El Paso Ranked Low in Sober Travel Index
The city scored below the national average in a new study assessing recovery-friendly travel environments.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Substance Abuse
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El Paso ranked 94th out of 100 U.S. cities in the recently released Sober Getaway Index. The ranking reflects how well cities support travelers who choose to abstain from alcohol.
Why it matters
For individuals managing sobriety, travel planning requires identifying locations with supportive infrastructure. Understanding these benchmarks can help residents assess local resources versus those in other major cities.
The index assessed 100 U.S. cities using six equally weighted factors, including binge drinking rates and access to recovery meetings. El Paso scored 33.1, trailing the national average of 43.4 and placing ahead of only Laredo among analyzed Texas cities.
The players
THE BALANCE
An addiction treatment clinic that researches and compiles wellness and recovery-focused data indexes.
The details
The ranking was compiled by the addiction treatment clinic THE BALANCE using data from sources like the CDC and the U.S. Census Bureau. Researchers analyzed six factors to measure the recovery-friendliness of a city, including binge drinking prevalence and the density of local parks. Access to recovery meeting directories and business infrastructure were also primary metrics in the final calculation.
Timeline
The Sober Getaway Index was released in October 2026.
Health Landscape
This analysis reflects an emerging trend in measuring urban health through the lens of recovery-friendly infrastructure. It provides a comparative benchmark for cities to address gaps in alcohol-free amenities and community support services.
If you are managing your sobriety while traveling or locally, consider prioritizing destinations or neighborhoods with high access to parks and recovery meeting networks. Discussing your specific environmental support needs with your doctor can help you build a robust, low-risk plan for your health.
The takeaway
Understanding the availability of alcohol-free amenities and recovery resources is a vital part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Tracking your personal triggers in various environments can help you identify which local settings best support your commitment to long-term sobriety.
Further reading
Find more information on how to support personal wellness and local recovery resources in our Substance Abuse section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KFOX.
Live Poll
Should cities prioritize creating more sober-friendly travel activities for visitors?
