Enjoying Hispanic Fest in Destin: Safety Tips and Avoiding Triggers

Hispanic Fest is a great local event held in Destin in September at the Emerald Coast Convention Center.  Hispanic Fest celebrates Hispanic food, music, dancing, and artwork. Proceeds from the event benefit the Emerald Coast Christmas Miracle Needy Children’s Fiesta.  While this is a fun event for a great cause, it can pose a challenge for people in recovery from alcohol and addiction. But that does not mean people in recovery need to avoid Hispanic Fest or other celebrations all together.  Part of recovery is learning how to enjoy an active social life that does not include drugs and alcohol. Be proactive about acting safely and avoiding triggers, and enjoy a sober Hispanic Fest!

Recovery From Substance Abuse

In-patient rehab is a critical component of recovery.  If you are attending a Destin rehab, you probably feel safe inside the bubble of recovery--and that is a good thing!  During the early stages of recovery it is important to surround yourself with support and remove yourself from temptation.  In-patient rehab provides support during physical detox and recovery afterward. Therapy, such as group therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, can help addicts learn from others in recovery and retrain their brain circuitry to new, healthier behaviors.  In-patient rehab gives the patient a respite from the stress of daily life and a chance to physically recover through exercise and diet, while providing emotional healing through therapy. But eventually that recovery must extend to life outside of rehab, so it is important to plan ahead in order to avoid relapse.

What Triggers a Relapse?

Triggers are emotional or physical cues that tell the addict to relapse into substance abuse.  Many factors can trigger a relapse, and the social setting of Hispanic Fest can include many triggers.  The stress of leaving rehab for a day might be a trigger. Seeing old friends and family or being out in a festival setting where many people are drinking might be triggers.  Even the smell of beer might be a trigger. Recognizing potential triggers can help you plan in advance how to maintain your sobriety. Signs of a trigger include:

• Feeling nervous 
• Thinking about how good it would feel to use again
• Thinking back to when you used to use
• Planning how you could obtain drugs or alcohol
• Feeling like you need to use

Strategies for Staying Sober

If you are at Hispanic Fest and recognize any of these symptoms in yourself, recognize what is triggering you to relapse.  Then employ strategies to avoid relapse:

• Distract yourself: There are so many sober events at Hispanic Fest!  If you feel the urge to use, walk around the festival until you find something else to do.  Watch a dance performance, try some Hispanic food, or just walk around soaking up the culture.
• Talk It Out: Whether you are at Hispanic Fest with old friends or fellow patients in rehab, tell someone you are struggling and ask for support.
• Challenge Your Thoughts: Instead of focusing on how good it would feel to use again, remind yourself of how much damage addiction has caused in your life and how strong you are now.  Focusing on the downside of addiction can help you avoid relapse now.
• Medication: There are several medications available that can interfere with specific cravings, such as alcohol, opioids, and other drugs.  Talk to a medical professional in rehab about whether this is a good option for you.

If you are attending a Destin rehab, there is no reason why you can’t enjoy Hispanic Fest.  If you plan ahead to avoid triggers and utilize coping strategies, celebrations and social events can be a part of your new, sober lifestyle.