Summer is the perfect time to plan relaxing getaways with family and friends. Unfortunately, many people spend their vacations drinking alcohol.
If you’re trying to stay sober, you might think it’s safer to just stay home. Luckily, that’s not the case. Here are seven exciting ways to keep your summer trips alcohol-free.
1. Go Camping
When camping at a national park, you can enjoy a variety of alcohol-free outdoor activities. Depending on the location, these activities may include:
- hiking
- kayaking
- whitewater rafting
- rock climbing
- mountain biking
Along with boosting your physical health, these activities trigger the release of endorphins. Endorphins are brain chemicals that make you feel happy and relaxed. When you get these feelings from healthy activities, you’re less likely to crave alcohol or other drugs.
In addition, spending time in nature can improve your sense of well-being. This is especially important when you are recovering from an alcohol addiction.
Finally, camping makes it easy to avoid alcohol, assuming you only pack non-alcoholic beverages. Just make sure your fellow campers respect your decision to stay sober.
2. Take A Road Trip
On a road trip, you get to bond with your loved ones while exploring the country. Avoid alcohol triggers by carefully planning your route and scheduling sober activities, such as visits to museums, shopping centers, and roadside attractions.
Also, in case you feel tempted to drink, you can find alcohol addiction support groups in almost any part of the country.
Many sober road trippers also enjoy visiting dry counties, which restrict the sale of alcohol. Currently, you can find these counties in Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Texas.
3. Visit A Spa Resort
Spa resorts offer relaxing, rejuvenating services that are ideal for people in recovery. A typical spa day involves activities such as massages, facials, and body masks.
You will also have access to nutritious meals and, in some cases, classes that teach exercise, yoga, and other wellness activities. The skills you learn in these classes can support your addiction recovery long after your vacation time ends.
In addition, because spas focus on health and wellness, most of them ban or limit alcoholic drinks, which makes it much easier for you to stay sober.
4. Go On A Meditation Retreat
For many people, meditation is essential to addiction recovery. In particular, the practice can help you accept and manage difficult feelings instead of trying to numb them with alcohol or other drugs.
At a meditation retreat, you can strengthen your mindfulness skills alongside people with similar goals. You can also invite sober friends to support each other’s health journeys.
Some meditation retreats focus on spiritual goals, such as connecting with a higher power. Other retreats are more secular, aiming primarily to help you become more mindful. Both types of retreats make for a relaxing, alcohol-free getaway.
5. Take A Cruise
Many cruise ship passengers spend a lot of time drinking. However, most ships also offer numerous alcohol-free activities and amenities, such as:
- movie theaters
- concerts
- musicals
- comedy shows
- bowling alleys
- skating rinks
- water parks
- roller coasters
- indoor skydiving
In addition, many cruise ships hold daily addiction support group meetings called “Friends of Bill W.” This name references one of the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous.
If you’re still worried that a cruise could cause a relapse, consider booking a sober cruise. These alcohol-free trips allow you to relax and have fun in a safe, supportive environment.
6. Visit An Amusement Park
Dedicated to family-friendly fun, most amusement parks have little to no emphasis on alcohol. For example, at most Disney parks, you can only get alcohol at table service restaurants, and some parks even forbid guests from walking around with alcoholic drinks in hand.
That means you won’t have to worry about the frequent alcohol triggers found at more adult-oriented destinations.
You might think an amusement park is only good for a single day of summer fun. However, many amusement parks also offer hotels, shopping centers, and other amenities that make them ideal for weeks-long vacations.
7. Take A Sober Travel Tour
Some people get overwhelmed when trying to plan a sober travel experience. In that case, consider contacting a sober travel agency. These agencies can connect you with alcohol-free vacation destinations that meet your personal needs and interests.
They may also organize group tours for sober people. These tours offer much-needed structure and support for those who want to visit potentially triggering locations, such as Las Vegas or New Orleans, without fear of relapse.
The tours often include support group meetings as well as motivational speakers to support your long-term recovery.
If you or a loved one struggles with alcohol or other drugs, please reach out to a Recovering Champions specialist.
Our compassionate health care providers offer evidence-based addiction treatment options such as mental health counseling, support groups, and medication-assisted treatment.
