There is a massive appeal to venturing out for local day trips and activities and being able to return home to your bed and bathroom every night. Another popular activity is to take a ‘sober cruise’ where participants enjoy all of the amenities and fun offered by a cruise ship without partaking in alcohol or drug use. Recovering from alcoholism starts with recognizing the challenge and committing to change. This guide will walk you through critical steps, from acknowledging the issue to setting achievable goals, finding professional treatment, and building a supportive network…. 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.
How to Plan a Sober Vacation After Rehab
Sober travel doesn’t mean you have to give up adventure. This article details how to navigate traveling alcohol-free and still embrace the fun, culture, and connection of vacation. The FHE Health team is committed to providing accurate information that adheres to the highest standards of writing. This is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure FHE Health is trusted as a leader in mental health and addiction care. Don’t skip out on an opportunity to connect with other people going through recovery.
- Leveraging these resources can enhance support networks significantly.
- The rush of getting to the airport, long check-in lines, delays and long layovers can strain the nerves of even the most patient people and trigger a relapse.
- It takes a lot of adjustment and fortitude to adjust to regular life after rehab.
- By setting these boundaries, you can create a supportive environment that encourages your sobriety and minimizes potential triggers.
Mental Health and Loneliness
- Taking a vacation is a time to relax, recharge, and experience new places.
- This mindset can shift your focus from what you’re missing to what you have.
- You should never feel ashamed to put your recovery first.
- Addiction recovery is about striking a new balance in life after rehab, taking control of your own actions and letting go of the need to control things outside of yourself.
Consider activities such as a morning jog, leisurely hike, or swim to stay active and focused on your sobriety goals. Staying connected with support systems back home is crucial for individuals seeking to maintain their sobriety while on vacation. Utilizing technology to stay in touch through phone calls, texts, or video chats can provide a sense of continuity and support, even when away from familiar surroundings. Attending virtual support group meetings or researching local recovery resources at the vacation destination can offer additional support and motivation 2. In addition to selecting the right destination, identifying sober-friendly activities is essential for sobriety on vacation.
The Role of Family Support in Successful Recovery Journeys
For example, a treatment center may offer a recovery-oriented social event, such as a sober hiking trip or a group outing to a sporting event. These activities allow people who are in recovery from substance use disorders to connect with peers in a supportive environment. The activities reinforce a sense of community while allowing a person to safely engage in enjoyable, substance-free experiences. The goal is not only to provide ongoing encouragement but also help individuals build healthy, sober lifestyles through positive, shared experiences. Planning sober vacations can feel tricky at first, especially if you’re used to trips filled with parties or alcohol. You can relax, explore, and enjoy new places without risking your progress.
Ms. Honer, who has been in long-term recovery for over 40 years, has worked what is alcoholism in the treatment field for over 33 years. She holds certifications in addiction and co-occurring disorder counseling and a bachelor’s degree in addiction studies, having graduated summa cum laude. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals.
Make sure you include stress-relieving activities in your aftercare plan based on your interests and activities available near you. Limited access to recovery resources, such as therapy or support groups, can make it challenging to maintain sobriety. Your therapists and counsellors can connect you to community resources while creating an aftercare plan for you. Insufficient support from family and friends can hinder motivation and accountability and cause setbacks in recovery. If your loved ones are not supportive of a sober lifestyle, build a new support network in the recovery community. While a spontaneous vacation can be fun, if you’re learning how to have a sober vacation, it’s a good idea to plan each aspect of your trip in advance.
How Can an Aftercare Plan Support Long-Term Recovery?
- Please know that whatever you leave behind, you will return to it.
- Even if you’re going to a location with plenty to do, you want to make sure you have a rough itinerary planned.
- Have a calm and open conversation about how you would like everyone in the household to behave.
- Use mindfulness techniques like mindful breathing, mindful observation, and mindful eating.
Many different social, environmental and emotional challenges can act as addiction triggers. You will not always have control over what’s going on around you. A successful aftercare plan is one that is tailored https://wnbfit.com/cannabinoid-hyperemesis-syndrome-chs/ to your unique needs.
I enjoy entertainment and dancing, but when things get late and out of hand, I skip off to my bed. I look forward to washing my face, getting cozy in cute pj’s and reading my book. I don’t feel like I am missing out on anything, because I know I’ll feel amazing the following day. While vacationing sober is a wonderful milestone in any sobriety journey, it doesn’t have to (and perhaps shouldn’t) vacationing in recovery 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.
Benefits of Aftercare in Addiction Recovery
Map out what activities you’d like to do and sights you’d like to see, and determine how long you want to spend on each. Remember to leave buffer time for unexpected occurrences, and write down any contingency plans in case you run into sudden triggers. Engaging with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) can be beneficial as well.
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