Summertime is famous for beach vacations, music festivals, relaxation, pool parties, and fun in the sun. But, for those who have and are currently battling addiction, recovery in summer can be challenging. This is because summertime recreation is often centered around drinking culture, meaning temptation is high, and relapses are common. But addiction recovery in summer is possible with the right kind of help. If you or someone you care about worried about the addiction recovery process during the warmer months, reach out to Midwest Recovery online or call us at 833.627.0039 today to learn how our team of professionals can help ensure you enjoy all of the good aspects of summer without hindering your recovery.
Addiction Recovery and the Seasons
We associate with summer the hunkered-down isolation of wintertime from the warm fun in the sun. The seasons can have a dramatic effect on addiction recovery. One part of a successful addiction recovery process can be to plan for coping with the emotional and physical changes brought on by the different seasons. For example, to avoid relapse in winter and to keep your physical and mental health strong, you may look to:
- Find new and exciting ways to exercise indoors
- Seek out social infrastructure and community at the library
- Plan on picking up a new indoor hobby like baking or doing puzzles
- Do charity work
While the strategy in the colder months is to keep up your safe socializing and keep away the loneliness, summertime presents a different set of challenges.
Addiction Recovery in The Summer
Chances are, you will not be the social butterfly you once were during your addiction recovery process. But that does not mean you need to shut yourself off from the world during the warm months full of BBQ parties and trips to the beach.
Because alcohol and drugs can often play a starring role in many summertime activities, you will want to focus on more positive things to do alone and with an understanding and supportive circle of close friends and family. A good mix of activities and people will help you make choices that will protect you and your sobriety. Here are ways to have a memorable summer still while recovering from addiction.
Know your yourself
You know yourself better than anyone else, which means you know the types of activities, situations, and crowds to avoid while managing a successful addiction recovery process in your life. It is best to cut these things and people out completely to move forward happy and healthy into summer and beyond.
Find a long-term project
It’s said the idle hands are the devil’s plaything, so one way to aid your addiction recovery in summer is to find a long-term project. Maybe you will learn a new skill, take a class, start a workout regimen with a specific goal in mind to reach by Labor Day, or do regular volunteer work. Doing positive and sober things with your time over the course of the entire summer will help your recovery by giving you serotonin from being productive and learning new things.
Get by with a little help from your (sober) friends
It takes a village to beat addiction. First, you will have your doctors, therapists, and staff at Midwest Recovery, people who personally know the struggle and want you to succeed. Next, you will put together a group of supportive friends and family. This is your sober crew for the summer and beyond, people with whom you will meet up for coffee, head to the beach with nothing but flavored waters in the cooler, and enjoy traditional summertime fun without worrying about relapsing because you are surrounded by people who love you. Plus, you’ve learned essential coping skills for every situation at Midwest Recovery Center.
Get a summer job
Keeping busy during the summer will help with your addiction recovery process. As a bonus, you’ll be able to save extra money to take a sober vacation with your best and closest friends. Keep in mind that some summer jobs will put you closer to temptation (like one on the Boardwalk at the beach, for example), so be mindful of the extra work you take on this summer.
Take a dry summer vacation
You’ve built your tight-knit network of supportive and understanding friends and pocketed a few extra dollars working a part-time job. Now it is time to unwind on a sober and dry vacation. There are actually travel companies in the business of helping people in recovery plan amazing and sober vacations. These trips are designed to limit exposure to alcohol and drugs and help people avoid relapse. An extra benefit of these kinds of experiences is meeting new people in the addiction recovery process. They will know your journey and be with you as you see the world together. Additionally, take a sober friend for a camping and hiking trip, to explore a new city, or a tour of national parks, anything that delivers low stress, no-trigger summer vacation experience.
It will take planning and forethought, but addiction recovery in the summer is possible. Should you need a dedicated, skilled, and professional team to support and aid in your recovery, know that Midwest Recovery Center is always there.
Learn More at Midwest Recovery
If you or someone you love needs help with alcohol addiction, reach out to us using our secure online form or call us at 833.627.0039 today.
