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Recovery in the News
Holidays Can Be Tough For Those Recovering From Addictions
Foster Folly News
November 24, 2009
WASHINGTON – The holiday season, a time of joy and celebration, also poses daunting challenges for over 10 million American s in recovery from addiction. As the season begins , the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy i s launching an awarene s s campaign asking families , friends and communitie s to offer support and encouragement to those in recovery.
“Substance abuse affect s million s of American s , their familie s and their communities , at all levels of our society,” said ONDCP Director Gil Kerlikowske. “Many who have s truggled with addiction have made the courageous decision to seek help and begin the promising path to recovery.
“However, at this time of year, those in recovery often face many of the same stresses and emotions that once contributed to their substance abuse. But with the help of family, friends and community, those in recovery can win the daily struggle to remain clean and sober and emerge from the holidays on course for a continuing recovery,” Kerlikowske said.
In 2008, an estimated 23.1 million people age 12 and older were in need of treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem. Of those people, 2.3 million received treatment at a specialty facility. Experts believe that the holiday period often brings special stresses to bear on recovering people that can trigger relapse.
ONDCP Deputy Director Dr. Thoma s McLellan, a res pected expert on addiction and treatment, said there are s everal reasons the holidays pose particular challenges to people recovering from addiction.
At holiday parties and celebrations , often there is substantial substance use and abuse, with accompanying social pressure to join in, he said.
“That’ s tough: you have all the cues there, the subs tance is accessible, and its use is encouraged,”
said Dr. McLellan. “It’ s a triple threat for someone trying to sustain a recovery.”
Also, many people feel lonely and depressed around the holidays , often more than at other times of the year, Dr. McLellan said. Holiday reunions of family and friends often bring the joys of love and companionship, but can also create stress and tension for some people.
“Those can be triggers to slide back into substance abusing behavior,” Dr. McLellan said.
Recovery Information
Recovery Resource s : www.Facesandvoicesofrecovery.org
SAMSHA 24-hour toll-free Treatment and Referral Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
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