Sober vacations

[cejay]

I don't think I've ever seen this discussed but as a booze hound I always set my vacations up to have lots of drinking. All inclusives, camping, etc. Whatever I could do to set myself up where lots of drinking is acceptable. I'm sure I'm not alone on that.

I'm quite new to sobriety and am thinking that I (soon) need to get away from the stresses of daily life. I don't mind being around alcohol but I don't want to be around a lot of drunk people and instead of sitting around getting drunk I want to find activities to do.

I'm looking for ideas. What kind of vacations have you taken as a sober person? (As they are no doubt different - and any tips for vacation sobriety?)

CJ

[bigsister987]

Well if you are talking about holidays, as we say over here....

I am guessing that it is the people you are with the matter. So long as you are not going with a bunch of people who see the whole holiday as a drink fest, you should be fine. Sightseeing is something that keeps you busy and is not condusive to drinking. I love visiting historical and archeological places so I can go exploring. Obviously you would pick somewhere based on your own interests.

One year I had a really interesting holiday in the summer break at a university doing a writing course (can you tell?:o). I enjoyed it and met lots of interesting people. There was alcohol with the evening meals, but otherwise it was not much in evidence during the day.

[Apostrophe]

Hey cejay,

I think the all-inclusives and cruises are out...As you know, those are all set up for over-drinking! (Not to mention over-eating.)

I like hiking/biking/outdoor type things myself. Maybe a good time for a small-town getaway...fall colors and that kind of thing?

But remember, *we* are the ones who made everything all about drinking! City or small town, beach or mountains, there are all sorts of fun things to do if you just leave out the booze. :)

[indigoiis]

In the five years being booze-free, I have camped a lot - and I agree at first it was a challenge - what do you DO all evening? But as the time goes by and you start to replace that time with other things (horseshoes, reading by candlelight, drinking lots of water or seltzer, cooking a really fine camp dinner, night hikes...) it does get easier.

I have also chosen not to go on a few trips because I knew it would be a big rental house full of booze. Yeah, I missed out on learning to snowboard but for sanity's sake, it was just better.

I have been to three family reunions where the booze was so plentiful that I actually had to move opened bottles of wine from my place at the table in order to put my plate down. This past reunion, it got to a point where the after dinner conversation was so ridiculous and meaningless and DRUNK, that I found a quiet spot with a few of the kids and hung out and read. And mind you, not much phases me here at five years but that really got to me.

Booze is everywhere. Vacation is one of those opportunities when the AV really digs in. Set your vacation up so that the AV is locked out of your room/tent/cabin. Think of things you would do or have always wanted to do and then plan on them.

And most of all, have fun. Because sober vacations are way more fun. You just enjoy the time more when you are not half in the bag.

[Gardengirl]

I went on a hugely booze-filled vacation this summer, but there was a lot going on that didn't involve alcohol. We rented a houseboat and waterskiied, wakeboarded, kayaked. Lots of kids and swimming, and frogs to hunt, trees to climb. I didn't drink, I just read a lot of books, swam, and skiied.

Think like a kid, and play. Drinking involves a lot of sitting around and talking and feeling ill. Get out and explore instead.

[Norma]

OOOPS!! Im going on a cruise in a few weeks. Ive heard that there is a huge amount of bozing onboard.

I remember my first holiday sober and I worried myself sick about it from the minute I booked it months beforehand. I just couldnt grasp the idea that I could have fun for two weeks and not drink. There were a few sticky moments on the first one but I think the av is only going to be a big problem if you let it speak its lies and get into a debate with it. An argument with the av is getting into dangerous ground and cutting it off at the first hint of a craving is for me the easiest route. Its easier to cut it off with small practical steps like having a half dozen things that you want to do that are easy to do when cravings strike. I make a list of things that I wait to buy on holiday maybe a handbag or perfume and some treats like a massage or a facial. When the av strikes I pull one of these out of the hat and treat myself. I no longer feel as if I missing out. If a night out includes going to a pub for a few hours I make sure I eat well before I go so the av is at its quietest.

[no_mas]

Similar thread...

http://wqd.netwarriors.org/showthread.php?t=9077

[Gardengirl]

I really like this post.

I have ruined so many wonderful vacations and trips by drinking. A while back when I was sober for 10 months I ended that at DISNEYLAND! Of all places I decided to end my 10 whole wonderful months of sobriety at Disneyland . . . one of the places I love MOST.

I was so sad and disgusted with myself that I had ruined my 10 months of sobriety and my chance of being sober for an entire year that I spent the whole night crying.

