Hey, I’m Mike. I’m 34 years old, three years into my ice climbing obsession, and almost six years sober. If you met me at a party before I got sober, you probably thought one of two things: “This guy’s hilarious!” or “Wow, this guy needs to chill.” I was always the loudest one in the room, the guy cracking jokes, challenging people to arm wrestle for no reason, and somehow always ending up wearing a lampshade on my head by the end of the night.

Camping can be a fun and exciting way to spend time in nature and reconnect with oneself. However, for those in recovery, camping can also pose unique challenges to maintaining sobriety. Being in a new environment, away from familiar routines and support systems, can trigger urges to use substances. To help ensure a safe and sober camping experience, here are 10 things to do to keep your sobriety safe when camping.