I'm debating a trip to St Maarten in February. I am a bit worried about staying sober because let's face it superbowl weekend in the dutch indies what could possibly go wrong? Part of me wants to cancel the trip I'm not ready for the temptations, but the other voice in my head is saying sobriety is to be enjoyed. I didn't get sober just to stay home. Any tips or perspective would be appreciated.
Only you know if you are ready. It took me a year sober before I felt comfortable enough to go outside my safety bubble, after getting through the steps. Have a plan in place. A sober buddy who you can call if you get tempted. If you need to walk away from a situation, do it and don’t feel bad. Even better is have a sober friend with you.
Find a meeting!
It's beautiful there. Who gives a shĂŻt about the Superbowl when you're somewhere that beautiful? Hit some meetings, do something besides being glued to a TV watching other dudes exercise. You could do that at home!
Make the decision to not drink no matter what before you go. Then when you succeed you’ll know you can do it again next time. Hit some sobriety meetings, in person or online. Take your favorite sobriety literature and read it if your twitchy. Take a sober phone list.It’s time to live sober… go live and have fun. Every first is uncomfortable and we need to be comfortable being uncomfortable while sober. Good luck and have fun
February is in February, not today. Though I agree it is good to have a plan in place to exit a situation or what to do if tempted, do not live in February yet. Do not live in the ideas on what could possibly go wrong on your trip today when it has not happened yet. Live one day at a time each day until then, and while you're there, live each of those days one day at a time. As for it being the superbowl, it's just a day, that's it. When looking for a reason to drink, one can always find one....."well I was at a wedding, well I was golfing, well my friends all drink, well it was the weekend, well i woke up today, etc..." we can turn any day into a day to drink and make an excuse for it. Really though, it's just a day with a game on 
If there is Wi-Fi do a zoom meeting, keep in contact with sober network and do go alone if possible. I just went on a cruise for 8 days to Haiti, Puerto Rico, St Thomas and St kitts and I did perfectly fine because the people with me know me and my goals.
I would enjoy the heck out of that vacation sober. I guarantee you that they have meetings where you’re going. Also phone therapy with a sponsor works. Then there’s this app, in your pocket at all times.
I was pretty worried about making it through my wedding and honeymoon sober recently. One thing that helped me a lot was to think of all the delicious juices, mocktails, desserts, etc i was gonna to enjoy. I also got pretty excited about being able to enjoy it more without being hungover and being able to remember the trip later. What's the point of an epic vacation if you're hungover all the time or can't remember it, ya know?
Take a 5 minute cold shower everyday you’re there (start trying it now). Work on deep breathing, try some healthy exercise routine, and remember your reason for being sober. Maybe go super proud and get a t-shirt that states you’re living sober. All in all, if you go, have a great time and enjoy things for a change (because I’m not sure any of us ever truly appreciated nor enjoyed things when we were using). Make a plan of all the great experiences you’re going to have, and plan of what to do if you are put into a compromising position. Mindset is everything. 