Staying in the same place for too long can be hard on your mental health. It can cause depression and cause you to feel like you are in a monotonous loop. Traveling is a great way to remedy that feeling and recharge your mental health.
Going to new places can appear to be difficult when you are in recovery. Some tourist destinations are centered around drinking so it can be hard to find safe places to go on vacation. While it can be difficult at first, there are lots of fun places you can explore while sober.
Start by restructuring how you think of traveling. You may be used to going out to different bars and restaurants when you traveled during active addiction. Now that you are in recovery, ask yourself what other activities you are interested in that you may want to experience in a new city.
The ultimate goal is to enjoy yourself and to go somewhere you may have never been and experience a different culture. You don't even have to leave the country to find extreme opposites or all-new things you've never encountered or even imagined.
Now that you've been through treatment, you know yourself best, so you know what kinds of things might be triggering for you when traveling. That said, below are some guidelines to help you stay sober through your travels.
The first thing to consider is where you are going. This might seem obvious but it can be difficult if you are newly sober. A city like New Orleans might sound appealing at first but it may be triggering due to the heavy party culture the city is known for.
Try looking for something that fits your current lifestyle habits. For instance, if you're into hiking try finding places that have good hiking locations like Gatlinburg, Tennessee, or Boulder, Colorado. Maybe you're more interested in historical sights, art, amusement parks, national parks, sports, or something else. Find what speaks to you and look for a place that can provide you with that experience.
Another thing to keep in mind is who you are traveling with and their goals. If you are traveling with someone who is all about partying and bar hopping, reconsider your traveling partner. Try traveling with someone that has like-minded interests so you can enjoy the same things together.
It's extremely important to know your limits. You know what things might trigger you. If being around other people drinking doesn't present dangers to your sobriety, by all means, go to places where you will encounter that scene if they interest you in other ways. However, if you know that a certain city will present certain triggers, you may want to avoid a trip there.
If you are in a place that is triggering there are some things that you can do to cope with them. Exiting the situation that is triggering is always an option. Say you are at a bar for dinner and you begin to feel overwhelmed. Try taking a walk around the block to help clear your head. If it is still too much, communicate what you need with your companions.
Communication is also important when it comes to coping with triggers. Letting the people you are traveling with know what you are and aren't comfortable with can make all the difference. Don't be afraid to set boundaries. Doing so is a way for you to enjoy your vacation while avoiding situations that could be harmful to your sobriety.
Having a plan also helps. Don't feel like you have to strictly adhere to your plan—if you want to veer away from what you have planned that is okay too. Planning is especially helpful if stress or boredom is triggering for you. Recognize these triggers and plan ways to manage them. This allows you to have fun while also staying safe and in a healthy state of mind. You'll have a guideline for your day and know of ways to fill it to avoid getting bored.
Remember that, ultimately, you are traveling to have a good time, see another culture, experience new things, and decompress from the stresses of everyday life. It is easy to get wrapped up in your day-to-day life and getting away for a bit can help.
There are times when you can feel limited by your sobriety. You may feel like you can't do certain things because they revolve around substances like parties or family gatherings. Traveling does not have to be that way. You can see new places or revisit old ones through a new lens.
Anxiety is natural when traveling. However, by setting boundaries, having a plan, and communicating with your travel partners, you can have a wonderful time. Sobriety should be about getting the most out of your life. Traveling can be a part of that. Don't feel like your sobriety is a hindrance because it is not. Traveling while sober can be one of the most rewarding things you do for yourself. Enjoy wherever you end up going and have a great time.
Traveling is a great way to get out and see the world. While exploring a new place can be fun and exciting for others, it can sometimes be hard to avoid certain things such as being around drinking. This can be especially difficult when visiting places that thrive on tourism and bar or party scenes. It can also take time to learn what things you are interested in. However, once you find those things, there's likely somewhere within the United States you can go to experience any number of things that interest you all while staying sober and taking a breather from your everyday life. If you are struggling with traveling in recovery, NorthStar Transitions is here to help. We can help you plan ways to stay sober when you encounter unexpected triggers, even in new cities. Reach out today at (303) 558-6400.
