Five Tips For Staying Sober While On Holiday

Changing your life and jumping on the wagon to go sober is a courageous move that can be so beneficial for your health. It can be transformative in fact and put you on a pathway in which you’re far better off both physically and mentally.

However, whether you’ve given up yourself or have gone through alcohol rehab there are plenty of challenges and triggers that can make it easy to fall back off the wagon again. That can be particularly the case in more unfamiliar surroundings, such as going on holiday.

A sober holiday, though, can be deeply rewarding, so don’t be afraid to take a trip, you just need to be careful and well-planned when you do. So, if you’re looking to take your first sober holiday but are slightly worried about relapsing, here are five top tips for you to make it through and have a great time…

Set Clear Intentions Before You Travel

Before you even pack your suitcase, it’s essential to be clear with yourself about your reasons for staying sober. Whether you’re in recovery, want to prioritise your mental and physical health, or are simply experimenting with alcohol-free living, reaffirming your ‘why’ can strengthen your resolve. Write it down or share it with someone you trust. Set realistic expectations for your holiday, it doesn’t have to involve alcohol to be memorable. Visualise how you want to feel during and after the trip, and use that as your guide.

Plan Ahead for Triggers and Temptations

Different environments come with different triggers. A beach resort, for example, might mean being surrounded by people sipping cocktails from mid-morning. Think through these scenarios in advance and decide how you’ll respond. If you’re travelling with others, let them know you’re not drinking, it doesn’t have to be a grand announcement, but being upfront can help avoid awkwardness or pressure later on.

What you might want to do is bring your own alcohol-free drinks or do some research around bars and restaurants that have a great range of non-alcoholic drinks. You’ll find many resorts have a great mocktail list these days, making it so much easier to raise a toast without even a sniff of the hard stuff.

Build a Support System, Even From Afar

Really importantly, you should have people there for you that can support you, even if they are back home. Regular check-ins with friends or family, or even your support group can make all the difference. It’ll keep you accountable, while also knowing you’ve got someone at the end of a line if you’re struggling.

You may even be able to check in with local support groups if the language isn’t a barrier and that can be a great way to meet likeminded people who can give you some tips on the area too.

Fill Your Itinerary with Meaningful Activities

One of the best ways to avoid the pull of alcohol is to stay engaged with activities that bring genuine joy and fulfilment. Take a cooking class, go hiking, visit cultural landmarks, or dive into a good book by the pool. Being sober gives you more energy, better sleep, and greater clarity, so take full advantage.

Try to schedule your days with a balance of rest and adventure. Keeping your mind and body active helps reduce boredom and loneliness, which can sometimes act as triggers for drinking.

Be Kind to Yourself and Celebrate Small Wins

Finally, acknowledge that staying sober on holiday is a significant achievement. Celebrate that and recognise the progress you’re making. Don’t worry if you have moments where it becomes difficult, that’s completely normal and acknowledge the strength you’ve had to come through that.

When you’re going away sober for the first time, it can be useful to journal and take photos of your sober experiences. Not only will you find those moments more rewarding, they can also provide great memories to look back on, as well as motivation for future sober trips too.

A sober holiday can be so much more rewarding and you’ll undoubtedly feel the benefit of it, exploring a place more thoroughly and having more connected experiences with other people, nature and the destination you’re visiting as a whole. It’s not easy, but with support and good planning, you can, and will, do it.