Addiction recovery is one of the toughest things anyone can go through in life and it’s affecting more and more people.
Treatment is naturally the best course of action, with alcohol rehab incredibly important in setting a person up in recovery and giving them the best chance of not relapsing. When entering that recovery phase it’s important not to rush into things.
While going sober is life changing and a monumental achievement, it’s also important to be cautious. Often people want to take a holiday, but when away from home that’s when things can be most difficult.
So, when is a good time to go travelling once you’ve gone through addiction treatment and into recovery?
Stability in Recovery
Most importantly when it comes to deciding whether you’re fit to travel in recovery is how stable you’re feeling. You need a solid foundation when it comes to travelling as you’ll be in new surroundings where there’s potential for disruption and stress, including challenges that really can come from out of nowhere.
Consultation with Healthcare Professionals
A good way to find out whether you’re ready to travel is to get help and advice from a healthcare professional. Use your counsellors and therapists as they’ve years of experience around the subject and will be able to help you understand if you’re ready or not.
They’ll guide you on trigger points, coping strategies and so on, which can really help you in deciding whether going on holiday is the right option at this time.
Understanding Triggers and Vulnerabilities
Throughout your treatment you’ll start to understand your trigger points and vulnerabilities when it comes to your addiction. That might be certain environments or social situations, particular things that cause more stress. By understanding these, you can decide firstly whether travelling is suitable, but also plan activities that won’t make any of those triggers more likely.
Choosing Sober-Friendly Destinations
That’s the same for choosing a destination too. If you’ve gone through alcohol addiction or gambling, for example, it’s probably not the best idea to fly off to Las Vegas, where temptation is at every corner.
Explore locations that will fit in with your new lifestyle. That could be going to a country renowned for its wellness retreats or even visiting a country where alcohol isn’t legal. Do your research around countries that are better for sober travellers and make a decision of where to go based on that.
Establishing a Support Network
Finally, establish yourself a strong support network so that if you do face any challenges, then you’ve got people you can talk to and provide you with the support you need to get through it. That could be travelling with them or just knowing that they’re on the end of a phone or video call if you do need them.
By doing all of the above, you’ll make sure you’re in the best possible position to go travelling and maintain your sobriety. Don’t rush into it, do it when you’re ready, and it’ll make that trip all the more worthwhile.
