Giving up alcohol and recreational drugs is something that can be very challenging for many people. When you are looking to give up drugs and alcohol, you may find that it is easier to do it if you are able to stay in a good routine and focus on your goals and personal health. While many people are able to stay sober during their daily lives, changes to patterns and situations can make it much harder to stay clean. One situation in which staying sober is difficult is when you are traveling for either work or fun. While it can be much harder to stay sober when you are on the road, there are eight tips that you can follow that can help you to stay clean.
Get Rid of Immediate Temptations
When you are traveling, the very first thing that you should do is do everything you can to get rid of immediate temptations. If you are staying in a hotel room, you should contact the front desk before you arrive to make sure that they clear out the mini bar in your room. You should also do your best to avoid walking by the open bar and other temptations that are around.
Avoid Triggering Events
When you are going on vacation or traveling for work, you should also do your best to avoid going to events that could trigger your temptations. It can be challenging to avoid alcohol in all situations, but there are things that you could do to stay away from it more. For example, you should try to cut back and going out to happy hour with coworkers or going to other events where alcohol will be served. However, if there are cases that you are associated with drug abuse, it is best to consult an expert that offers medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction, for example.
Plan Sober Activities
One of the reasons why people can start to feel tempted on a vacation or business trip is because they do not have anything planned to do. While it can be nice to relax and sit around for part of your trip, you should find time to partake in activities that are healthy for you and will not include drinking alcohol. Doing this will fill up time on your trip and give you something to look forward to.
Be Honest with Travel Partners
If you are taking a trip with coworkers or people that you do not know very well, it is very important that you are honest with them. Almost all people are understanding of individuals that are trying to cut back on alcohol. However, you need to be honest if you are trying to avoid it during your trip. This will help to keep all people on the same page and could reduce peer pressure.
Bring Other Entertainment
Even if you have a very busy trip planned, there are bound to be times when you are sitting around and not doing much. During these time periods, you should make sure that you have something with you to stay entertained and busy. Some great options can include bringing a book to read or a movie to watch.
Stay Connected
When you are away from your support system, you should also find ways to stay connected to them. You should make a habit of calling your spouse, close friends, or sponsor when you are traveling. This will help you to feel closer to home and more accountable for your decisions. They may also be able to give you the support that you need when you need it the most.
Find Other Ways to Treat Yourself
When traveling for work or for fun, you will want to make sure that you have something to look forward to. Since this will likely not include going out for a nice drink, you should find other ways to treat yourself. Some great options can include buying yourself a gift, going to a nice meal, or doing an activity that you enjoy.
Exercise
Finally, you should find ways to exercise when you are away. Exercise is one of the best ways to reduce stress. When you do exercise while you are traveling, you could reduce stress and feel a reduced need to drink. This can go a long way when it comes to staying sober while you are on your trip.
