Digital Crosstalk

Alcohol-free resort launched for recovering addicts

Posted by Brian | Filed under Uncategorized

Many holidays abroad usually involve some level of alcohol consumption amongst its participants. However, Europe’s first alcohol-free holiday resort has been unveiled in Portugal, and is being aimed at recovering alcoholics.

A report in the Telegraph says that Renovatio – the company behind the project – is to launch the service – called ‘Sober Holidays’ – with the aim of providing holidaymakers with a ‘safe, supportive environment’ which it claims is not available at other resorts.

Fashioned from a restored 19th-century villa, the resort property is situated on the Algarve near to Faro airport and will open for business from April. The resort will offer a host of activities from mountain biking and hiking to bird-watching and tennis. The surrounding countryside also hosts 14 golf courses.

The company claims that counselling sessions are not obligatory, and they are not affiliated to any other organisiation. They will however offer access to three weekly English Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, while weekly Gamblers Anonymous and bi-weekly Narcotics Anonymous meetings will also take place locally.

Sober Holidays are open to guests with a minimum of 60 days sobriety with prices starting at €395 for a three-night break, and €595 for a five-night break. Both tariffs operate an all-inclusive board basis.

The property used by Sober Holidays is owned and operated by Andrew O’Loughlin, himself a recovering alcoholic who has been sober for four years.

“On any conventional holiday, alcohol is everywhere,” said Mr O’Loughlin. “I could not find anywhere in Europe that offered an alcohol-free environment. I’d spoken to recovering alcoholics who had not been on holiday for five years. If we can stop one person relapsing on holiday, then it’s worth it.”

Tags: Alcoholics Anonymous, holiday resorts, sober holidays