Travel Addicts Anonymous (TAA)
A fly-on-the-wall insight into a meeting of hope, community and recovery
“Hi my name is Sam and I'm an addict.”
“Hi Sam!” Chorus the other members of the group, sat in a circle drinking coffee and eating donuts.
“I'd occasionally go on Skyscanner at eleven o'clock at night. I just couldn't sleep until I'd looked at various different flight combinations between here and South America.”
“Sometimes I'd just book something while pumped up on the travel bug. I'd wake up in the morning groggy, wondering what even happened last night. Then I'd have a flashback to booking a sale flight on Emirates and it would all come flooding back. I'd check my bank statement and sure enough, there was an aeroplane sized financial hole staring at me.”
“It's okay Sam, you’re in a safe space here, we've all been there too.” The warm words of the moderator, Larry, always managed to soothe the room of ex-junkies.
“Hey fellas and ladies, my name is Jimmy.”
“Hey Jimmy!” The group mirrors back.
“I once made a decision to fly to the other side of the world. I sold all my stuff that week... and just jumped on a plane. I remember how nervous and excited I felt. There was a tingling in my balls with anticipation and excitement at getting my hit. I couldn't sleep all week and then the day of departure arrived. I cleared customs and felt so alive. Free. High.”
“Thanks for sharing your story of addiction Jimmy. It's not easy to come here and be vulnerable in front of a group. Stay strong.” Larry pats Jimmy on the back as the tears of shame now flow down his face.
“Hi Everyone, I'm Apple.”
“Hi Apple!”
“I travelled to India to find myself and spent two years living in a mud hut under the guidance of a spiritual Yogi. We fell in love. It was so magical. I then found out that the master Yogi 'fell in love' with most of the women living in the community. Once I left the group, I volunteered at a school in Mozambique. I've done a bunch of other travel things. I just needed to get these things off my chest for now.”
“It can't have been easy to have your trust broken like that by the Yogi.” Empathises Larry. “You look like you need a hug.” Apple is embraced warmly by the group leader. He strokes her hena tattooed arm softly.
“G'day all, I'm Dave.”
“G'day Dave!”
“I've been travelling for twenty five years. Had the time of my life. I've been to sixty countries. Sailed a catamaran around the Pacific. Hiked active volcanoes in Iceland. Been a tour guide in Peru to Machu Picchu and lived in a school bus for two years driving around North America. I quit travelling one year ago and to be honest, life is pretty shit now.”
“That's the addiction speaking Dave. Once the travelling has ended, we can feel like nothing makes sense anymore. The highs aren't forthcoming. It takes time for our brain to rewire and heal from the dopamine spikes.” Larry was good at his job and always knew what to say.
“But Larry, what if travelling isn't an addiction. What if it's just a fantastic way to fill in our short time on this planet? I mean, I've always been a happy guy travelling and meeting people from different cultures. I really only stopped travelling because I thought I better buy a house. I'm sick of mowing the damn lawn Larry and my neighbours? They're dickheads.”
“I love planning holidays” shouts Sam excitedly, spilling his coffee in the process.
“Flying somewhere new always reinvigorated me.” exclaimed Jimmy as he jumps up from his chair.
“I'm still in love with Yogi Maharanda.” cries Apple.
“Wait everyone, remember why we're here. We need to support each other in overcoming these addictive behaviours.” Larry attempts to calm the restless mob.
“Fuck that!” barks Dave. “I'm going home to put the house on the market and I'm booking a trip to Norway to see the Northern Lights.”
“I’m re-downloading the Skyscanner app. Tonight’s gonna be a holiday planning bender.” states Sam with a manical smile.
“I’m heading straight to the airport and jumping on the first plane outta here. My balls are tingling!” shrieks Jimmy.
“I’m flying back to India - for love.” Apple purrs with a sparkle in her eyes.
“Oh bugger it! Let's get out of here. I've been running these meetings for five years and haven't left the city limits. I'm off to Columbia.” declares Larry. “This meeting is over. Let's go and live some bloody life out there. Lets get high!”
* Special thanks to the Westside chapter of TAA for allowing me to attend and report on the last meeting they ever held.