I just wanted to send out a message to everyone who might not have any close family, friends, partners, or a safe and emotionally supportive environment to spend the holidays. I just spent Thanksgiving with my girlfriends parents recently, and both are active alcoholics. It was tough, but I tried to prepare myself to turn down, offers for drinks, etc. peer pressure from family, colleagues, and elders does not make it any less dangerous to the recovering alcoholic or addict!
Just know that you are not alone, even if you feel that way. And stay vigilant; I have been told that the most common day that people enter rehabs is New Year’s Day and that treatment centers get very busy around other holidays.
I am over four years sober, but found myself triggered for the first time in a while recently! So I’m putting on my armor. I can’t remember if it was a movie or what… But let’s just say, even if I were invited to one, I might avoid parties where I feel like the only sober person there.
Alcohol is advertised everywhere, sexualized, and sensationalized. But it has and always will be poison to the mind and the body – especially in excess.
Please feel free to reach out (to me, or someone in your peer support network) if you want to chat. My personal schedule makes it so that I can’t facilitate any meetings in person or to participate in service the same way I did before the pandemic. I love when people come to me for advice, or even just to complain! So have a wonderful rest of the year and remember how lucky we all are to be on this healing path, no matter how painful it is.
Love to all of you and plan ahead if you think you may be in triggering environments.
Justin C.