When going on vacation, people plan on relaxing and having fun. For those in recovery from substance use disorders, additional planning needs to take place to reduce their vulnerability to relapse. If you need additional resources, the services offered at Gibson Center for Behavioral Change can offer valuable support before, during, and after your trip. Whether it’s related to ongoing substance use treatment or finding community, we’re available to help you reclaim your best life—even while traveling.

What Happens When You Stop Drinking Alcohol: A Guide to Dry January and Beyond

The right treatment often includes a Sober living home mix of therapy, medication, and compassionate care—tailored just for you. Genetics can play a part, but they don’t decide your future. Mental health is shaped by many factors, and healing is always possible. Use our quick & easy insurance verification to find out if you’re covered for our centers. Join our secure virtual IOP and outpatient programs to get flexible care from home while balancing work, school, and/or family.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many vacations have been put on hold, but you may still feel a need to safely get away for a few days. When successfully navigating travel while in recovery, be sure to celebrate each victory. Whether it’s attending a local recovery meeting, declining a drink at dinner, or simply enjoying a peaceful day by the ocean, these milestones are worth acknowledging. Each moment reinforces your ability to lead a healthy, sober life. I have also traveled with a group of sober people, which is amazing.

Sober Vacation Ideas

• When choosing a destination for your sober vacation, focus on locations that offer plenty of activities and events that align with a substance-free lifestyle.
• That’s why our programs are founded and staffed by people in recovery – people who truly understand.
• We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible.
• Having adventures in sobriety is important and we strive to provide the opportunity for everyone to connect and network with like-minded people around the world.
• However, it does help to have some structure in place when you are determined to stay sober.

Sober travel companions can also assist with the practical aspects of traveling. They can help individuals navigate new environments, plan transportation, and make logistical arrangements. By taking care of these details, they alleviate stress and allow individuals to focus on their recovery without the added burden of managing travel logistics. This support ensures a smoother and more enjoyable travel experience.

Therefore, the city of Amsterdam has put serious effort into protecting our community. Sober vacations definitely look different than drinking vacations, and that’s okay. If you’re used to measuring the success of your vacation by how many drinks you have, it may take some time to adjust. In early sobriety, it was really important for me to stick to my morning rituals and alcohol-free nighttime routines, even on vacation. I like to wake up early and spend some time alone drinking coffee, journaling, and doing some yoga stretches or meditation. You can be held accountable by others that way because they can call when you should be back from an activity or talk to you about the things you did each day.

A sober travel buddy or supportive loved one can help you feel more at ease in social settings. With 180 nationalities it’s the most diverse city in the World. The diversity is also related to the strong and vivid LGBTQIA+ community, which belongs to Amsterdam and strengthens its atmosphere of tolerance and creativity. It was in 2001 that the world’s first same-sex marriage was conducted by their former mayor. There is pride in this fact and in 2026, Amsterdam will celebrate 25 years of marriage equality. Nowadays, tolerance for and freedom of the LGBTQIA+ community is not widespread.

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Try to keep to a sleep routine you know will work for you. Review your activities, transportation, and menus for the next day the night before. You don’t have to do everything your traveling group does. You may also want to research the local cuisine and specialties. Pick out restaurants that have appealing non-alcoholic beverages.

• By consciously incorporating sobriety-focused activities into your itinerary, you can stay connected to your goals and create meaningful memories.
• Join our secure virtual IOP and outpatient programs to get flexible care from home while balancing work, school, and/or family.
• This cognitive load combined with travel logistics stress and anxiety can lead to what experts call post-vacation depression.
• Summer is the perfect time to focus on your recovery journey, offering countless opportunities to make new friends, try new activities, and plan for the future.
• It is impossible to avoid all relapse triggers, but mindfully choosing a non-alcohol-centric location for your sober vacation is good practice to support your sobriety.
• Remember that each vacation you are sober is an opportunity to relax, have fun, and create long-lasting, guilt-free, positive memories for yourself and the people you care about.
• Online support groups have become increasingly popular, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Be sure to also check reviews and testimonials from others in the recovery community to ensure the destination is recovery-friendly. This past week I embraced my first vacation in recovery and it was filled with blessings on top of blessings. When I first arrived at the beach, I greeted it by saying, “Hello Jersey Shore! Let me introduce you to The Monkey who I’m sure you remember.

Explore its benefits, how virtual therapy works, and what to expect from your sessions. Prioritizing emotional support and giving yourself a reasonable recovery timeline can help you with the transition after returning from a trip. It’s essential to be patient, recognize when additional help is needed, and focus on energizing yourself through positive connections and self-care. Preparing thoughtfully and balancing activities with rest during your vacation can reduce post-vacation fatigue and help you return to your daily life feeling rejuvenated. On the other hand, some people aren’t the right travel companions for me, and that’s okay!

• Just try to remember to breathe, take these surprises with a calm and positive attitude, and remember to bring your earplugs, pillow, and eye mask.
• But if you’re in recovery from addiction, travel can also bring unique challenges.
• Once your dreamy sober vacation is planned, here are my tips for sober success.
• Continually acknowledging the strides you are making is a great way to reinforce better habits.

Fellow-Ship Vacations

The following steps can help you plan a vacation that supports your mental wellness and/or addiction recovery. By planning ahead and staying mindful, you can ensure that your travels align with your recovery goals. Traveling while in recovery requires a thoughtful approach. New environments, unstructured schedules, and social events can sometimes trigger stress or cravings. But travel also provides opportunities for personal growth, strengthening your sobriety, and creating sober memories.

When you pinpoint the perfect location for your sober vacation, do some research on the local attractions to schedule some activities! On the other hand, make sure you don’t plan so many activities that you feel stressed or rushed. These ideas are tried and tested by a great many sober travelers.

During Your Travel

Pack intentionally—not just your clothes and essentials, but the tools that keep you grounded. Load your phone with recovery podcasts, calming playlists, and audiobooks that reinforce your values. Bring a journal, recovery literature, or a token from your support group. Use apps like Meeting Guide or In the Rooms to find in-person or virtual meetings wherever you are.

Wellness retreats in particular focus on rejuvenation through spa treatments, meditation, and yoga, all forms of self-care that are essential to keep practicing while on the road to recovery. If you’re newly sober, it’s not the time to vacation with people who still drink heavily or don’t understand your boundaries. Choose travel companions who uplift you, respect your decisions, and are willing to adjust plans if needed.