Thoughts on addiction, immoderation, and Christmas.
The Season to be Jolly Careful
[Paula Goodyer,
Sydney Morning Herald]
“More parties, more time with family and less time at work help make
Christmas special, but these ingredients can also make it harder for
anyone trying to rein in their eating, drinking or drug use….”
Addiction During the Holidays: Recovered or Not, It’s Important to be Prepared
[Adi Jaffe,
Psychology Today]
“The holidays are a stressful time for everyone. Between gift-giving,
travel, and keeping up with all parts of the ever-complicated modern
family unit, nearly anyone can find themselves driven towards the
nearest coping mechanism, whatever that may be….”
Families and Addiction: Surviving the Season of Stress
[Christina Reardon,
Social Work Today]
“The holidays usually evoke images of family bliss: —Uncle Joe carving
up a big turkey for a traditional family dinner, Aunt Mary bestowing her
wonderful gifts, Grandmom sharing cherished stories with the children.
The reality is that this dreamy scene usually is nothing more than
that—a dream. For many families, the holidays can be a time of great
anguish, strife, and overindulgent behavior that is later regretted….”
Addiction and the Holidays
[Danielle B. Grossman, PsychCentral]
“Ah, the holidays: Candy canes, cozy slippers, festive lights, family
peace, marital joy, and grateful children. Or not. The holidays are
stressful. There are the challenges of too much family, not enough
family, not enough money, continual exposure to food and alcohol, and
perhaps worst of all, the gap between our actual life and our fantasy
life….”
Rehab for the Holidays
[Nic Sheff, The Fix]
“It’s no big revelation to say that the holidays can fucking suck—and that being around family can be stressful as hell….”
Tips for Preventing the Holiday Blues, Staying Sober
[Hazelden]
“Most people know the holidays can be a period of emotional highs and
lows. Loneliness, anxiety, happiness and sadness are common feelings,
sometimes experienced in startling succession. The bad news is the
holiday blues can trigger relapse for people recovering from alcoholism
and other drug addiction. The good news is the blues can be remedied by
planning ahead….”
Addiction and Christmas Chaos
[Candace Plattor,
Vancouver Observer]
“Even before Halloween came and went, I noticed that several of my
clients were already becoming quite antsy about the upcoming holiday
season—for a variety of reasons. People who struggle with addictive
behaviors—anything from drugs and alcohol to eating disorders, gambling,
sex addiction, or relationship addiction—wondered if they would be able
to maintain their sobriety when they began to actually feel the
loneliness, fear, and isolation that they had used these behaviors and
substances to avoid experiencing….”
The Holidays and “Food Addiction”
[Vicky Hallett,
Washington Post]
“If Santa really does stuff his face with every cookie he encounters
after shimmying down those chimneys, that explains the big belly. But
health and fitness expert Pam Peeke might say Saint Nick's behavior also
could be a sign of something commonly found south of the North Pole:
food addiction….”
Holiday Season Can Trigger Substance Abuse
[WIBW, Topeka]
“The holiday season is a busy and stressful time. All the festivities -
and preparing for them - also can bring a spike in substance abuse.
Stormont-Vail West chemical dependency counselor Fiana Martin says
alcohol is commonly served at celebrations this time of year. But she
says people recovering from addiction don't have to miss out on the fun
if they arrive with what she calls a safety plan….”
Graphics Credit:
http://doterrablog.com/
