Holiday Season Often Difficult For Those Struggling With Addiction

Dec. 12, 2010 - PRLog -- The holiday season can be a tough time for those struggling with addiction issues and for families with loved ones struggling with a substance abuse issue.

Challenges Addiction and Relapse Prevention Treatment in Fort Lauderdale, Florida is considered one of the top facilities for addiction treatment and the prevention of addiction relapse.  Some of the experts at Challenges offer some advice on how to handle the holiday season if you or someone you love is struggling with addiction issues:

Dr. Jeffrey Huttman, Chief Clinical Officer of Challenges, says that the holidays are hard for people in recovery:

“Holidays are family oriented and there are many family functions during the holiday season. For many of our clients, addiction is often tied with family issues.  It’s very important for those struggling with addiction or for people in recovery after addiction to take extra care during the holidays. Don’t set yourself up for failure---plan ahead and make your decision to remain abstinent clear to family and friends whenever possible in order to minimize exposure to alcohol or other drugs.”

To prevent addiction relapse, Challenges Dr. Huttman offers these tips:

Host a dry (alcohol and drug free) holiday gathering in your home

Get together with recovering friends and family.

Do not miss your support AA or NA group meetings. If anything, go to extra meetings during the holiday season. There are often 24 hour AA/NA meeting rooms set up during the holidays for support at any hour.  

Be good to yourself and remember to take things one day at a time.

If you have a loved one with addiction issues, the experts at Challenges offer these tips:

The most important thing is to establish boundaries.  Keep it very simple and choose boundaries that MUST be adhered to by the alcoholic/addict or they will not be welcome at the holiday gathering. Consider eliminating alcohol from holiday gatherings if your loved one is in early recovery.


Plan ahead and make a plan to set up boundaries prior to the holiday.

Stick to your plan and hold to your boundaries. If the addict or alcoholic doesn’t uphold their part of the bargain, follow through.

Links
Challenges Media Overview http://www.challenges-program.com/media-overview

Challenges' website: http://www.challenges-program.com

CONTACT INFORMATION

If you are a member of the media interested in interviewing one of the doctors or experts on the Challenges Addiction and Relapse Prevention Treatment Center staff, please contact Michelle Lamar or Shelly Kramer at V3 Integrated Marketing. Contact us at info@v3im.com or call 816-200-2520.

If you are not a member of the media and you are interested in learning more about Challenges’ addiction and relapse prevention programs, please contact us by phone at 888-755-3334 or online at http://www.challenges-program.com.  The team at Challenges is available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Challenges Addiction and Relapse Prevention Treatment Center
5100 Coconut Creek Parkway
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33063
(888) 755-3334 Toll Free