Prioritizing Sobriety while on the Move
The opposite of addiction is connection.
Joahnn Harri
Moving cities, or in my case countries, is disorienting for anyone, but prioritizing my sobriety in every situation I find myself in, especially while traveling, is a priority and grounds me regardless of circumstance. In the past seven days of my moving, I’ve leaned into the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step Recovery Process to ensure my sobriety remains central despite the hecticness of setting up in a new city. My Sobriety journey, now in its third year, has been marked by a relapse and a few lapses. Still, the path forward is being built on resilience, connection, and practicing the steps in my everyday life.
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
STEP ONE, FINDING MY TRIBE.
If alcohol and substance abuse were your addictions like me, then Googling an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meeting in any new city you find yourself in gives you the opportunity to find spaces where you meet fellow recovering alcoholics and addicts, and here is where sharing experiences will transform strangers into allies.
Regretfully, I haven’t had the time to attend any in-person meetings because of logistical challenges associated with moving, I however made virtual meetings a priority. These meetings (physical or In-Person) always remind me that recovery thrives in community, even across time zones.
STEP TWO, RE-CONNECTING WITH SOBER FRIENDS AND AQUAINTENCES
Here I am a week after my hectic relocation accross countries, and I’m on a train from Nairobi to Mombasa, visiting a wonderful couple I met at a recent Recovery Convention. This will be a week of sharing recovery stories, reflecting, learning and rejuvenating together, whilst making a bit of time to enjoy the coast. Sobriety isn’t just abstinence after all, I have come to discover it’s a lifestyle of connection, growth, and intention.
CALL TO ACTION
To you, my fellow recovering alcoholic and addict, if you are navigating recovery while moving localities, find a local AA or NA group ASAP. Begin attending meetings, virtual or in-person ASAP.
To you, the caregiver, colleague, and friends, encourage those you know to be struggling with addiction and alcoholism to take the above step.
CONCLUSION
Sobriety is about building a life worth living—one day at a time, one meaningful connection at a time.
