Just in case you missed the Recovery in Action live presentation on November 20th, here is a summary of what we talked about with our special guest Ron Paterik, a licensed substance abuse counselor and long time friend of PAL. The session entitled Navigating the Holidays delved into how to handle added stresses associated with having a loved one suffering from substance addiction. A link to a recording of this session is below but here are some of the questions we asked Ron and some highlights of what you will hear. This is also a good time to remind you that PAL has a large library of videos on many topics on our YouTube Channel. By following this channel, you will get notified anytime we add content!
In our Navigating the Holidays session we asked Ron the following:
1) Why is it this time of year seems to be more difficult dealing with our loved ones that are in active addiction? Is it a reality that this is a difficult time for them as well? (For example, does the number of suicides go up)
2) What are appropriate things to do at Thanksgiving and or Christmas, when I feel like they need to be invited to dinner and or I need to buy them gifts?
3) We have traditions, and I don’t know what to do without them. What are some suggestions?
4) Is there a point at which you suggest someone seek professional help like counseling in addition to going to PAL, how can I know if I need to do this?
Some highlights you will hear in detail, include understanding why this time of year is particularly difficult to families dealing with addiction. However, you will hear about the use of the phrase “for now,” and how you can share with your loved one what you are looking forward to when you can get together. You will hear how setting boundaries is an act of love, how you can truly enjoy your holiday and create new traditions and how to extricate yourself from the drama and know when its time to get more help.
As Christmas is approaching, we can be pulled into our thoughts of the past when life seemed wonderful, and we desperately want to have that feeling again. Unfortunately, if we are not careful, we can undo the work we have done in setting boundaries and hopefully encouraging our loved one toward the help we know they need. Finding hope and help during this time may be the key to our loved one seeking change. Check out the video and we do hope that you have blessed Christmas and can find joy during this time of year.
Watch Recovery In Action: Navigating the Holidays
PAL Team
