Always take the weather with you

When planning a holiday, the following suggestions may be helpful

• Sobriety must remain our number one priority and we must continue to go to any lengths to maintain it. The demon ‘alcohol’ never takes a break and therefore follows us to our holiday destination looking for new opportunities and/or chinks in our armour by which it may re-enter our lives and take back control. If in doubt, stay at home!
• Stay grounded. Remove rose-tinted spectacles and be realistic about any hopes and fears.
• Create a structure. When planning a holiday, we need to also plan how we will continue to incorporate our recovery Programme into the holiday.
• Prior to departure we would be wise to ‘bank up’ on our spiritual fitness, and thereby commence any time away from a position of strength.
• Whilst the packing of clothes may be deemed necessary for most, packing of our ‘Tool Box’ is essential for us.
• Remember to take contact details of experienced AA members in the Fellowship. 
• Plan at least one escape route. This may be needed to re-focus and adjust one’s sail, or to create a sober space or, in the worst-case scenario, escape and return home.
• Put in boundaries for self- protection and to help establish and maintain realistic expectations of self and others.
• Plan to attend AA meetings (face-face or online) whilst on holiday. This is essential in the event of an increased state of high risk for all of us.
• Remember, at all times, acceptance of people, places and things.
• Be hyper-vigilant for any increased exposure to triggers. We may be certain that the subconscious mind is taking in every single detail, no matter how small and building a sensor-filled image for the demon to steal and potentially turn triggers into cravings.
• Practice the maintenance Steps Ten, Eleven and Twelve on a daily basis. Pay particular attention to any increase in character defects as thinking and behavioural changes may quickly result in a relapse.
• Keep it in the day and keep it simple.
• Where necessary press pause and know that as surely as the sun will return once the rain has stopped, that this too shall pass.
• Above all – Don’t pick up the First Drink!

KAREN, Isle of Wight 
Editor’s note: the above article missed the deadline for March theme ‘Holiday Tips’ but the team feel it should still be published.