My Strategies for Staying Sober While Living Abroad

These are the techniques I've used to avoid any temptation to drink.

Photo by Lucas George Wendt on Unsplash

Moving abroad was one of the most stressful experiences of my life.

It’s been over half a year since I left the United States, and if everything goes according to plan, I’ll be living abroad for another year and a half.

I had already been sober for over six years before making this move. Nonetheless, I was worried about how moving to another country might affect my sobriety.

Would the stress drive me to drink? Would being away from my friends and family make me more vulnerable to a relapse? Would living in a new, more alcohol-driven, culture create too much temptation?