Finding Recovery During the Holidays
Finding Recovery During the Holidays
“Who wants to spend Christmas in rehab?” That common thought runs through the minds of most every person battling alcohol or drug addiction. Although, after denial is pushed to the side, the thought really turns into: “who wants to spend Valentine’s Day, Fourth of July, my neighbor’s birthday, Monday, etc. in rehab?” The truth is every day turns into a holiday; the holidays just provide a warm, cushiony excuse to do what we do every other day.
If the phrases “this is just what my family does during the holidays, we all drink like this” or “I need this hit right now, don’t you see how my family is? No one would be able to be around them without drugs!” resonate, that should be a good indicator of what I mean. The horror stories are out there and well published: “Johnny just wanted to use one more time. He just wanted to spend the holidays at home before going into treatment. But that was his last time…” The stories are true; they hit close to home and should be in the back of everyone’s mind.
I know what you’re thinking. That would never happen to us, we’re smarter than that and way more experienced. However, on another note, if alcoholism and/or addiction rammed its head into your life successfully, the holidays are bound to be a battle of criticism and disapproving looks at the very least. “It’s 7am and we’ve just started opening presents, do you really need to be doing that right now?” Families know, whether you’re drinking your coffee with a little hint of rum or sneaking off into the bathroom because you “have a really small bladder” just to keep the shaking away, they know what’s going on. Believe me, the best Christmas present to families is sobriety. Otherwise, they’re not really spending time with their daughter, son, mother, father, sister, brother; they’re spending time with a ghost of who they used to be.
Besides, most inpatient facilities put on something special for the holidays because addicts really aren’t cold and heartless. At Lakeview Health, we have our chef prepare a delicious Christmas meal for the patients and families to enjoy while they visit with each other, exchange gifts, and celebrate. Arguably, rehab is the best place to spend your first sober Christmas; family drama will be kept to a minimum, you’ll be in a supportive, sober environment, and no cleanup! Recovery is never easy no matter what time of year it’s pursued (if it were easy, everyone would be doing it!). There will always be barriers to getting treatment and taking the first step to a better life, the bottom line is that it’s worth it; that you’re worth it.
