Destin FL Concerts in the Village: Managing Addiction Triggers During Fall Celebrations

Destin, Florida is an absolutely beautiful place to be this time of year. Between the incredible weather and picturesque beaches, you’d be hard pressed to ask for more. With the fall season coming up, there will be some fun celebrations to behold. Over at The Village of Baytowne Wharf, there will be some great concerts starting September 13th. The concerts offer folks the opportunity to listen to some music while partaking in the local restaurants and food trucks. While this all sounds idyllic for those looking to have a good time, it can be a bit tough for those working to maintain their sobriety while also visiting with family and friends. Read on for some tips on managing addiction triggers during fall celebrations.

The Village of Baytowne Wharf

With its assortment of outdoor activities, boutiques, restaurants, and nightlight, The Village of Baytowne Wharf is a fun place to hang out with friends and family. The Village is located along the shores of the Choctawhatchee Bay and will play host to many outdoor concerts. This means there will be some alcohol sold in the area. Depending on your triggers, this may mean that the Bay is an area to avoid all together. If alcohol is not a specific trigger for you (but you are still working to maintain your sobriety), you may still have to be vigilant about about people bringing in additional substances from the outside. If attending any of these events, you will need to be aware of how you’re feeling at any given time.

How to Spot Your Triggers

A trigger is something that causes you to remember an event or trauma. Spotting these triggers is essential to staying sober. If you are struggling with substance abuse and see something that causes you to think about using, you may feel that triggers effect either physically or psychologically. In the case of something that triggers you physically, you may feel your stomach get tight or a tingling sensation in your body. In the case of something that triggers you psychologically, you may remember past experiences with substances, cravings, bartering, or a kind of rose colored view of past experiences.

Managing Addiction Triggers

Living your life is key to anyone working to stay sober. While it’s good to avoid triggers all together, it’s also good to enjoy your life as much as possible. If you have a particular set of memories from a location, it’s best to avoid it. You should also do your best to make sure you’re not hanging around any persons from back when you were using. If you’re feeling uncomfortable watching others use certain substances, remove yourself from the situation. Additionally, if you’re feeling the stress of trying to enjoy yourself, then it’s best to play it safe and go to a more comfortable location. Always remember to know your limits and to not push it.

Practicing Self-Care

Lastly, when gearing up for any fun outdoor activity, practice self-care. This means take care of yourself with rest and exercise. Yoga will help you practice and maintain your breathing skills. A massage can you help you relax when you know you’ll be in a stressful situation later. Meditation can help you center yourself before joining a large group of people. Mileage may vary depending on the user, but these are some helpful tips on how to maintain your wellbeing.

Blu By the Sea

If you or someone you know is looking for Destin rehab, contact the team at Blu By the Sea. Our team of experts can help you maintain your sobriety and manage your triggers while enjoying the fall celebrations.

Labor Day Concert Celebrations Present Relapse Risks for Those in Addiction Recovery

For those on the long road to recovery, it’s important to remember the simple pleasures we take in life. Whether it be spending time with loved ones, going to a movie, or taking a trip to the beach, it’s great to remember how precious (and fun) our lives can be. However, certain activities can be triggers for relapse. These situations can either slow down your recovery or halt it all together. With Labor Day approaching, there are a number of fun and exciting events coming up. While these Labor Day events are a great way to connect with family and friends, it’s important to remember that these are also situations where drugs and alcohol may be present. Have fun on Labor Day, but remember that the road to recovery is long and will be even longer in the event of a relapse.

Events as Triggers

Attending celebratory events with family and friends may expose you to some triggers to your past addictions. A trigger is any time an interaction or moment causes someone to use again. There are an infinite number of triggers, the three main categories being emotional, environmental, and exposure. Common triggers include:

• Exposure to substances
• Peer pressure
• Wanting to heighten positive feelings
• Wanting to lessen negative feelings
• Other substances (separate from the substance that was abused)

Labor Day Events in Destin, FL

Here are some of the events taking place during Labor Day weekend in Destin, FL. These will be fun-filled events to be sure. However, it is important to be aware of or avoid certain triggering situations.

