Originally Posted by Stayingsassy

Certain activities are more triggering than others. A trip is going to have multiple associations for you that will make you feel let down in early sobriety and cause resentment.

Change the narrative. I mean, golf? Guys I know who golf basically go drinking, and just happen to be golfing. The dinners, the vacation itself, all of it might be too much.

It took over a year to even face things that might be too close to drinking. I chose other things.

One thing that’s hard to do as a drunk is be active. Can you get fitter in the gym? That opens up hiking, spartan races, running, climbing, etc. there aren’t many drunks doing these kinds of things. It’s pleasant to have a healthy body and a clear mind for all sorts of things that are active, natural and fun.

I planned a Hawaii vacation this year and because sobriety is always at the forefront of my mind, I literally chose an island based on doing something other than drinking on the beach (big sassy trigger.). I chose the big island due to the rain, the hikes, the rainforest, the activities.....I don’t want to go see a bunch of people getting hammered on the beach so I shifted the entire vacation.

This goes back to sobriety first. If you’re going to recreate like you always did, your addiction will push you toward the lifestyle that you always had.

I may even skip a family reunion next July in New Orleans. Why? New Orleans triggers me. I’d say a third of its appeal was drinking. If I’m working my life with total honesty and sobriety first, I have to deeply consider these things.

Don’t go just half assed with plans anymore. Your plans matter. What you do in your down time really matters now, I’d even say it’s probably a life or death direction. Make your choices about recreation very carefully.