With summer’s approach comes a sometimes different way of life. There are more family gatherings, longer daylight hours, lending more time to get out of the house, and plenty of sunshine to enjoy long days at the beach. For a person with substance use disorder (SUD), summertime can also come with more opportunities to worry about maintaining sobriety.
Can you engage in life fully this summer without feeling limited because of your SUD? You can. You just need to plan for it. Here are some tips for staying sober this summer.
Connect With Friends in No-Risk Situations
The easiest way to avoid too much pressure is to keep yourself out of high-risk situations. Going to bars is risky. Hanging out with friends who like to spend time having a few drinks isn’t the only option. Going to those high-pressure family events where they will ask too many questions about why you are not drinking is a concern.
You don’t have to isolate. Instead, find new things to do that don’t often feel like alcohol is a requirement of the experience. Here are some tips.
- Plan a day of hiking or biking. Make it a competition if that’s what gets your friends interested. Work up to a longer bike trip.
- Plan a dinner party at your home. It’s your home, and you control what’s served and what’s not available.
- Go to breakfast instead of dinner with friends. You’re less likely to face any pressure to have a drink there.
- Bring your own drinks to family events. If there’s a family reunion, bring what you want to drink instead of alcohol. Having something in your hand can make a big difference.
Most importantly, spend time with people who support your efforts. Social connections don’t have to center around the use of alcohol or drugs. The best of friends will not put you in high-risk situations.
Make This the Year You Do Something You Want to Do
Many people with SUD find themselves spending most of their time engaging in those substances. But when you’re not doing so, there’s time to do more of the things you want to do and perhaps have put off. Think about fun activities you couldn’t do before or new hobbies you’ve always wanted to try. Here are some ideas to help you get started.
- Start meditating or engaging in other holistic activities you love. Many holistic experiences can be fantastic ways for you to heal and find your real self. You’ll learn about some of them in our holistic addiction treatment center.
- Start a photography habit. If you have a decent smartphone, you already have a camera to use to give this hobby a try. Challenge yourself with different types of shots or learn more about photography in general. YouTube offers lots of how-to videos that cost nothing.
- Find ways to volunteer that matter to you. Volunteer with local community groups, kids’ sports programs, or elderly care centers. Go back and mentor others with SUD to give them the support you needed. This is one of the best ways to fight loneliness in addiction recovery. Others can benefit from your unique life experiences.
What is something that interests you that you haven’t explored yet? Make this the summer to try it out, even just one time. It can provide a new focus for your days, reducing the feeling of being left out.
Focus on Your Wellness Journey
Data shows a clear indication that those who battle SUDs are at a high risk of suffering from mental health disorders. Find ways to support your mental and physical health. This may include:
- Share your thoughts in a blog or social media channel dedicated to your wellness.
- Seek out the best possible treatment for your physical health. Focus on getting help for all of those things you’ve put off.
- Engage in a wellness app that encourages you to communicate and share your thoughts and concerns through journaling, reading, or connecting with others who get it.
Each of these, and many other tools, gives you the opportunity to restore your well-being one day at a time. The more you focus on your health and healing, the less time there is to worry about what you are missing out on. But, most importantly, it allows you to keep track of how you feel so you know when to get help.
Know When You Need More Help and How to Get It
In situations where the pressures build or your mental health starts to suffer, be ready to seek out additional help and support. At The Ranch at Dove Tree, we are available to provide you with immediate help if you are at risk for relapse. We also welcome you into our mentorship programs and provide a wide range of resources for those who need immediate help.
Contact us now when you need support with your SUD treatment. Our alcohol addiction treatment center in Lubbock is always a phone call away.
