Holiday season tough for recovering addicts

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- For some, the holiday season is the best time of the year. For others, it can be the hardest.

The holiday season is known for food, time with family, and parties. Muskingum Behavioral Health CEO Steve Carrel said this is not an easy time of year for people with drug or alcohol-related problems. He said the biggest problem is that most of the special holiday events going on, center around alcohol.

“Well, the safe environment is not having alcohol as the centerpiece. Have food as the centerpiece,” said Carrel. “Have readily available non-alcoholic beverages because a lot of time even people who maybe causal or social drinkers maybe they’ll go gravitate that direction just because they’re readily available. Keep things low key”

Carrel said the person who is in drug recovery also needs to plan ahead. He suggests taking a friend with them to prevent a chance of falling off the wagon. He said you should always have a way to leave the party if the pressure is too much.

“You don’t have to stay there if it’s too uncomfortable,” said Carrel. “It’s okay to leave. If you’re in recovery, your recovery has to come first because all of the things that come with not being in recovery can all come back.”

For more information, you can contact Muskingum Behavioral Health at (740) 454-1266.