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.