Over the holidays surround yourself with a community that understands.
Most people describe the holidays with words, for example, such as “family,” “fun,” and “frolic” It’s expected that we look forward to the happy times between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. For the person with a history of alcohol or drug issues, however, the very holidays many people celebrate can be anything but festive. Addicted people and their loved ones need to be especially on guard for the prospect of relapse, according to a story on the website ezinearticles.com. Here are some highlights from the article: Christmas is the start of the countdown for a new year but, to many people who are alone or depressed, all the season heralds is the end of yet another year during which they may have not achieved anything at all. Cold weather doesn’t help either, it may mean that people who are depressed or unhappy become confined and insulated from the outside world and may be tempted to turn to drugs for solace. Teenagers are often left alone and unsupervised over the holidays, which means they may be visiting friends who are recreationally using drugs. Plus alcohol may also be more readily available than other times of the year. Many adolescents cite boredom for a reason that they abuse drugs, especially over the holidays and school breaks. For most folks, the time referred to as “the holidays” is associated with people reconnecting with families, enjoying themselves, and staying busy preparing holiday meals and buying gifts. Unfortunately, when someone is addicted to drugs and alcohol, this period may be a time that results in increased abuse. Drunk driving accidents spike during this season and so do overdoses, suicides, and increased numbers of domestic abuse cases. Illicit drugs are often found to be the cause in many of these situations and account for about one third of unnecessary suicides. Families that contain known drug abusers or people in recovery should keep these loved ones engaged and as busy as possible. Many drug addicts just can’t handle the stress of the holidays for any number of reasons, so these people should never be left alone. It may be difficult, but someone who has a problem needs to be in a safe, caring environment, so they are not tempted into drug abuse over the holidays. The Right Step provides just such a an environment – not only as one of the nation’s premier alcohol- and drug-treatment facilities, but through its heralded Alumni Program. This social-support network is composed of people who have battled addiction, received treatment for substance abuse, and are now going about living productive, sober lives. Any time, but especially during the holidays, this community of people in recovery is on the ready to talk, to listen, and to encourage fellow addicts who are struggling with the temptation to regress. For more information about The Right Step’s Alumni Services program, call 844-877-1781, or check out the Alumni page.
