Everyone looks forward to summer. After all, it’s vacation time. Whether hitting the road or staying close to home, we all need to unwind and spend some quality time with those whose company we enjoy. However, for those with alcohol dependency issues, staying sober may become harder if people around you are imbibing and having a different type of good time than the one you were planning. It may not sound like the summer vacation of your dreams but entering a women’s alcohol addiction treatment facility is an option if you’re not feeling strong enough to abstain while family and friends let loose.
At The Willows at Red Oak Recovery, we have established an effective gender-based addiction treatment program for women. Run by master’s level clinicians, each wellness treatment program we have available provides individualized attention to our clients. Our prescription drug addiction treatment program combines experiential and trauma therapies along with meditation and yoga. Our aftercare program offers continuing counseling and support after the traditional treatment program has ended.
10 Tips for Staying Sober on Summer Vacation
If you are going to spend that week at the beach house with your friends from college and you know they like to party, there are ways of staying sober and still having a good time without being a downer to your housemates. Taking responsibility for your actions will keep your head above water even when you’re not swimming in the ocean.
Try Going Hiking
Getting out of the house or hotel room and breathing in some fresh air on a trail while hiking is a sure way to fill your lungs with unfiltered fresh air, even if the air conditioning wasn’t running all night long. Please invite your family or friends to join you and show them that sober fun is still fun.
Read a Book or Write in Your Journal
We all look forward to some “me time” during the lulls in all those activities we get talked into during vacation. Find a quiet place to crack open that mystery novel or childhood memoir you have been looking forward to finally reading. You can also write in a journal to remind yourself that there are other plans that you want to explore through your journaling.
Plan Ahead
What are you going to do when you find yourself alone and thoughts of sneaking a quick drink to steady your nerves pop into your head? Plan ahead for those moments. Take a walk or do a little sightseeing while the others in your group open the wine bottle or crack open another beer. Get some exercise or make a run to the store for extra supplies if you notice that you are running low on some items. Whatever it is, use your time wisely.
Attend a Meeting
It may not sound like something the vacation planner would put on the agenda. However, it could go a long way in helping you stay sober when you need it most.
Meditation
Find some time to take an inner vacation. That’s right. Get inside your head with some meditation and mentally unwind.
Take a Nap
If you’re napping, you’re not drinking. Getting some much-needed rest after a night spent with people enjoying a festive atmosphere can be what you need.
Play a Game
One of your co-vacationers would probably be up for a board game or playing cards. If not, take out the cards and play solitaire. You earned this respite.
Find a Local Event to Attend
It’s summer. There are all kinds of activities to keep people from sticking with the same old routine. Find something fun to do and invite a few friends to come along.
Find a Beach
You didn’t go on vacation to sit in the rental house or hotel room all day. Get out in the warm weather and cool off in the ocean or lake.
The Buddy System
Knowing that you may be tempted to drink when in a social situation, ask a good friend to keep an eye on you. They can still engage in all the fun at the party while making sure you have as much fun as everyone else.
Reach Out to The Willows at Red Oak Recovery Today
Situated in a beautiful setting on an expansive 38-acre campus, The Willows at Red Oak provides a women-only treatment facility that focuses on the wellness of each individual client. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, and we will tailor the program to fit your particular needs. We can be reached online or at 855.773.0614 for you to take the first step on your journey to recovery, both somatically and psychologically.
