Summer holidays and activities can still be enjoyable without alcohol. In fact, drinking during the summer can be dangerous because it dehydrates and can make heat illness more likely. Therefore, choose sober activities to stay healthier, hydrated, and happier. Plus, these activities fit well with the recommendations of relapse prevention therapy programs to protect sobriety after leaving a rehab center. At Baltimore Detox Center, our relapse prevention therapy and alumni program can help people remain on the road to recovery without the influence of alcohol.
Sober Activities at Home
During the summer, those who have time off work or school may find themselves spending many hours at home. Unless they have a plan to avoid boredom or triggering emotions, staying sober at home may be difficult. Some potentially sober options for at home include:
- Playing board games with friends or family
- Talking to friends or family on the phone or over a video conference
- Swimming at a neighborhood pool
- Playing video games with online chat
- Learning to play a musical instrument or taking up another hobby
What marks each of these sober activities is how they prevent alone time. In each activity, the hands stay busy, or the person is with other people to occupy themselves from thoughts of drinking.
When hanging out with friends or family, though, avoiding those who drink could be essential to maintaining sober living. Therefore, anyone who knows people who drink may want to distance themselves from their drinking friends or family until they feel strong enough to fight the temptation to drink.
Sober Living While on Vacation
Planning sober activities while on vacation starts before leaving. Choose destinations that have few drinking opportunities. For instance, family-friendly theme parks have a lower chance of selling alcohol than adults-only resorts.
As with staying home, when on vacation, avoiding boredom can be a key to staying away from drinking. So, fill up the days of vacation with activities that encourage engagement and prevent downtime and boredom. For example, try taking surfing lessons at a beach vacation or rent a boat for a trip to the lake. Boating activities are good options for vacation as long as the vessel does not have alcohol aboard because there is no chance for unplanned drinking in those situations.
Self-care, such as going to a spa or getting a massage, could also help to prevent drinking. The pampering puts the individual in better touch with ways to make themselves feel great without alcohol.
Sober Activities During Special Events
Special events such as picnics, barbecues, and Fourth of July parties present difficult times for those who want to avoid beer, margaritas, and other alcoholic beverages. However, there are ways to make these events sober.
First, anyone who does not want to drink should bring their own non-alcoholic beverages, with enough to share. For instance, instead of relying on the host to provide options aside from alcohol, bring cans of sparkling water, sodas, or juice. Having enough for others ensures that the person who brought the non-alcoholic drinks is not the only one at the event avoiding alcohol.
Another way to make special events during the summer sober activities is to host them. Hosting the events and requiring that all guests abstain from alcohol ensures that there will be no temptations to drink.
Find sober friends to hang out with during the summer. Those who have gone through alcohol addiction recovery programs may have learned ways to meet other people at events that don’t require drinking. Plus, these facilities often include relapse prevention programs to help with maintaining a sober life after treatment. Patients who complete recovery or are still in treatment can use the tips from the program to avoid drinking during special summer events.
During the summer, anyone who wants to maintain sobriety should let their social circle know. Discussing alcohol addiction recovery is not a sign of weakness, nor is reaching out for help when coping with triggers becomes too difficult. In fact, these actions are signs of internal strength and growth.
Embrace and Enjoy Sober Living with Help from Baltimore Detox Center
The summer has many challenges for those who want to maintain sober living. However, if a relapse occurs, help is close at hand. Connect with Baltimore Detox Center with our online contact form or by calling [Direct]. We offer relapse prevention programs in our treatment facility. Plus, we have an alumni support program for aftercare help. Discover more about how we treat addiction and help people stay sober for life by contacting us at Maryland’s second freestanding detox facility, Baltimore Detox Center.
