It’s that time of the year again, the time where students flock to the beach, drinking and partying in excess. You don’t want to end up in an alcohol rehab center, but you also don’t want to miss out on the fun.
So what do you do to stay sober during spring break?
Go somewhere new
When you’re deciding where to go for spring break, try and chose a location that you haven’t been to before, especially if it is somewhere you went during your period of drinking. This way, you will not be triggered by any landmarks or memories of things that happened. Try somewhere you haven’t been, preferably away from big cities that are often filled with bars and drunken revelers. Go outdoors to campsites or national parks where it is difficult to find alcohol, but where you can connect with nature and spend quality time with your friends or family.
Make a plan to stay sober
If you’re going to be around people who are drinking or in an environment with alcohol, plan ahead. Work out a relapse prevention plan so you won’t have to struggle through the sudden anxiety of being surrounded by temptation. One of the best things you can do is organize a support group beforehand. Who can you call if you start craving a drink? Everyone needs someone they can turn to, especially if you feel you can’t stay sober without help. If possible, see if you can organize a friend or group of friends who don’t mind staying sober with you – that way you won’t be pressured into drinking. Alternatively, if you’re comfortable with telling the people around you of your struggle with addiction, let your friends know that you will not be drinking. Hopefully, they will respect your decision and not pressurize you into drinking. If not, you’ll need to make a new plan, one that might involve leaving that specific group.
Stay busy
Too much spare time or empty days and nights are often the main reasons people relapse. Don’t fall into this cycle of boredom because you no longer have a set routine to rely on. Try and organize your activities in advance, so you know you won’t be idle and thus tempted to drink. Working out what you will be doing ahead of time will also help eliminate some of the anxieties that come with a fear of relapse. Moreover, you’ll have a great time as you will have organized and booked all of the best activities way in advance!
Be conscious of your actions
Spring break is not a holiday from your daily sobriety routine. Yes, it is a holiday, but you must continue to actively remain sober as you do the rest of the year. It may be tempting to have just one or two drinks with your friends, because hey, everyone is doing it. You can go back to being the designated driver when you get back, right? Unfortunately, alcoholism doesn’t work like that.
If you feel like it’s time for rehab, give us a call. Rehab is a vital part of overcoming alcohol dependence and abuse. Without proper treatment, alcoholism can spiral out of control, leading to severe emotional, social, and economic issues.