For families affected by substance misuse and addiction, Thanksgiving and Christmas can be the hardest times of the year. The holidays often come with high expectations and stress that can magnify family prob-lems, especially when alcohol or other drug use is involved. And if any family member is struggling with addiction, there may be particularly complex layers of unpredictability, guilt and uncertainty about how to interact with them.
The best approach to the holi days for families affected by addic-tion is the same approach that is recommended year-round. Remem-ber that you didn’t cause your loved one’s addiction, you can’t con-trol it and you can’t cure it. What you can do is detach from the illness while still loving the person who is sick. Set healthy boundaries and encourage any efforts to…
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The Joys Of Christmas (Digital) - 1 Issue, 2021