If you’re in recovery, you’re already aware of how challenging it can be to prioritise your sobriety in unfamiliar situations. It’s challenging at the best of times to avoid or overcome triggers, stop slipping back into old habits, and ignore cravings. As such, travel, with all its stresses and temptations, can be a minefield for people in recovery. However, there are some situations in which travel can actually be good for recovery, so don’t dismiss the idea of travelling outright! Here, we’ll take a look at how travel can be both good and bad for recovery, plus give you some tips to help manage your recovery and prioritise sobriety while travelling:
When travel can help recovery
Most rehab treatment in the UK will focus extensively on recognising and dealing with your triggers. In many cases, familiarity breeds triggers – and being in the same old environment can bring up old challenges, temptations, and feelings that may have caused you to use in the past. The big advantage of travel in this respect is that it creates distance from situations that have become difficult to manage.
When undertaken with the correct mindset, travelling during recovery doesn’t mean running away from problems. It means recognising that a temporary change of surroundings can sometimes help you reset your thinking.
For example, somebody who has spent months dealing with the same routines, stresses and social pressures may find that a short break creates space to focus on recovery. Time away can also make it easier to reflect on habits that have developed over a long period. Many people find that getting outside their normal environment makes certain patterns easier to recognise.
When travel can create problems
However, it’s just as important to consider the risks. Travel can be stressful, with transport delays, accommodation issues, language barrier struggles, and more. Those frustrations may seem minor, but they can become more difficult to manage if you already feel under pressure. And, if you feel pressured and stressed, you may be less able to resist the urge to use.
Social situations can create problems too. Holidays often revolve around alcohol, for example, and some destinations have a strong party culture. You may also find yourself spending time with people who do not understand your recovery or take it seriously. It can be hard to say ‘No’ in situations like these – especially when you want to relax, let go, and enjoy yourself.
A lack of routine can create difficulties as well. Recovery often involves regular habits, such as attending meetings at fixed times, or exercising regularly. You may have established routines that help you stay focused. Travel can interrupt those routines if you do not plan carefully.
Think about why you are travelling
In order to prioritise your sobriety while traveling, it’s important to think about why you’re going away in the first place. There is a world of difference between taking a holiday because you want a break and travelling because you are trying to escape something. Remember, a change of location will not resolve financial problems, relationship difficulties or other issues waiting for you at home.
Being honest about your reasons for travelling can help you decide whether the timing is right, and may have an impact on the likelihood of your relapsing while away.
Make a plan before you leave
Many travel problems are predictable. For example, if you know that airports make you anxious, think about how you will manage that. If you are travelling with people who drink heavily, decide where to set boundaries and talk to them about your sobriety before you leave. If a particular situation has caused problems in the past, assume it may do so again and plan accordingly.
Travel really can fit into recovery successfully. The key is treating recovery as the priority and the trip as the secondary consideration, rather than the other way around.