Sober Summer Fun

The last final is almost over and with one more pencil stroke you bubble in that answer, hand in your test, and walk through the double doors to freedom. The sunshine of summer greets you as you head off to 2 months of no homework and no waking up early. Infinite possibilities lay ahead of you and as you feel your shoulders relax, the tension of weeks of studying finally leave your body, and you take in a deep breath of the warm summer air. The world seems perfect, and you are without a care knowing that the next couple of months are going to be great.

For most teens finishing up school and heading into summer can be one of the greatest joys in life. After 10 months of working hard there is finally a much-needed reprieve and with that reprieve, they are able to recharge their batteries for another year of school. However, all of the free time that summer offers do come with its drawbacks as many teens engage in drinking or experimenting with other recreational drugs. For a parent there are definite signs to be aware of should that become a problem. A 2012 study showed that first time teen alcohol or drug use usually peaks in the summer, meaning that majority of teens are experimenting with these substances for the first time during the months that they are out of school. Another recent study showed that 58.2% of teens have experimented with drinking in the last year and 35% have smoked marijuana. While some teens may see their experimenting with drinking or drugging as a right of passage into “adulthood”, others may feel the allure towards using substances because they are not aware of alternative activities that they can engage in during the summer.

There is another sort of teen that could benefit from knowing sober activities that they could partake in over the summer, and that is teens that have had a problem with drugs or alcohol and are now sober. Being sober as a teenager can be an alienating experience, as you witness your friends drinking and drugging with impunity, something that you know you can longer do. Chances are a majority of your friends may still be drinking or drugging and so hanging out with them is not really an option. To teens in this position, the months of no school in the summer can offer a unique challenge as all of that downtime can result in a person slipping back into old habits.

So if you are a teen who is just looking for an alternative to drinking or drugging this summer, or you are a teen who has battled your addiction and wants to continue with your sobriety, below are some sober fun activities that you can engage in this summer.

Go to the beach

If you happen to live in one of the many states in this country that afford you access to the ocean then make full usage of this ability and head to the beach. This can be difficult sometimes for a teen, especially if you don’t have a car or your parents aren’t too keen on you taking the car that far, but if you plan it out you can make it happen. For most places in the country the beach is only a viable option for a couple months out of the year, so with the summer heat beating down, go to the beach and get your tan on, while cooling down in the ocean. Besides just generally being a pleasant experience laying out in the sun for a while also has a number of positive health effects, including promoting weight loss and reducing anxiety.

Go to a movie

On the opposite end of the spectrum from going to the beach is going to a movie. The summer is usually a time when the best movies throughout the year are released and it can also be a great place to escape the summer heat for a couple of hours. I always remember loving leaving the movies during the day in the summer when I was a teen. It was like coming out of an alternate reality back into the world and it can be a great way to stave off any boredom that may occur during the summer.

Go for a hike or get out into nature

Enough cannot be said about getting out of the house and getting out into nature. With the advent of video games and the Internet this favorite pastime has become increasingly scarce, so use the time you have this summer to get out into nature again. If you live somewhere where you have access to hiking trails then take advantage of them and get some friends and go for a hike. Shut off your electronics when you’re on the hike and although it’ll feel uncomfortable at first, you’ll discover there are a number of benefits to being outside and not trapped looking at a screen.

Go to a concert

This suggestion may sound absurd as concerts are generally known as places where people drink and drug to excess, but you don’t need to avoid places in order to have sober fun. For those teens for are sober due to their previous issues with drugs and alcohol, you may want to check your motives and make sure you are strong enough to not give into urges before going to a concert, but if you are, you will find just how amazing going to a concert sober can be. There are few things in life that can invigorate a person like live music can, especially when the weather is beautiful and you’re outside.

Take up a hobby

The summer usually offers more free time then teens have throughout the year, so make use of the time wisely and take up a hobby that you’ve always wanted to try. Whether that is learning a musical instrument, playing a sport, learning to fish, or any other number of imaginable activities. Take the time in the summer to learn and enjoy these things and you surely won’t regret it.

While this list only has a few suggestions for sober activities you can engage in during the summer, the possibilities are endless. Remember that you don’t need to drink or use drugs to have fun, so stay safe this summer and try to enjoy your free time to the utmost.

Rose Lockinger is passionate member of the recovery community. A rebel who found her cause, she uses blogging and social media to raise the awareness about the disease of addiction. She has visited all over North and South America. Single mom to two beautiful children she has learned parenting is without a doubt the most rewarding job in the world. Currently the Outreach Director at Stodzy Internet Marketing.

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