The Recovery Travel Plan
“It is easier to avoid temptation than to resist it”
For anyone who has struggled with pornography or sexual addiction, traveling can pose numerous threats. The break in routine, lack of accountability, loneliness, boredom, and the stress of travel can make anyone more vulnerable to temptation. As a part of one’s own recovery program, a written travel plan can be a vital tool to help when traveling.
Here are a few things to consider before you go:
1. Identify your support team. Begin by identify 3-5 accountability partners. This may include a trusted friend, someone from your recovery group, your sponsor or therapist. Ask them individually if they would be willing to be a part of your support team to provide accountability while you are traveling and be available if needed. Next, create a group text and send them your Travel Plan once completed.
2. Bookend your trip. Inform your support team before you go and debrief with them when you return.
3. Location, company, purpose and dates. In your written plan, indicate where you are going, who you are traveling or meeting with, the purpose of your trip, and your dates of travel. A trip to Vegas with old college roommates who like to party will inherently have different challenges than a ski trip to the mountains with your family.
4. Identify triggers and threats. Ask yourself, “What has been problematic before, or could be a source of temptation?”. Have you struggled with objectifying women in airports or fantasized about hooking up with a stranger? Have you rented explicit movies in the hotel or had drinks at a hotel bar hoping to meet someone? Are you going to a location or seeing someone you have acted out with before? Really think this through and be honest with yourself and others as this helps you mentally and spiritually prepare for the battle.
5. Know your tools. For each potential threat, list tools you can use to combat these (3 second rule, bounce your eyes, pray for the person you find attractive, remove the TV remote from hotel room, read recovery materials, attend an in person/virtual recovery meeting, etc.). Be intentional and plan healthy activities to engage in during downtime such as exercise, daily Bible reading, and journaling.
6. Share your daily itinerary. This doesn't have to be a literal itinerary, but share scheduled events, plans and potential threats:
5am Wake up, exercise and meditation.
7am-9pm I'll be at the convention center for most of the day. Will be with female co-workers, high risk for potential triggers.
11am Having lunch with an established client, no known threats, low risk.
10pm Return to the hotel. Will turn in the remote control to the front lobby to avoid surfing movie channels, will remain in room for the remainder of the evening, no drinks at the hotel bar (or, will have 2 drink limit and only with male co-workers or mixed company).
7. Schedule check-ins. Have regularly scheduled check-ins with your support team and your spouse/family if married. Mornings, breaks, and evenings are good points to check in. Use your group text with accountability partners to ask for prayer, check in triggers, fill downtime, ask how they are doing, etc.
8. Debrief with support team. If you have worked your travel plan, your support team will already be aware of how the trip went (triggers and threats, and how you responded). It is still helpful to reflect on the trip overall. Consider what went well, what needs improvement next time you travel, and express gratitude for your support team's availability.
The next time you travel, consider writing out a Travel Plan to help you win the battle against temptation and avoid slips in your recovery. Like a toothbrush and underwear, don’t leave home without it!
If you need help with compulsive sexual behaviors, call John (832-471-7722) to set up an appointment, or find a qualified therapist in your area who specializes in the treatment of compulsive sexual behaviors.
