Warm temperatures, long days, and plenty of sunshine make summer many people’s favorite season. But this pleasant weather can also bring challenges for people in recovery, who may feel triggered by the drinking at a summer barbecue or tempted to engage in substance use at a summer party.
Don’t let these challenges stand in the way of enjoying the sunny season. By following a few key tips for staying sober in the summer, you can learn to thrive in your recovery despite the numerous summer challenges.
1. Keep Up with Recovery Work
When summer hits, the natural inclination is to take time off from the work of recovery that keeps you on the right track. But while it’s tempting to skip your responsibilities and hit the beach, neglecting your recovery for too long can lead to cravings, place you in high-risk situations for relapse, and lead to you doubting your sobriety.
The recovery journey is a process that lasts a lifetime – and continues regardless of what season it is. Ask yourself during the summer, what are the tasks that help you to stay on the right track? Common examples include:
- Meeting regularly with a therapist
- Attending support groups
- Reaching out to other people in recovery
- Maintaining a healthy exercise and nutrition routine
By staying vigilant in these tasks, you protect yourself from temptation and stress during the summer season.
2. Use Your Support System
Hopefully, you’ve built up a stable recovery support system on your road to sobriety. Having a supportive network of friends and advocates can make it much easier to face the challenges of staying sober in the summer and provide support when needed.1
Are you attending a barbecue where alcohol will be served and are worried about feeling a craving during the event? See if a friend from your support system is willing to go with you so that you have a sober companion who can help save you from temptation.
Feeling a trigger to return to substance use at a summer party? Reach out to your support system to share about your struggle and see if they’ve been in a similar situation. They may be able to provide you with actionable tips to help you stay on the path to recovery.
If you don’t have a solid support network already, consider attending an addiction support group in your area or seeing if the treatment center you attended has an alumni group. Overcoming addiction takes a village, and most people in recovery are happy to help each other in the shared challenge of staying sober in the long run.
3. Make Your Time in the Sun Count
Staying sober in the summer is about more than resisting relapse; it’s about enjoying all of the benefits of summer. If this is your first sober summer, make sure to enjoy the pleasant weather, get outside, and experience summer to its fullest.
Summer is filled with opportunities for outdoor adventures, days at the beach or pool, or simply soaking in the sun. These are great ways to enjoy your sobriety and find a means to enjoy your new life in recovery.
Examples of summer activities you could explore include:
- Surfing
- Mountain biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Paddleboarding
Especially in early recovery, finding activities you truly enjoy can go a long way toward ensuring your recovery journey is worthwhile. By learning to appreciate the fun that can be had in sobriety, people can find a way to replace the role that substance misuse took in their lives.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Reach Out for Professional Help with Staying Sober in the Summer
If you’re struggling to stay sober during the summer, don’t hesitate to reach out to professional addiction treatment services for help. Noticing that you’re facing too much for you to handle is a signal to reach out to a therapist or treatment center to provide you with actionable steps to stay on the right track.
It’s a common misunderstanding that addiction treatment centers are only equipped to help people brand-new to sobriety. This couldn’t be further from the truth; addiction treatment services can help you at every step in the recovery process, whether you’re actively using drugs or alcohol, are on your first day of sobriety, or are struggling years after achieving abstinence.
Call Wolf Creek Recovery for Help Staying Sober in the Summer Today
Wolf Creek Recovery’s rehabs in Arizona are here to help people stay on the path to recovery, no matter where you’re at in the journey. If you’re struggling during the summer, reach out to our team by calling us or filling out our confidential contact form to get professional, evidence-based addiction treatment from a truly caring team.
Sources:
[1] https://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/pdf/10.1176/appi.ps.201400047
Finding purpose in pain is what Jonathon does best. He is a strong advocate for those suffering from substance use disorders. As a person in recovery, Jonathon knows how important it is to receive empathy and compassion. He recognizes that each person comes from a different set of circumstances and deserves to be valued and respected.
With a fresh perspective and compassionate attitude, Jonathon works closely with clients to help them let go of the past and know when to take necessary risks. The recovery process is ongoing, which means people need to move forward while applying the skills learned in treatment. Jonathon is a great motivator when it comes time for this!
Jonathon also places emphasis on the family unit and how it can make or break the recovery experience. Individuals with active, supportive families have far better outcomes. Jonathon realizes that it’s impossible to move mountains overnight, but with the right support team and positive attitude, anything is possible.