Labor Day Celebration at Emerald Grande

• A weekend long concert event taking place at HarborWalk Village with fireworks on Sunday. HarborWalk Village has a number of fun things to do from live music, shopping, paddle boarding, and more. There will be alcohol, and it’s possible there will be some illegal drug use. This is a free event to the public, so there will be a high number of people in attendance.

Cookouts with Family and Friends

• There aren’t too many situations in life that are better than a cookout with family and friends. They’re a great way to connect with the loved ones in your life, while spending time outside and eating some tasty grub. However, it’s possible someone in your family and friend circle is a trigger. These stresses can make it difficult to remain sober. In addition, these situations may also have alcohol and other illicit substances. Be sure to know when it’s time to step away for your own health.

Avoiding Relapse

Know your limits. Try to enjoy yourself, but understand that you’ve spent a lot of time learning how to cope with certain situations. That includes knowing when to ask for help, when to say no, and how to get out of a bad scene. Here are some tips to avoiding relapse:

• Stay away from substances
• Be aware of your triggers
• Use friends, family, and sponsors to help avoid certain situations
• Stay healthy

Blu By the Sea

If you’re in the Destin, FL area and you or someone you know is struggling with sobriety, contact the team at Blu By the Sea. Whether you’ve relapsed or worried a friend may relapse, their facilities and team of professionals are here to help.

Annual Wharf Beer Festival & Craft Beer Alcoholism

The annual Baytowne Wharf Beer Festival is held annually in Destin, Florida during October. The event features Florida breweries such as Destin Brewery, Gulf Coast Brewery and Props Brewery, among others. Thousands of craft beer fans attend each year to get a taste of local brews. Although craft beer festivals are a great way to celebrate the coming of age and sophistication of beer in American culture, they’re also a breeding ground for unchecked drinking. Let’s look at how craft beer culture may be contributing to the epidemic of alcoholism in today’s generation.

The Craft Beer Movement

America’s beer tastes have historically leaned towards the lighter side, with lagers leading the way for the last two centuries. This trend begat American staples like Pabst Blue Ribbon and Budweiser, which still hold a market majority today. However, the craft beer movement has gained ground rapidly the last decade, with sales growing by over 20% in 2014 to just under $20 billion. The American palate is changing, especially among younger generations, as they seek out unique, high-quality craft trends. However, as the craft brew industry grows, the ABV (alcohol by volume) is growing along with it.

Reports by consumer research groups say that beers released with more than 6.5% ABV increased by 319% from 2011 to 2014. The average lager beer maintains an ABV of about 4%, but most craft beers average 5.9% ABV. The heavyweights, with ABV’s over 8%, also saw an upswing. More breweries are releasing high-alcohol beers to catch a piece of the pie. Consumers pay a premium for high-alcohol beers, often as much for a 750-mL bottle as a regular six-pack of craft beer.

Most brewers expect patrons to be responsible consumers of their beers, realizing that craft brews generally pack a weighty punch ounce for ounce. If consumers are buying a 750-mL bottle to split with a friend over dinner (like a bottle of wine) or to bring as a gift to a party, the high-alcohol content is less relevant. However, craft breweries report that many patrons consume these high-ABV beers just as fluidly as regular beers. Unfortunately, the no-neck party ethos has been carried on among the craft brew scene, especially at festivals.  Craft brew festivals contribute to the problem as patrons weigh the cost of their tickets against how many beers they find themselves standing in line for. Many seek out the highest ABV beers to get the most bang for their buck, often with consequences.

Hangovers Suck

Craft brewers are aware of the relationship between their brews and the uptick in sophisticated alcoholism among craft consumers. Consequently, brewers are pushing for change in the way patrons view and consume their beverages. Higher-alcohols give brewers flexibility and help add nuance to beers, which low-alcohol beers do not. Craft brewers have started a new social media movement termed, “hangovers suck,” to bring awareness to the epidemic of alcoholism, especially as it takes effect among craft brew consumers. They are encouraging consumers to drink slowly and responsibly by appreciating and contemplating each beer’s flavor—by spending time with it.

