How To Travel Sober



Going on vacation is a time-honored tradition, and for many people, that means enjoying a drink or two while they're away. But what if you don't want to drink? What if you're trying to stay sober? Don't worry – we've got you covered. In this post, we'll discuss some tips for traveling sober, so you can enjoy your vacation without worrying about alcohol.

I've traveled a lot in my life and I had picked up a few habits or rituals that I would do on every trip.

I'd make sure I'd get to the airport early, early enough to get a few drinks in. It didn't matter what time of day it was because if it was the morning I could have a bloody mary or a mimosa with breakfast. Lunch was with beers and dinner would definitely include a gin and tonic or two.

Getting on the plane and waiting for the drinks cart to come down the aisle was all part of the ritual. it couldn't come soon enough. I'd always get 2 gin and tonics, sometimes the staff gave me a look or told me I need to pay for one. Even better I thought, that means I can have a few more if I pay.

As soon as I arrived at my destination it was time to celebrate. I throw my bags in the room and did not care what it looked like as I knew I was really only gonna be sleeping there.

Time to find the bar.

That's when the drinking really got underway. Hey! I was on vacation, now anything was a reason to drink.

The days that followed were a mix of getting drunk, finding new places to get drunk, and pretending to go out to eat but the eating was always accompanied by drinks. The mornings were terrible, trying to remember the night before, the pounding headaches, nausea, and not being able to get out of bed until around noon. Then I start it all over again. Yay! Vacations are awesome.

Upon getting sober, all of that would change.

While in a recovery center during my treatment program, my counselor asked me

"what do you think the hardest thing for you to change in your life would be?"

Instantly I knew, it was Travel.

At that moment I discovered my traveling involved so much drinking and was based on rituals. I was just trying to discover new places or experiences to get drunk.

So what does travel look like for me today?

Ha! It's a lot different and so much more enjoyable. I seek out new places to explore not for drinking but for learning about the location I'm in and the culture that surrounds me. I never stay in the tourist areas anymore, instead, I look for new foods, new interactions with people, and new experiences that are meaningful and that I will actually remember.

I see what's around me now. Not just the next bar or party place.

Here are a few tips I learned for traveling sober:

-Plan ahead.

If you know you'll be tempted to drink, plan ahead and make sure you have plenty of activities and events scheduled that don't revolve around alcohol. This will help you stay busy and distracted, and it will also give you something to look forward to during your sober vacation.

-Find a sober buddy.

It can be helpful to find someone who is also sober or trying to stay sober while on vacation. This way, you can support each other and help each other stay on track. This to me is super helpful.

-Get up early.

I find that getting up early and getting out the door for an early breakfast and coffee gets me situated for the day better. I can get many things accomplished and have plenty of time to take it easy throughout the day and usually come evening time, I'm tired and ready to call it a night much earlier than I used to. Thus avoiding the temptation to stay out and drink.

-Pack your own drinks.

If you're worried about being tempted by alcohol, pack your own non-alcoholic drinks and snacks. This way, you'll always have something sober to drink when you're feeling thirsty or hungry. Less tempted to go out to get something in a restaurant. Less temptation.

-Avoid trigger locations.

If there are certain places where you know you'll be tempted to drink, try to avoid them. For example, if there's a bar near your hotel, see if there's another route you can take to get back to your room. It may be a little longer to get back but the exercise will help in the long run.

-Talk to your travel companions.

If you're traveling with family or friends, let them know that you're trying to stay sober. This way, they can support you and help keep you accountable. You don't have to be a party pooper but at least they will understand if you don't want to join in on alcoholic beverages.

With these tips in mind, you can enjoy a sober vacation – and maybe even convert some of your drinking buddies to the sober life! Cheers! (Non-alcoholic style, of course.) ;-)

Have any sober vacation tips of your own? Feel free to share them in the comments below! And if you're looking for more sober travel inspiration, be sure to check out our blog post on sober city breaks. Happy travels!