While you may have heard plenty of tips for staying sober in the summer, what happens when you want to travel?
Are there any sober vacation ideas that are still fun and exciting? Of course! At Banyan Palm Springs, we understand that life doesn’t stop after rehab, and it shouldn’t. Even if you’re in addiction recovery, there are still plenty of ways to vacation sober and still have fun.
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Fun Sober Vacation Ideas for Everyone
A lot of people don't know how to have fun on vacation without alcohol or don’t even think it’s possible. But you don’t need to drink to have a good time. Whether you’ve undergone alcohol addiction treatment or you simply want to cut down on your drinking, here are some fun sober vacations you can enjoy on your own or with loved ones.
Hiking
Even if you don’t consider yourself an active person or claim to have some sort of allergy to exercising, you should still try hiking. Hiking is a great sober vacation because it’s the perfect opportunity to get outdoors and explore the beauty of nature. The exercise itself also boosts the release of endorphins, which improves your mood. Whether it’s with a spouse or the whole family, you can head to California to hike at Yosemite National Park or visit Tennessee to explore the Great Smoky Mountains.
Ski Trip
Yes, another active sober vacation idea, but it’s so much fun! Especially if you live in a warm place, a winter vacation may be the best sober trip for you. You can book a reservation at one of the many ski resorts in the U.S. This kind of vacation also encourages you to stay clear-headed and sober. You’ll definitely want to be on high alert when you’re learning how to ski down the side of a mountain.
Amusement Parks
Amusement parks like Disney World, Universal, and Six Flags are great destinations for people who want to have an exciting vacation without alcohol. With all of the rides and attractions, you won’t feel bored enough to think about drinking and you’ll also want to stay as hydrated as possible when walking around for the majority of the day. These amusement parks also hold a lot of meaning for some people, especially Disney. This could be a perfect opportunity to make new and sober memories with people you love.
Spa Retreat
Because both addiction recovery and cutting down on alcohol can be tough, going on a spa retreat is a good way to recharge and relax. Sometimes we need to separate ourselves from our everyday routines and enjoy a relaxing trip. There are plenty of great spa or wellness retreats that do not serve alcohol with the intention of keeping their guests healthy. After going on a spa retreat, you’ll come back feeling rejuvenated and ready to take on new challenges.
Road Trip
What better way to enjoy some amazing sights and avoid alcohol than going on a road trip? This is one of the best sober vacation ideas because you have complete control over where you’re going and who you’re with. Going on a road trip gives you the flexibility of moving from one place to another whenever you want, whereas staying in one place for vacation may limit how much control you have over your surroundings.
Travel to a Big City
The great thing about big cities is that they have a ton of options! For example, New York has fun and beautiful sights and tourist attractions like Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, Broadway, Radio City Music Hall, American Museum of Natural History, the MOMA, and more. Not only can these attractions keep you distracted from drinking, you’ll also be able to enjoy them more because you're sober.
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How to Stay Sober on Vacation
Because temptation can exist wherever you go, our drug and alcohol rehab center in Palm Springs wanted to offer some tips for traveling sober.
- Travel with people you trust
- Avoid going to places where alcohol is present alone (especially if it’s your first trip after addiction treatment)
- Call the place you’re staying and tell them to remove all alcohol from the room
- Stay fed and hydrated during your trip
- Bring snacks for traveling (hunger, thirst, and exhaustion are common relapse triggers)
- Stay in touch with people back home (this is a great way to stay safe and keep yourself accountable)
- Avoid bars (while you may want to visit a popular bar or pub wherever you go, it’s best to avoid places that are centered around alcohol, especially if it’s your first trip sober)
Having fun on vacation without alcohol is possible! If you or a loved one wants to start the recovery process, call Banyan Treatment Centers Palm Springs today at 888-280-4763 for more information about our different levels of care.
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