If you are planning on attending the Annual Wharf Beer Festival, invariably you will have a chance to try a few high-ABV brews. Gulf Coast Brewery showcases their MindBender Double IPA at 9% ABV as well as their Barrel-Aged Baltic Porter, which comes in at a whopping 12% ABV. Whatever your beverage choice, consume responsibly, knowing that craft beers are meant to be enjoyed and evaluated over time. For more information on alcoholism or alcohol addiction treatment, contact Blu By the Sea, a Destin rehab facility.

Rock the Docks in Destin, Florida: Music Festival Drug Use, Abuse and How to Stay Safe

Rock the Docks Concert Series in Destin, Florida takes places in HarborWalk Village every Saturday night throughout the summer. As a live music venue, locals and tourists alike are attracted to this unique and exciting event. Live music festivals are a great way for people to celebrate their favorite musicians. However, many of these music events are about much more than music. Music festivals have long been a popular venue for drug and alcohol abuse as well and continue to draw participants who are looking to party.

If you are planning on attending Rocks the Docks or other music venues this summer, it is important to know the various risks associated with concert drug and alcohol abuse. Festival drugs, such as MDMA and LSD, are increasingly a part of the festival experience for many people. These drugs come with considerable risks, especially when combined with alcohol. Let’s look at the potential dangers of concert drug abuse and how to stay safe. 

Common Festival Drugs
Music festivals are a great place for dancing, lights and music. However, some attendees use drugs to intensify the experience or to experiment while others just want to keep partying long after normal energy levels wear off. Some of the most commonly abused drugs at music festivals include:

- Alcohol - Lowers inhibitions and keeps people relaxed; at a music festival, alcohol may help people feel more comfortable socializing; although risks are often minimized because alcohol is not legal, high alcohol quantities can have serious consequences;
- Marijuana - Causes feelings of relaxation and euphoria; associated with memory problems, altered sense of time and difficulty problem solving; when combined with other drugs and/or alcohol, it can cause users to develop hallucinations or delusions;
- MDMA/Molly/Ecstasy - MDMA is a synthetic drug that increases energy, sensory perception and emotional balance and distorts a user’s sense of time; ecstasy is popular at festivals because of it increases a sense of connectivity to those around you; MDMA is often pressed with adulterants like ketamine, cocaine, bath salts or amphetamines, making it especially dangerous for users who may have a bad reaction;
- Cocaine/Crack - Cocaine and crack cocaine are stimulants which give users extreme bouts of energy, hypersensitivity to sensory inputs and occasional paranoia; energetic effects at festivals contribute to hours of dancing, although the crash effects of stimulants can cause users to binge or re-dose to avoid coming down with dangerous effects.

Other common drugs abused at music festivals include opioids, LSD, mushrooms, Adderall and various hallucinogens. Each of these drugs presents their own dangers, but often concert goers will ingest multiple drugs at once, increasing the individual effects of each. Emergency services reported a doubling in incidents involving MDMA and LSD along with other festival drugs at concerts in the last decade. Many of the dangerous consequences have to do with conditions at festivals. Drugs and alcohol may seem like a great way to keep energy up, but when combined with high heat and dehydration, they can be a recipe for disaster. 

Stay Safe at Rock the Docks

If you’re planning on attending Rock the Docks, know that there are many ways to stay safe. Stay hydrated and avoid taking drugs or drinking excessively, if possible. Surround yourself with people who plan to enjoy celebrations responsibly and who can look out for you. Educate yourself on the signs and symptoms of health issues related to drugs, dehydration and overheating. Do not be afraid to reach out for a support system either. Contact Blu By the Sea, a Destin rehab facility, to learn more about how you can stay safe and sober this summer.