacation
Going on vacation can be scary as an addict. The last thing you want to do is undo all your hard work. But staying clean is possible if you remain calm and keep these tips in mind.
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