Summer is arguably the best season. It’s filled with tons of things to do, and it also involves longer days, catching up with friends, time off work and a slew of holidays to celebrate. However, summer is also synonymous with kicking back, relaxing and drinking. People love to drink at music festivals, lake houses, barbecues, graduation parties and more.
As a person who just completed alcohol rehab in Arizona, you might have concerns over how to spend the summer. You want to have some fun, but you also need to protect your recovery. The key to preserving your recovery is knowing your triggers and staying away from them.
Here are some of the most common summer relapse triggers to be aware of, as well as tips for dealing with them.
1. Summer Parties and Cookouts
From graduations to birthdays to summer holidays, there are plenty of parties and cookouts held over the summer. And many of these parties involve alcohol. Being in this type of environment is not good for your recovery, as you may feel pressured to drink.
Certainly, you don’t need to be at every party, so choose to attend those where alcohol won’t be the focus. Also bring along a sober friend to support you, and drive yourself so that you can leave when you want. It’s also helpful to have something fun and nonalcoholic to drink, such as a mocktail or soda water.
2. Traveling and Water
Many people like to spend their summers at beaches, lakes and rivers. While the water offers plenty of mental health benefits, it can also be a motivator to open a cold beer. To protect your recovery, avoid going to places where everyone will be drinking. Instead, learn to enjoy the water in the ways it was intended for.
For example, you can invite the friends you met in Arizona alcohol rehab to go river rafting, parasailing or snorkeling. You can also go fishing or host a yoga session alongside a relaxing lake. Don’t forget grilling, bonfires, hiking and meditation – these are all healthy activities that you can enjoy along the water.
3. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)
While you should be mindful of the events you choose to attend, it’s not uncommon to deal with some FOMO. Maybe you’ve attended a certain party every year, and you don’t want to miss out now. Or perhaps a friend is home for college and you feel the need to spend time with them.
However, FOMO can put you in uncomfortable situations where you feel pressured to drink. While there will be some events you’ll have to skip, try to replace them with healthier activities. This way, you won’t be sitting at home by yourself – you’ll be out there creating new memories with new people!
4. Boredom
People tend to work less in the summer. It’s great to have time off to relax, but it can also leave you feeling bored. While boredom may not be a big deal to someone else, it’s one of the top triggers for people who just finished alcohol rehab in AZ.
Make sure that you have a healthy schedule to follow during the summer. Wake up and go to bed at the same time every day. Make time for daily exercise, even if it’s just a few 10-minute walks through your neighborhood. If you find that there’s chunks of time that are not accounted for, consider volunteering or helping others in the community.
Need Extra Support? Contact Our Alcohol Rehab Centers in Arizona.
Wolf Creek Recovery is open during the summer – and we can support your recovery! Contact our team today to learn more about our different tracks of care, including our Extended Care program. We understand that summer can be a difficult time to stay sober, but returning to drugs or alcohol is not the answer. With the right support, you can stay sober and enjoy your summer!
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.
