by Sarah O’Brien, Ark Behavioral Health

With the summer months in full swing, many are prepping for vacations and family getaways. As much as we’d like travel to be carefree and relaxing, the reality is that it can come with complications (such as financial stress, anxiety over being in a new place, or traveling with kids).

If you’re in addiction recovery or trying to stay sober, these complications can exacerbate substance abuse issues. Visiting places with easy access to bars might tempt you to slip and have a drink, especially if you’re with people who want to go out and experience the nightlife. Or, the stress of traveling and seeing old family or friends could trigger emotions that lead to drug use.

But a vacation should be just that: a vacation. This is a chance for you to get away, visit somewhere new, and enjoy your time away from home. Traveling does not have to lead to relapse. With a few helpful strategies in place, you can have a successful trip with minimal stress and chances of relapsing.

How to Stay Sober on Vacation

Whether you’re sober-curious and trying to maintain your sober habits on vacation, or you’re recovering from an addiction and need to stay away from substances, the tips below can help you to stay on top of your drinking or drug use.

Here are 10 tips on staying sober while traveling and on vacation:

1. Know your triggers: An important part of any recovery plan is understanding triggers. Before you travel somewhere, make a physical or mental list of your triggers (bars, things that trigger anxiety, being alone, having easier access to substances, etc.) and come up with practical ways to address those issues when and if they arise.
2. Manage your diet: Vacations are for indulging, so feel free to enjoy different foods and non-alcoholic drinks. But remember that nutritional balance is vital to maintaining mood and emotional balance in recovery, so make it a point to watch what you’re consuming and how it makes you feel.
3. Have accountability: For many people, being alone on vacation opens the door to relapse because their usual supports are not in place. Be sure to check in with a friend or family member regularly, call your sponsor if you feel the urge to drink or use drugs, or find another way to stay accountable while on vacation. If you usually attend a 12-step group, you might even find a recovery group meeting in the area you’re traveling to.
4. Continue recovery habits: Going on a vacation doesn’t mean you have to leave everything behind. If you typically start your mornings with gratitude journaling or meditation, keep up those practices while you’re traveling. This will help to keep your stress levels and emotions stable.
5. Practice self-care: If you’re on a vacation, it’s the perfect time to focus on your physical and emotional needs. Take your time getting ready in the morning, practice verbal affirmations, have a social media detox, and use the travel time to relax and care for yourself.
6. Find sober activities: One of the best ways to stay sober while traveling is to plan ahead. Look for local museums, hiking spots, restaurants, tours, and other activities. This will help you to avoid boredom, which can lead to substance use. By knowing what you’re doing ahead of time, you’ll already have the framework you need to avoid using drugs or alcohol.
7. Take precautions before you leave: Before you leave for a vacation, you should choose your destination carefully (avoiding those known for partying or drug use), ask hotel staff ahead of time to remove the minibar from your room, and travel with people who understand your recovery process and need to remain sober.
8. Bring someone with you: Solo trips can test a person’s sobriety. If you have a trip planned alone — perhaps a business trip, or a plan to visit a family member — ask someone to come with you to help keep you accountable. You might bring a spouse, a family member, or a trusted friend.
9. Mentally prepare to see family: If you’re traveling for a graduation, wedding, or another event in which you’ll see family that may be triggering, prepare yourself ahead of time for these interactions. Make sure you have a space to go to when you’re overwhelmed (such as the bathroom) and have an exit strategy so you can leave when you need to. 
10. Have a sober response ready: If you’re traveling with or visiting people who don’t know about your decision to stay sober, it’s best to have a few responses prepared to the question, “Why aren’t you drinking?” You might say, “I’m working on my health right now,” “I make more memories on trips when I don’t drink,” or “I’m driving the rental, so I’ll pass.”

Travel Sober This Summer

With some of the strategies mentioned above, you can plan a drug- or alcohol-free trip. Be sure to think through some of the triggers and potential stumbling blocks before leaving for a vacation so you’re not surprised when you arrive and run into issues. Remain calm and keep the perspective that your sobriety is more important than anything else.