Spring Break: Staying Safe and Sober

Nashville, TN (PRWEB) March 18, 2013

Spring Break marks one of the biggest periods of binge drinking each year – when young adults from all over the county head south for a week of vacation and partying with friends. For many people, Spring Break can mean social drinking, often to dangerous excess.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one in six U.S. adults binge drinks about four times a month, consuming about eight drinks per binge. About 90 percent of the alcohol consumed by youth under the age of 21 in the United States is in the form of binge drinks.

“For those struggling to face the realities of their drinking habits, a week on vacation can easily lead to binge drinking and dangerous behavior, which can eventually lead to an addiction problem with alcohol,” said Michael Cartwright, founder and chairman of American Addiction Centers, a national behavioral healthcare provider focused on addiction treatment and rehabilitation through dual diagnosis.

According to Cartwright, who successfully overcame his own addiction and is now helping others do the same through American Addiction Centers, there are a number of ways to deal with binge drinking and the pressures to drink and use drugs on Spring Break.

There are a few simple strategies that can keep your Spring Break safe and sober. Here are a few tips:

• Take a trip with non-drinkers – Peer pressure and enabling are big factors when it comes to binge drinking. If you have friends that have demonstrated a history of dangerous behavior, they may not be the best travel companions.
• Go on a spa outing or nature hike – Find a vacation option that centers on an activity that is not alcohol related. Busying yourself with a highly relaxing or stimulating activity will leave little time for over-indulgence.
• Avoid trips where alcohol is included in the package – Many Spring Break packages are “all inclusive” and do not charge for alcoholic beverages. Avoid taking trips where alcohol is readily available.
• Have an exit strategy – Wherever you vacation, chances are you will encounter a tempting situation. Have a plan in place to remove yourself from these situations like excusing yourself to your hotel room, going on a walk or finding a local support group.
• Stick to your daily routine – Breaking out of your normal routine can often lead to lapses in judgment. Stick to your daily routine of exercise, diet and any other normal practices as much as possible in order to avoid tempting situations.

“As a former addict who has helped thousands of other addicts, I know that environments like Spring Break can lead to temptation and enabling,” said Cartwright, author of the book Believable Hope. “It’s important to recognize dangerous behavior and, if necessary, come up with ways to avoid these situations and develop a new mindset that allows for positive change.”

The Academy, part of the American Addiction Centers network, is a substance abuse and recovery center that provides adolescents with treatment tailored to the need of young adults. The Academy, focuses on providing adolescent patients tailored treatment to address academics, family, peer relationships and other areas of their life as they continue to mature and their brains develop.

The decision to enter addiction treatment may be the most difficult decision a person will ever face – but it will also be the best. Call 1-888-300-3332 or visit AmericanAddictionCenters.com to learn more about American Addiction Centers’ philosophy, program and treatment options. Begin your path toward recovery today.

About Michael Cartwright
Michael Cartwright is the Chairman and co-founder of American Addiction Centers, and author of Believable Hope. With nearly 20 years of experience and participation in 15 federally funded research studies on dual diagnosis and addiction, he is an established behavioral healthcare expert and addiction industry trailblazer.

About American Addiction Centers
American Addiction Centers combines unwavering passion, the finest experts in the field and decades of experience to end suffering from addiction and save lives. American Addiction Centers is poised to redefine the behavioral healthcare, addiction treatment and rehabilitation industries across the nation by providing the most comprehensive and cutting-edge suite of treatment-related services to the masses. American Addiction Centers’ growing team of professional service providers are committed to providing their patients with unmatched clinical care in each of their locations. Founded in 2012 by addiction pioneers Michael Cartwright and Jerrod Menz, American Addiction Centers was created to provide exceptional addiction treatment and rehabilitative services to those in need. To learn more about our programs or to get help now, visit http://www.americanaddictioncenters.com.

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