Have you finally been enjoying a spell of sobriety and are feeling that you’d like to take a trip? This can be a challenging venture, especially if alcohol has been at the center of your previous vacations. For a lot of us a holiday includes laying on a beach while sipping on exotic daiquiris or new beers. I know for me my European holidays looked more like pub crawls than culturally fulfilling getaways. But as I’ve pleasantly learnt and experienced, travelling sober can offer up a whole new world of adventure and force you out of your comfort zone in a healthy way.
Whether travelling alone, with family, friends or colleagues having a plan in place to keep your sobriety in check is a must to ensure you keep yourself on the right track. Here are seven tips from my own personal experiences that have all been a major help.
- Have a steady check-in partner. You may not be comfortable disclosing your situation to your travel companions, and even if you are they may not always be around if you need them. Having a solid go-to contact back home that knows your situation can be a lifesaver if you feel urges coming on. A quick text or phone call to say you’re experiencing the temptation to drink can distract your thoughts and provide the reinforcement or encouragement needed to weather a stressful situation.
- Know what you’re buying. Depending on where you travel you will probably be exposed to a variety of new drinks, either while shopping or socializing. Being diligent in reading labels to ensure the drinks you choose are alcohol-free can save you from a costly error. This is especially true in foreign countries when the labels aren’t in your native tongue. I’ve spent plenty of time analyzing Vietnamese sodas and Spanish menus looking for signs of alcohol. Seeing a percentage sign is usually a dead giveaway no matter where you are.
- Allow yourself a different reward. Now that I’m not blowing money on alcohol, I like to treat myself to little luxuries while I’m away. I tend to not fuss over the price of a meal, or maybe do that activity that I used to shy away from as I didn’t want to waste drinking money. For me this has included skydiving, parasailing, paragliding, scuba diving, excursions and so much more. Clearly I seem to enjoy higher-octane activities, but find your own reward. Maybe you get that Italian leather jacket from the market that caught your eye, or you finally decide to take a group cooking class in Buenos Aires. Or it could simply be upgrading to the nicer hotel suite and feeling spoiled for a night. Whatever it is, let yourself indulge a bit and experience new thrills.
- Travel with a sober group. There are companies that arrange sober holidays which is especially valuable if you are a solo traveller. You’ll be in the company of a support group and other like-minded travellers that don’t have drinking on their itinerary. It’s a great way to meet new people that will know and understand your situation and the difficulties you may face. And these aren’t just road trips to Wyoming. Hawaiian or Alaskan cruises, African safaris or Australian adventures are all on the agenda.
- Research AA or other support groups in your travel area. If you attend AA, knowing where you can pop into a meeting is a great lifeline while on the road. It can offer you a familiar environment and the companionship you may need if you suddenly feel the urge to drink while away. Most support groups are welcoming to travelers, and I’ve attended meetings at home where people have dropped in that were away from their homes.
- Be honest about not drinking. This may be challenging, especially if you are in the company of work colleagues with whom you don’t feel comfortable letting into your personal life. But I can say from experience that simply telling people “no thanks, I don’t drink” quickly ends anybody trying to force drinks upon you. Most people are out for a good time and welcome new company when on the road, regardless of their personal situations. I’ve opened up to plenty of fellow travellers and am always impressed with the warmness and courtesy I receive when sharing I don’t drink.
- If it feels too soon, it probably is! Above all else, don’t rush into things. If you’re feeling unsure or are early in your recovery, consider delaying your travel plans until you have built up a solid foundation within yourself. Despite the joy and fulfillment travel brings, it is not worth compromising the sobriety you have established for yourself. And consider starting small; try an overnight road trip versus jetting off to Ibiza for a three week extravaganza. Choose a destination that won’t trigger you into relapsing. Returning to a friends party cabin may not be the best place to start, but camping in a family campground may be better suited to you. Whatever you decide, do not rush things if you genuinely are unsure of yourself. Your well-being is priority number one!
Giving up drinking doesn’t mean giving up living, and once you’re comfortable and ready you can begin to explore this amazing world with an entirely new perspective. Sobriety isn’t a lock, but a key that opens endless doors. Let yourself live!
