We all have triggers, even those of us who have been in recovery for years. Hopefully, you’ve identified some of your triggers and have developed some skills to deal with them if they pop up. For example, if an outdoor music festival is a trigger, this is something that you might wish to avoid over your summer trip. Vacations are an excellent opportunity for us to unplug, however in recovery, unplugging does not mean disconnecting from our sober support network.
Travel Tips for an Alcohol-Free Trip
According to experts from Bright Futures Treatment Center Florida, after completing your treatment program, being on your own can feel overwhelming. Especially if you need to quit your old habits or maybe even change your social circle. You might feel lonely and experience depression, anxiety, or other issues. The recovery road is a long-term commitment and has its ups and downs. Staying sober can be difficult when you are going on vacation, but know that it is possible to not have a drink of alcohol at some destinations.
Tami-Jo Stevenson, SEP, Level I IFS, CTT
- Andrew’s professional journey is a testament to his leadership and commitment to serving others.
- Bronwyn lives in Kent with her loving husband and their two beautiful children.
- This accountability can help individuals resist temptations and make healthier choices while traveling.
- She has volunteered in African and Asian nations caring for and supporting displaced, vulnerable, and underserved populations.
- His role at High Watch is to ensure that we have the financial capacity to deliver the care and services our guests need day in and day out.
Teaching people the tools that they need to lead a healthy and sober life is what Dana excels at. She is trained in many types of therapy including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/is-it-safe-to-drink-alcohol-during-pregnancy/ is certified in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR). She is also working toward her certificate in Sociometrics and Psychodrama.
Find Support on the Road
While in eating disorder recovery, it is important to prepare to be surrounded by these triggers and to have a plan of action. Maybe the plan consists of eating only at certain times of the day or only trying one sugary food once a day. It may be wise to set up a program with your dietitian and therapist to prevent as many triggers as possible. A rule of thumb when traveling while in eating disorder recovery is to avoid fast food restaurants, buffets or foods that may make you sick (uncooked meat, raw veggies or street food in developing countries).
Sober Vacationing
Try sober vacation destinations abroad, such as Sri Lanka, Japan, and Morocco, to name a few. Even if you aren’t traveling, it’s still important to hit the pause button for a while and take time to relax and get away from the busy pace of life and the anxiety you may be feeling as a result of COVID-19. If you are relatively new vacationing in recovery to sobriety, “getting away” might not be wise. Early on in recovery, people are typically on much shakier ground physically and mentally. People often take a vacation to “get away from it all.” And that typically includes shutting off your phone and shutting out distractions.
Plan to avoid temptation
As a guest once, herself, she knows how critical it is to stay in treatment as long as possible to ensure the best possible outcomes for long term recovery. With over 5 years of experience in HR, Crystal has learned the importance of communication, collaboration and teamwork. Lizzy McGlothlin has worked in the behavioral health field for over 15 years in various administrative and leadership roles. She previously worked with Onsite since 2009, where she has served in admissions, marketing, programming, business development, and entertainment services. He is passionate about helping guests improve their relationships with themselves and helping them better meet their social and emotional needs. Colin is a High Watch alumnus, and he completed his undergraduate education at Yale University and Masters in Social Work at UConn School of Social Work.
This communication can help ensure that everyone is on the same page and that your travel companions understand and respect your boundaries. By setting these boundaries, you can create a supportive environment that encourages your sobriety and minimizes potential triggers. Sobriety apps can be valuable tools for those seeking support on the go. One such app is Loosid, which offers a range of features including chat groups, a sober dating platform, and access to six hotlines available 24/7 for immediate support during challenging moments.
She is passionate about connecting with marijuana addiction people and helping them find the right next step in their emotional wellness journey. Lizzy’s recovery journey sparked her passion for helping others and inspired her desire to change and grow as a leader in this particular field. The positive correlation between gender and creativity deserves to be mentioned (with females reporting higher levels of creativity than men).
Don’t Be Afraid to Say ‘No’
By taking care of these details, they alleviate stress and allow individuals to focus on their recovery without the added burden of managing travel logistics. Additionally, Tempest, a group coaching program, offers an 8-week program designed to support individuals in maintaining their sobriety. They provide free resources, opportunities for online community participation, and offer partial scholarships for their program to individuals from communities disproportionately affected by addiction 6.
Find Support Today at Riverside Recovery of Tampa
Additionally, she is a certified trainer in Sociometrics and has been training with Tian Dayton for three years in Psychodrama. Tami-Jo has completed 200 hours of specialized trauma training through Spirit to Spirit to become a Certified Trauma Therapist. Other certifications include; Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Suicide Prevention, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, and as a Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victim Advocate.