Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope
Traveling, whether done for work or for leisure, can always present with many different challenges and obstacles, particularly for an individual who is recovering from sexual addiction.
Being in new environments, away from home and family, and in different surroundings can bring about triggers that may make it difficult for a person who is attempting to stay in recovery from sexual addiction.
Being able to understand and identify these triggers and planning ahead of time can better prepare an individual for success, especially when traveling or on the road.
If you have been in recovery for sexual addiction and are preparing to travel in the near future, it is important to discuss this with your therapist or counselor ahead of time. Working through and analyzing possible scenarios that can bring out triggers are important to understand ahead of time.
Prepare for Triggers
For example, are you aware of physical and emotional circumstances that may make you more likely to turn to behaviors associated with your sexual addiction? Perhaps loneliness, anxiety, stress, or depression trigger may sexual addiction behaviors. Other aspects might include being overly tired, hungry, or simply in surroundings that are strange and unfamiliar.
While it may not be possible to anticipate every situation ahead of time, simply processing and anticipating triggers can help prepare your mindset for continued recovery. It is also important to identify the type of environment that you will be in while traveling.
For example, if access to pornography is a trigger towards sexual addiction behaviors, find ways to avoid accessing this in your hotel room.
If other types of situations are triggering, such as attending night/dance clubs or going out with a certain type of crowd, prepare to have other arrangements in place for yourself during your trip.
While it may seem arduous to make these types of arrangements and plans ahead of time and prior to your trip, the time you invest into protecting your recovery will help ensure your long-term success from sexual addiction.
Having support is also an essential aspect of this. Work closely with your support group and treatment team can help provide you with the accountability you need to stay committed to your recovery.
Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!
What are some possible challenges of traveling while in recovery from sexual addiction?
Crystal Karges
Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating. Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing, Crystal serves as the Special Projects Coordinator for Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope, where her passion to help others find recovery and healing is integrated into each part of her work.
As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her work with EDH/AH and nutrition private practice.
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of addictions. These are not necessarily the views of Addiction Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Addiction Hope understand that addictions result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an addiction, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on November 17, 2015
Published on AddictionHope.com