Entering recovery after going through addiction treatment is a huge achievement. It takes a lot of effort, determination, courage and more to get yourself back to a place where you feel happy, healthy and on a more positive journey.

Leaving drug rehab and entering recovery can feel like a time for celebrating, but it’s also a period of time when you do have to be cautious too. That said, there’s no reason you can’t combine the two.

As you start to become more confident and comfortable with recovery, you may start thinking about treating yourself to a holiday. In the first instances of recovery it’s important to develop a routine, but once you’ve got that, there’s no reason you can’t head out on adventures, explore the world and enjoy a bit of excitement.

However, you may also need to be careful, as some countries lend themselves much better to travelling in recovery than others. And it’s those others you want to be worried about.

So, if you are planning on travelling in the coming months having entered recovery, here are five countries you might want to avoid to ensure you don’t face temptation and risk relapse…

The Netherlands

The Netherlands is a country that has a liberal outlook on drugs and while many harder drugs are illegal, the availability of cannabis is something that is worth avoiding as it could not only trigger temptation but act as a gateway for other substances.

Despite the country’s natural beauty and picturesque canals, a trip to Amsterdam almost certainly shouldn’t be on the cards if you wish to maintain sobriety.

Thailand

Thailand welcomes millions of tourists each year, but for those in addiction recovery it can be difficult, particularly with the lax regulations around alcohol and the widespread availability of cheap drugs, particularly in areas that are tourist heavy such as Bangkok and the islands.

There’s also a significant party culture in the country which can also trigger temptation and lead to things getting out of hand.

That said, there are many spas and retreats in Thailand off the beaten track that may be a much better option.

Spain

Spain is a popular destination for travellers, particularly from the UK, but there is a prominent drinking culture that can make social settings difficult to navigate. That’s especially the case in the big cities and more touristy destinations such as Marbella, Benidorm and the Balaeric islands.

The accessibility of alcohol in the likes of supermarkets, combined with the acceptance of heavy drinking can make it very easy to fall into a trap.

Jamaica

You’ll probably be well aware of the cannabis culture in Jamaica and while it is illegal for recreational use, it is widely tolerated and tourists can often find themselves tempted to indulge. While cannabis isn’t considered too addictive, it can act as a gateway to harder substances which are also readily available given the island’s party scene, as well as prevalence of alcohol at social gatherings and on beaches.

Czech Republic

Finally, few countries know how to drink quite like the Czech Republic. While Prague is known for its stunning architecture, it’s also well known for its vibrant nightlife and cheap alcohol too. There are pubs and bars on every corner and the temptation can be far too great for people who are new to recovery especially.

It’s stag do central, and really not a good idea no matter how far into recovery you are.