10 Sober Travel Tips for Visiting Massachusetts

Massachusetts is a lively state, home to scenic mountains, historic sites, and popular destinations like Cape Cod, Boston, and Martha’s Vineyard. But for those in recovery, traveling to Massachusetts can sometimes bring added stress when it comes to maintaining sobriety.

The good news is, there are steps you can take before your trip to help protect your sobriety while still enjoying everything Massachusetts has to offer. There are also a few emergency strategies you can lean on if cravings or urges to drink arise while you’re there.

Here are 10 of the best tips to help you stay clean and sober while visiting Massachusetts.

Get To Know The Area You’re Traveling To

Before traveling to Massachusetts, take some time to get familiar with the area where you’ll be staying.[1] Search the immediate surroundings of your hotel to see if it’s close to pubs or bars. If so, you might want to consider staying somewhere else to lessen the temptation to participate in activities that could lead to a relapse.

If you’re unsure what’s nearby or your online search isn’t bringing up much, contact the hotel directly to ask about nearby restaurants, cafés, or diners. Keep in mind that Massachusetts has a strong pub culture, so if you’re visiting an area with many bars, you might want to plan ahead by ordering room service or traveling with a companion who can help you stick to your sobriety goals.

Set Sober Intentions Before You Go

Before heading out on your much-needed vacation, it’s important to set your intentions. One of the most challenging parts of traveling is anticipating what your experience will be like in Massachusetts. Will you face temptation to drink? Will someone encourage you to go somewhere that could trigger a relapse?

Instead of worrying about these possibilities, commit to your sobriety before you leave.[1] Decide that you will stay focused on your recovery while still allowing yourself to enjoy sober fun.

Begin by visualizing your ideal trip. Picture the people you’ll spend time with, the destinations you’ll explore, and the activities you’ll enjoy. Focus on what you want to happen, not on what you want to avoid.

Locate the Nearest Sober Community

Lonely Planet suggests finding non-alcoholic bars or other sober community activities in the area. [2] These alcohol-free bars serve mocktails and zero-proof drinks with unique flavor profiles. Visiting these venues provides an opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and enjoy a good time without the risks associated with alcohol consumption.

Make Plans To Attend Sober Events

When planning your trip, choose sober activities. This could mean steering clear of clubs, hotel lobby bars, or major celebrations where drinking is a primary focus, like the Fourth of July or New Year’s Eve. Instead, fill your itinerary with engaging, health-oriented options such as ice skating, cycling, exploring museums, or taking a guided sightseeing bus tour. You can also explore relaxed indoor experiences, like catching a movie or having breakfast or lunch at an alcohol-free café.

If you’re unsure what’s happening in the area during your visit to Massachusetts, search “Time Out Massachusetts” or “Time Out [City Name]” online.[3] Time Out is the ultimate guide for fun activities, from local attractions to seasonal events, making it easier to plan a trip that supports your sobriety goals.

Know Your Sober Social Window

Before you travel, take some time to identify when you’re most tempted to drink. Is it in the afternoon or evening? Do weekends pose more of a challenge? Once you know your triggers, share this information with your friends or travel companions by explaining your “sober social window”.[4] This is the time of day when you can comfortably socialize without feeling tempted to drink. Having this boundary in place helps you plan activities and avoid situations that could put your sobriety at risk.

Many people in recovery feel pressured to stay at social events longer than they’d like, even when they’re starting to feel vulnerable. Rather than forcing yourself to stay, it’s perfectly okay to leave quietly without explanation. Your well-being should always come first.

Remember, sobriety is a journey, and as you gain more experience setting boundaries, it will become second nature, allowing you to enjoy future travels.

Plan Your Transportation Before Arriving

If you’re traveling with family or friends, you’ll want to plan multiple transportation options. It keeps you from relying on just one person to drive you around and reduces the risk of ending up in a situation that might make you want to drink.

Not everyone will understand why you want to avoid certain areas and may insist on taking you somewhere you’re uncomfortable with. So, before you travel, look online for transportation options such as Uber, public transit, or local taxi services.

Steer Clear of Areas With Known Drug Activity

Avoid areas with known drug activity when traveling. Every state and almost every major city has neighborhoods where drug use and sales are more common. These areas often have a higher concentration of people experiencing homelessness and struggling with addiction. While the signs may not be obvious at first, you can identify potential trouble spots by checking local crime statistics before your trip.

A helpful resource is the USA.gov Crime Data Explorer tool, where you can enter the city and state you will be visiting.[5] Knowing which neighborhoods to avoid reduces your chances of encountering drug-related activity, limits temptation, and helps protect your recovery while you travel.

Reach Out to a Loved One if You Feel Tempted To Drink

If you start feeling tempted to relapse, contact your sober partner or someone in your support network right away. Never feel ashamed to reach out for extra help when you need it. Taking time out can make a big difference.

Have a plan in place before you travel in case challenges arise. This could include attending a local Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, calling a trusted family member or friend, or joining an online sobriety group.[5] You can also follow sobriety-focused social media accounts to find encouragement and support in an emergency.

Be Prepared for the Airport Experience

For many people traveling sober, the first challenge comes before they even reach their destination — at the airport. Between the airport bar, the stress of long security lines, and the abundance of unhealthy food choices, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

If you know alcohol is a trigger for you, skip the airport bar altogether. Find a seat at a café or food court that doesn’t serve alcohol, and order a bottle of water right away. Keeping your hands and mind busy can help, so read a book, listen to music, or play a game on your phone until boarding time.

When you get on the plane, let the flight attendants know you’re avoiding alcohol so they won’t offer it during drink service. Stay comfortable and focused by enjoying snacks, sipping non-alcoholic drinks, and watching a movie or listening to a podcast. Planning ahead in these small ways can make the start of your trip much smoother and help you maintain your commitment to sobriety.

Plan an Exit Strategy

When in doubt, bail out. If you feel too much pressure during your vacation in Massachusetts, it’s perfectly okay to step away. You don’t owe anyone an explanation, and leaving doesn’t make you weak. Recovery is a journey, and just because you were okay yesterday doesn’t mean you have to feel okay today.

Plan an exit strategy in advance to make leaving easier if needed.

This could include:

• Calling someone you trust who can help adjust your travel plans
• Booking flexible or changeable tickets
• Finding alternative transportation, such as a train, if flights are unavailable
• Changing hotels if necessary

Having a plan gives you peace of mind and helps you maintain your sobriety, even when situations become challenging.

Reach Out To Engage Wellness Acton for Help Staying Sober

Sobriety isn’t a journey you have to take alone. In fact, studies show that lasting recovery often comes after receiving treatment in the form of psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and detox. Some people may also require medications to help manage cravings and prevent withdrawal symptoms that could cause them to relapse.

Receiving addiction treatment at a substance abuse treatment center can help you uncover the root causes of your addiction and provide tools to cope in situations where you would normally turn to alcohol or drugs.

If you’re traveling to Massachusetts and trying to remain sober, reach out to Engage Wellness Acton.

We provide services at both inpatient and outpatient levels of care, offering activities for our clients that include EMDR therapy, 12-step programs, nature therapy, and more. You can also check out our treatment guides listed by cities, including Boston, Quincy, and Medford, Massachusetts.

We look forward to helping you along your recovery journey. Call us today to learn more about how we can support you.

Frequently Asked Questions