Here is a recap of Travel Tips discussed in the new SOBER POP Tips Room on the Clubhouse App. As the world opens back up and traveling starts to pick up again, many of you who are in early sobriety or haven’t traveled in a long time may have some anxiety about getting back out there.
1. Often during layovers or delays, there’s the temptation of the airport bar.
There’s a widely known global code within AA where you can page a ‘Friend of Bill W.’ to your airport area to talk you down, even if you’re not in the program.
2. Be prepared and expect a triggering event. From an obnoxious neighbor to unexpected delays, often what can go wrong will go wrong. The mindset of staying sober and expecting curveballs will minimize the triggering ‘shock factor.’
3. Plan morning activities so you don’t need to be hungover. Little extra incentives like this go a long way in abstaining from temptations in evening activities.
4. Stay connected to your support system and set check-in times. Contact sponsors, support groups, friends, and family—recruit help!
5. Research the local scene and culture for non-drinking activities beforehand so you can list your must-do activities and not end up at the bar. Check out the local museums and learn something new!
6. On the flight, keep your mouth busy with hard candies or healthy snacks. Plan to drink something non-alcoholic, like water, herbal tea, or coffee.
7. Journal and remind yourself of all your reasons for not drinking and drunk travel risks, whether it’s getting tipsy flirty with the random passenger next to you, hangovers that ruin the next day and destination, or the nightmare of navigating a complex new city while wasted. Keep a solid list of reasons I’m staying sober handy for reference.
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8. Post sober plans on social media, and use your online presence to keep yourself accountable.
9. Deal with the fear of flying itself. Meditate or listen to guided meditations. Consult your guardian angels. Trust in the law of aerodynamics and physics more than just the concept of planes and air travel.
10. Hold off on travel if you need to. If you’re not ready enough in your recovery, recognize it and wait until you are. Ask yourself if it is worth the risk.
SOBER RETREATS: with Senior Travel Sober Curator Contributor Teresa Bergen is your go-to space for alcohol-free travel tips, insider guides, and honest reviews from a sober perspective. Teresa blends her passions—animals, wildlife conservation, sustainability, geography, culture, outdoor adventure, and yoga—into enriching travel stories that inspire mindful exploration. From kayaking and hiking to visiting historic cemeteries and sacred spaces, she uncovers the beauty where history, art, and spirituality meet.
Planning a sober retreat? Fill out our Sober Retreats Form or email Teresa at Teresa.Bergen@gmail.com with your retreat name, dates, cost, URL, and a horizontal, high-res image for our calendar listing. Sober Events more your style? Click HERE.
✈️ Sober Adventures Wanted!
Have you taken a trip without the booze but with all the epic vibes? Did you hike majestic trails, sip fancy mocktails poolside, or just find a quiet corner of the world where your soul could exhale? We want the juicy details (and the jaw-dropping pics)! The Sober Curator is putting together the ultimate sober travel guide—and your story could be the highlight.
Send us a postcard!
(And by that we mean… save the stamp and shoot us an email. We’re cool like that.)
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
