Summertime is practically synonymous with relaxation.
For kids, there is an extended break from school. For many folks, there is the promise of a vacation. More light in the evening and lovely weather make a whole host of restful and enjoyable activities possible. Heck, some companies even shorten their hours over the summer as a perk for their employees. It is a time when most everything can feel just a little bit more relaxed.
But if you are a person in recovery from a substance use disorder, there is one aspect of your life that you simply cannot relax: your commitment to your ongoing sobriety.
Staying sober in the summer can be something of a challenge because so many summer activities feature alcohol. From an afternoon at the beach to a backyard barbeque to a night at the ballpark, there is often plenty of alcohol on offer. And it can seem as though none of these activities—or others like them—are quite right or quite as enjoyable as they should be unless you do a little drinking yourself.
That, of course, is entirely the wrong move. It is far better to figure out how you are going to enjoy the summer soberly than to try to respond to each temptation or situation as it arises. Two strategies you might employ: alternatives and avoidance.
Let’s take a look at each one.
Make Sure You are Ready with Alternatives
One of the key ways to protect your sobriety in the summer is to always be ready with alternatives to consuming alcohol.
For example, if you are headed to a cookout, take your own beverages so that you are less likely to be tempted by whatever might be on offer. If you are on your way to a ballgame or a concert, decide in advance what you might drink while you are there rather than going to the concession stand without a plan. If you are inviting folks to your place, let everyone know that your party won’t include alcohol—but that you will have plenty of other options on hand.
Sometimes Avoidance is the Best Option
Many times, a commitment to alternatives to alcohol means you can enjoy summertime activities with friends and family. But there may be times when avoidance is a better option.
For example, maybe there is an annual party around one of the summer holidays that is traditionally an alcohol-soaked celebration. Perhaps you yourself have been drunk at said party many times over the years. Once you have done the hard work of regaining your sobriety, it is not worth endangering it by spending time in a situation where you know you will be sorely tempted.
Or maybe you have a fishing buddy who is far more interested in drinking than catching fish. It may be better to avoid a day on the lake with this friend. That advice applies to any situation that is, in reality, primarily focused on drinking rather than on the activity in question.
When you practice avoidance, it can feel like you are turning your back on fun, friends, and family. Reframe it in your mind to remind yourself that what you are really turning your back on is the danger of relapse.
The One-Two Punch of Avoidance and Alternatives
It can be helpful to remember that when you avoid one activity, you always have an option to choose an alternative activity. Keeping this in mind can help you stave off loneliness or a sense of missing out on all the fun—feelings that can pose a danger to your sobriety.
Employing avoidance and alternatives together can help ensure that you have an enjoyable and sober summer.
We Can Help—No Matter the Season
At Bel Aire Recovery Center in Kansas, our ability to help individuals overcome substance use disorders is not limited to any particular season. In fact, our belief is that the right time to get help for a substance use disorder is always right now—no matter the time of year.
We offer personalized care, treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders (like anxiety, depression, or disorders caused by traumatic experiences), and a continuum of care that allows you to start your recovery journey with the assurance that ongoing support is available to you.
When you are ready to make a change, we are ready to help you get and stay sober.