Submitted by Stuart on December 23, 2009
Pat Taylor, Executive Director of Faces & Voices of Recovery’s started the conversation! Check out:
http://pushingback.com/blogs/pushing_back/archive/2009/11/23/49259.aspx
Like other Americans, people in recovery from addiction along with their loved ones look at the approaching holiday season with a mixture of feelings and expectations. As families and friends gather, we cherish the time spent together. We also know there is more stress during the holiday season, especially if you’re early in your recovery.
So here is a suggestion during this season. Check to see if there are sober holiday parties that are family-friendly in your community. If there isn’t one, get together with friends and neighbors and plan a sober party and invite others to join you. Giving and receiving are what the holidays can be all about – giving back and receiving love from others – it’s also what recovery’s all about. Look for new ways of celebrating that embrace the spirit of holidays and build a supportive community. This holiday season could begin a life-long adventure that creates new traditions and a new life.
As recovery is a solution to addiction, people newly in recovery must sustain their health and wellbeing during the holidays by taking the time to connect with others and express gratitude for all that we have been given.
This holiday season we are also thinking of the 23 million Americans and their families who have yet to find recovery. We want them to know that there is hope for the future, that recovery can be a reality and that our wish for you is to find a path to wellness and recovery.
To share your ideas about making the holidays recovery-friendly, email us at info@facesandvoicesofecovery.org. Happy Holidays!
Pat Taylor
Executive Director
Faces & Voices of Recovery