If you’re planning for summer vacation, you may notice that many events, venues or parties involve alcoholic beverages. It can be challenging to be in these environments when recovering from alcohol addiction. Rather than trying to find alcohol-free activities, you can host your own event with sober friends and family members. The most important thing to remember when trying to stay sober at summer BBQs is that you can always opt-out. If it sounds like things will be getting out of hand, feel free to decide in advance that it won’t be a good fit for you.
Be Honest About Your Challenges
Rather than viewing it as a failure, take it as a learning lesson that can help you progress through recovery. Your mistakes don’t define who you are, but they can be excellent tools to help you make the necessary changes to become the person you want to be. Communicating with others in a support group can also help others experiencing the same challenges. https://ecosoberhouse.com/ Celebrating your milestones reinforces your commitment to recovery and provides motivation for the continued journey ahead. Remember, each milestone, no matter how big or small, is a victory worth celebrating. You can also visit a bathhouse in Manhattan for about $40 to purge your body of toxins while watching heavy-set men whipping each other with reeds.
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- A study published by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse found that up to 70 percent of all deaths that happened during water recreation activities involve the use of alcohol2.
- While these occasions are inherently joyful, they often come with an abundance of alcohol, which can be challenging for those dedicated to maintaining sobriety.
Bring your own non-alcoholic beverages so you have something to drink. Inform the host about your sobriety if you’re comfortable, so they can support you. Make sure to have an exit plan in place in case you feel uneasy or triggered. That means there will be celebrations, weddings, parties, and all kinds of other social events, most of which are likely to include alcohol.
Written by Evolve’s Behavioral Health Content Team:
It might seem like a party is the last place to get philosophical, but it’s actually a great time to take a few deep breaths and reflect on your behaviour and everyone else’s. There’s nothing like being sober at a social gathering to watch the effect drinking has on others behaviours. Watch how people change under the influence of alcohol and ask yourself what you find appealing or disagreeable about those changes. What are a few ways you could adopt the appealing behaviours without using alcohol as an instigator?
Experiment with a few activities or hobbies until you find something you’re passionate about, and then dive in. Volunteering can be a pivotal aspect of the recovery process, providing both a sense of purpose and a stronger connection to the community. It offers an opportunity to give back, build self-esteem, and develop new relationships, all of which are invaluable during recovery. By focusing on hydration and nutrition, you’re not only bolstering your physical health but also creating a stable foundation that supports ongoing recovery.
Keep Non-Alcoholic Drinks in Hand
Planning activities that don’t revolve around alcohol or drugs is a rewarding way to have summer fun while staying true to a substance-free lifestyle. Exploring new hobbies or revisiting old ones can offer joy, fulfillment, and a sense of achievement. Establishing boundaries is essential for protecting your recovery during summer festivities. Boundaries help in defining what you are comfortable with and what you are not, acting as a guide for both yourself and those around you. Clear boundaries ensure that you can participate in activities while maintaining your commitment to a substance-free lifestyle.
Using the simple steps listed above you can start enjoying your summer with less worry about peer pressure. By preparing ahead, staying engaged with activities, and leaning on your support network, you can navigate social gatherings how to survive summer parties and boozy bbqs with confidence and grace. Remember, sobriety is not just about avoiding substances; it’s about embracing a healthier, more fulfilling way of life. Take control of your summer, and let your commitment to sobriety shine.
If you encounter a trigger while you’re on vacation, you can call a member of your support network to help you cope. Summer is a season filled with warmth, longer days, and plentiful social gatherings and events. While these moments are often joyful, they can also present unique challenges for individuals committed to a substance-free lifestyle. The increased prevalence of outdoor parties, barbecues, and holiday celebrations can trigger temptations or feelings of isolation for those in recovery.
Just because you’re not drinking doesn’t mean you can’t party with the best of them. New York’s conscious clubbing scene encourages unrestrained gyrations on the dance floor, minus the inebriation. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” By informing your support resources about your intention to enjoy specific summer events, they can prepare themselves to support you. A couple of “check-in” calls from a support resource could be all you need to stay aware of what and who you are as a recovering addiction sufferer. Your sobriety doesn’t have to be something you feel like you need to justify if you do choose to attend drink-filled occasions. Here are five key tips from alcohol abuse experts on how to effectively navigate the summer if cocktails aren’t in the cards for you.
Begin your recovery
If they don’t want to leave out the alcohol altogether, chances are they won’t try to pressure you to join in the drinking. The first step towards staying sober at summer BBQs is to make a plan in advance. It can be much harder to stick to your goals of avoiding alcohol if you’re confronted with it unexpectedly.