I spent the rest of the vacation basically planning it around my drinks instead of focusing on my daughter like I SHOULD have been doing. Mornings were a struggle with my massive hangovers and sleepiness.

This is day 4 of my quit. This quit is for good. This is final. I have a trip planned to Disneyland in June and I have asked my husband to not drink while we are there. He said that he won't but if he does then that is not going to cause me to waiver one bit in my sobriety. I do not envy what he has at all. I am tired of taking my life for granted and poisoning it.

I got drunk at the beach last summer and let's just say that I am not proud of what I did there at all. My friend and I took our kids to the beach and instead of being responsible adults and tending to our children we stayed drunk the entire time.

Perhaps you don't have kids now but someday you may. You think you have a problem now, well wait one day when you have kids and you haven't taken care of your drinking problem. THAT is the WORST feeling in the world. It makes you feel completely and entirely worthless as a human being and a mother. I am not going to feel that way EVER AGAIN. I refuse! The whole point I am trying to make is PLEASE DON'T wait to eliminate this from your life as it will only bring misery.

I am sorry to go on and on but I think that by sharing we can all learn something. When I share things here I learn so much about myself and when I read things that other people who have a problem with drinking write I also learn things about myself.

I guess like any drug addicts, alcoholics have very similar experiences. The stories I read here echo my own. I think that this site isn't only valuable to people who know they have an issue with alcohol but would also be valuable to those who consider themselves moderate drinkers or even people who are considering drinking for the first time. I know that a lot of people can't learn just by reading or hearing about another person's mistakes but if just ONE person could then everything that is written here would all be worth it!

It is all worth it, I know because the advice and support I have gotten from here has helped me to continue my quest for sobriety! Best wishes to you, Roxegirl! Enjoy the beach! Just think about the snorkeling, the food you will be able to enjoy, the pride you will feel in yourself for NOT drinking. I am sure your friends will be astonished that you won't be drinking. Who knows maybe they will even admire you so much that they decide to follow in your steps and become sober . . .

Remember, it's ALWAYS a good day to NOT drink! Vacations are special times to be remembered not forgotten in a drunken haze.

[dsc2]

Interesting this thread popped up as I'll be heading for vacation in November and this has been on my mind.

I've blown one previous quit while on vacation for various reasons I now realize, looking back:

1.) Boredom on nights alone (I'm single and travel alone, so this has happened frequently)
2.) Wanting to try new "exotic" beers/wines/liquors
3.) Stress from culture shock, language difficulties, tropical heat/humidity, and general exhaustion

and probably more, but those are the largest ones for me.


I believe things will be different this time, however, because:

1.) Where I'm going I've been to before, so it's not some new spot where everything is totally new & stressing. I've also been learning the local language for close to 2 years, so that will help.

2.) I've got a friend down there, which will help keep the loneliness/boredom away. I've revealed to him I quit drinking months ago. He knows that I drank before (and I'm sure can put 2 + 2 together..). Bringing my new laptop will help also as I'll have high speed Internet where I am. Just give me reliable Internet and I'm good anywhere, hehe.

3.) I no longer care about trying new & "exotic" beers/liquors. Even if I did, they wouldn't be new to me in this particular destination and I've already seen they're not that good also.

4.) I actively remember feeling crummy, run-down and hungover (during holidays especially, I mean, since I drank most days). I also remember coming back & feeling.. umm.. not exactly as sharp as I would like to be (stupider :D)

5.) If I maintain this quit, when I am about halfway through my time there, it will be 6 months sober for me (and I will :) -- I'll probably write a self-congratulatory "I'm 6 month sober" post when there :))

[Lil]

Good for you!!! I am also going on vacation in a week and it is usually a VERY drunken week with my girlfriends in Mexico. I am going to start new memories on my girls trip. Good luck to you! Can't wait to hear about it!:D

[jm8]

I think doing the same things and going to the same places for vacations (minus drinking,) and being able to truly enjoy it certainly has some merit, but so does trying new things and/or places.

In addition to getting off the sauce, I also recently went through a break-up (for the better,) and am looking fwd. to a solo hiking trip to Mt. Zion in Utah. The thought of my first solo vaca in a long time (or ever,) as well as a sober vaca is very exciting. As far as the terrain I picked, just look up some google images of the place and you'll see what I mean. Could you imagine f'ing up an opportunity to hike in a place like that and snap alot of cool pics by gorging yourself on booze in one of the lodge or hotel bars?