Thankfulness

If you find yourself in treatment for a substance abuse problem over the holidays, it may be hard at first to find something to be thankful for. You may resent the restrictions or those who urged you to enter treatment. You may be angry at the people who hurt you through the years, leading you to want to numb your feelings with alcohol or drugs. But before you begin the pity party, try taking a look at all there is to be thankful for today (yes, I said "today").

You don't need to wait until you’re released from treatment to be grateful for all you have. From the opportunity each day provides for clean living to the nature outside your window to the food that is helping nourish your body and repair the damage abuse has done, there’s plenty to be thankful for. What about the staff that is helping you through your recovery, one day or hour at a time?

For those ready to start looking toward the future, what will this second chance allow you to do in the coming weeks and months? What new purpose can you find in your life? Taking time to dream and to celebrate the little victories is something addiction doesn't allow for. Now that you’re on the road to recovery, you can do just that.

Here Come the Holidays!

Dealing with the fear and dread faced by recovering

addicts as they head home for the holidays.

The clearance Halloween candy is gone from store shelves and that can mean only one thing: The holidays are officially on their way!

While the thought of Christmas has the kids eargerly counting the days until it's arrival, for those in recovery, the visions it conjures up are about as far from dancing sugarplums as you can get.

You know what I mean.

Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza... they can bring about an overwhelming sense of dread because they also mean extended periods of "family time." Who knows? Maybe your family is the perfect modern version of a Norman Rockwell painting. More likely, that perfect family scene has been colored by divorce, substance abuse, anger, disillusionment or other dysfunction.

So as you head into the holidays, prepare yourself. Work your program, stay connected to others in your situtation, touch base with those who've already been through what you're facing, and, most importantly, don't forget to serve yourself up a heaping helping of grace.