Summer can be a difficult time to stay sober. While the holiday season gets a lot of buzz, it can be even more challenging to stick to your routine and avoid substance use in the summer. After all, this season is known for music festivals, pool parties, vacationing, graduations, barbecues, bonfires and more. If you attend these events, you’re likely to come into contact with alcohol and possibly even illicit drugs.
By being proactive, you can prepare yourself for the challenges you may face, review your triggers and ensure that you have healthy coping strategies in place.
Why is Summer a Difficult Time to Stay Sober?
Many people find that staying sober is a true challenge during the summer months. Even though it doesn’t have the same stress as the holidays, there are still many things that are unique to this time of year, such as people returning home from college and an increase in social gatherings. People tend to have time off in the summer, leading to a more relaxed vibe in general that is conducive to substance use.
Even if you’ve worked hard to build a strong support system and find healthy activities to enjoy, you may still be faced with temptation. Whether it’s the ads and commercials for summertime drinking or the friends and acquaintances you see on social media, it’s easy to feel like you’re missing out by living a sober life. Plus, the sights and smells of summer can be powerful triggers, bringing you back to the days when you were using drugs or alcohol.
Allow yourself to feel whatever comes to you—disappointment, resentment, worry. Write in a journal, talk to your therapist or share your feelings with friends, family and those in your peer support groups. Giving yourself this grace lets you identify your emotions, work through them and develop healthy ways to cope.
Tips for a Healthy, Sober Summer
Now, let’s cover some of the best ways to maintain recovery in the summer.
Talk Openly with Friends and Family
Let your friends and family know that summer is a difficult time for you. Being open and honest sets you up for success, as the right people will be checking in on you and making sure that you are okay. Assign a few of your most trusted friends or family to be “on call” in case you need them. If you feel that your loved ones are busy doing their own thing and you need more encouragement, turn to your support groups. 12-step meetings, for instance, are a great way to meet people in recovery and share your experiences.
Practice Saying “No”
There is nothing wrong with getting out of the house and attending some events. Choose your activities wisely and have a few key phrases in the back of your head for declining drugs or alcohol. It’s possible that someone may offer you a hit off their vape or a can of beer, and you’ll need ways to decline the offer.
Of course, if you pick the right people to hang out with, this will be less likely to happen. But you can’t always control who shows up, and it’s possible that your extended friends might not know you’re in recovery. So, before heading out, practice saying a few of these lines in front of your mirror.
Explore Healthy Activities
As time goes on, you’ll learn to associate summer with more than drinking and partying. But in order to get here, you need to find new ways to enjoy the summer. Here in Agoura Hills, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy. The beach is about 20 minutes away, and there are plenty of parks and nature trails for biking, hiking and camping.
Check out your local area and make a bucket list of things to do over the summer. Some ideas include:
- Hiking, biking, running or walking
- Horseback riding
- Exploring waterfalls
- Visiting museums
- Treating yourself to ice cream
- Buying fresh produce from local farmer’s markets
- Reading by the swimming pool
- Relaxing at the beach
- Camping at a local campground
Find a Long-Term Project
Another way to embrace a sober summer is by choosing a long-term project. This could be anything—tending a garden, painting the outside of your home, building a deck or starting a workout regimen. This will give you a positive and healthy activity to look forward to over the summer.
When you’re new to recovery, it can feel like you have to give up everything and miss out on life. But if your mind is focused on meeting goals that matter to you and tackling one large project, it will help the summer move along faster. Take note of your progress and reward yourself for meeting your milestones.
Start Your Recovery in Agoura Hills, CA
Summer is a great time to start your recovery, as it generally comes with more down time and a wider selection of activities to fill your time. Whether you are looking to start a recovery program or support your existing recovery, Awakenings Treatment Center has a program for you! Contact our admissions team to learn more about how we can help you have a sober and memorable summer!
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